Goodbye Means Never Again

On Christmas Eve, while her husband takes their son to watch fireworks with his first love, Justine Payne finally makes up her mind—she's getting a divorce. They've been married for five years. To everyone else, she's the lucky woman with the perfect life. She has a devoted husband and a smart, adorable son. But only she knows the truth—her husband has never let go of his first love. Even worse, the child she nearly died giving birth to can't wait to replace her with someone else. So, Justine decides to set them both free—a husband whose heart doesn't truly belong to her and a son who can't wait to replace her. She refuses to keep holding on to love that isn't returned. Chapter 1 The fireworks burst in rapid succession outside the window, breaking the silence of the night. Justine Payne blinked back to reality. She ran her fingers over the divorce agreement in her hand, then slowly picked up a pen and signed her name. Tonight was Christmas Eve, but neither her husband nor her son had come home. A message buzzed on her phone. It was from her husband, Noah Oliver. "Out with clients. I asked my assistant to watch Gavi for a bit. After dinner, I'll take him to see the fireworks. Don't wait up—get some rest." Justine pulled the corners of her lips into a faint, mocking smile. Noah wasn't with a client, and he hadn't taken their son, Gavin, to see fireworks just for fun. Justine knew exactly where they were and who they were with. There was no need to ask, no need to investigate. Noah and Gavin were spending Christmas Eve with that woman, Hazel Gilbert. Her gaze landed on the large family portrait hanging in the living room. Noah was holding Gavin in one arm while the other was wrapped around her waist. Noah kissed her cheek while Gavin pressed a kiss to her forehead. Her face was glowing with happiness; Gavin was laughing freely; even Noah, who always wore a stoic expression, looked gentle. To anyone else, they looked like the perfect family of three. But everything changed the moment Hazel came back. Just as fireworks lit up the sky again, Justine's phone buzzed. She had been sent a video. Hazel had filmed the backs of Noah and Gavin, the two of them walking side by side. The diamond ring on her finger sparkled blindingly as she held the camera. The three of them shouted together, "Merry Christmas!" Then, Noah turned around, his eyes warm as he said softly to Hazel, "Starting this year, I'll never miss another Christmas with you." That kind of tenderness… He had never shown it to Justine. Even during the two most passionate years of their marriage, through anniversaries and holidays, all he had ever given her was a brief kiss on the forehead and a cold, mechanical "Thanks". Justine had always thought Noah was like a statue—distant and unfeeling. Now, she knew better. He wasn't cold; he just never warmed up to her. Hazel was the one who got his tenderness. She closed the video. As the last of the fireworks sizzled out in the distance, she typed a message to Noah. "Come home early. We're visiting your parents' grave tomorrow." This was the last time she would fulfill her duty as a daughter-in-law. In one month, they would be strangers. This ridiculous, one-sided marriage was finally coming to an end. She didn't know how long she sat there before the front door opened. Noah paused in the doorway, surprised to see Justine still in the living room. His gaze flicked to the dining table, where a full Christmas Eve dinner sat untouched. Still, his expression remained unreadable. "Can't even get peace on Christmas. What a buzzkill." A sharp, youthful voice echoed behind him. Gavin stormed inside, kicking his shoes off in two opposing directions. His heavy steps thudded noisily against the hardwood floor. Justine couldn't help but remind him, "It's late. Keep it down." That only made Gavin angrier, and he shouted back, "You're not the boss of me! You're a freak!" Then, his eyes dropped to her right hand, and his face twisted with disgust. "You've only got three fingers. Freak." Justine instinctively pulled her right hand back. The hand, missing both her ring and pinky fingers, trembled slightly. No matter how determined she was to leave them behind, the cruelty in her son's words still cut deep. For a moment, she couldn't breathe. Noah stood by silently, not saying a single word to stop Gavin. He let the son she carried for nine months, the child she nearly died giving birth to, humiliate her like this. A door slammed upstairs. Gavin had stormed into his room, slamming it with so much force that it shook the walls. Only then did Noah finally move. He stepped into the living room and spoke with a hint of irritation. "It's Christmas; everyone's celebrating. A little noise doesn't matter. You always make a big deal out of nothing. No wonder Gavi doesn't like you." Justine gave a cold, mocking smile. "What if someone downstairs is spending Christmas alone, just like me? Maybe they just want a quiet night." Her words seemed to catch Noah off guard. For a second, guilt flickered across his face as he glanced at the untouched table full of food. Her tone stayed indifferent. "As for Gavin… Do you really think he hates me for no reason? Or could it be that someone's spouting poison in his ear, teaching him to resent me?" Noah froze. Whatever guilt he had vanished instantly. His brows creased, and his voice turned sharp. "Are you talking about Hazel? I came home out of kindness to keep you company, and this is how you thank me?" Justine looked at his angry expression, finding it pathetic and ridiculous. She said nothing. Instead, she turned and picked up the signed divorce agreement, then headed toward the walk-in closet that had become her bedroom. Gavin had refused to let her sleep in any other room, and Noah let him have his way. So, the walk-in closet—cramped and lined with nothing but her clothes—became her final refuge. As she shut the door behind her, the crash of plates hitting the floor echoed from the dining room. She locked the door with a blank expression, pretending she heard nothing. She wasn't going to indulge them anymore. After all, she had no reason to keep forgiving strangers. Chapter 2 Early the next morning, Justine was already up and dressed. She had washed up and changed into the black formal suit she pulled out last night. She looked in the mirror—at her pale face and hollow eyes—and nearly laughed. She really did look like someone going to a graveyard. As soon as she stepped into the living room, Gavin clicked his tongue loudly. He grabbed his half-finished bowl and purposely bumped into her. The chowder spilled on her blouse, soaking through the fabric. He smirked, his voice thick with mockery. "Disgusting." Justine looked at the boy who used to be sweet and well-mannered but was now brash and mean-spirited. The sight filled her with a deep, quiet sorrow. She had fought tooth and nail to give him the best—tracking down elite tutors and even standing in the pouring rain to beg one of them to take him on. She had burned with fever for three days afterward. At the time, she thought she was paving a path for him to grow into someone kind and upright. She had no idea that a few poisonous words from Hazel could undo everything she built. As Gavin turned smugly to leave, Justine grabbed his arm, and her voice was cold. "Apologize." Gavin had never seen her like this—cold and firm. It startled him. But the moment passed, and he snapped back with fury, "I'm not apologizing to you! Back in the day, freaks like you were burned at the stake!" Justine struck him across the face. The sharp crack of the slap cut through the room like a whip. Gavin clutched his reddened cheek, staring at her in disbelief. "You hit me?" Noah rushed in, pulling Gavin behind him. He snapped, "Why did you hit him?" Justine withdrew her hand and shook it off casually. "Because I'm his mother. It's my job to discipline him." Noah didn't hesitate. "You're not needed for that." Justine let out a quiet scoff, and her voice remained detached. "Don't worry. It won't be much longer." She looked calm and spoke evenly, yet something about her was completely unlike the woman Noah thought he knew. Noah frowned, confused. "What's that supposed to mean?" She didn't answer and simply reminded him, "It's time to go." During the ride, Justine sat in the backseat, completely silent. She didn't say a word, looking just like a stranger who was catching a ride. Noah kept glancing at her through the rearview mirror. The longer the silence stretched, the more certain he became that she was truly angry this time. If it had been before, the loud clatter of last night would have sent her storming out in a rage. At the very least, she would have tried to make peace this morning. But now, she hadn't even noticed that they were eating leftover food from last night. She had even slapped Gavin. Noah remembered the image of her sitting alone in the living room when he came home last night. Something about it unsettled him. After a moment, he reached into the glovebox. When the traffic light turned red, he grabbed a small box and tossed it into the backseat. It hit Justine squarely in the chest. She had been resting with her eyes closed when she immediately sat up, startled. "What is wrong with you?" she snapped. She had been married to Noah for five years, and had endured his indifference all the time. She'd had enough of his careless, disrespectful behavior. Noah's expression changed instantly. "That's the gift I got you, and you're seriously asking if something's wrong with me? You sent me that message about visiting my parents' grave yesterday, and now, you're acting like someone just died. Isn't this just your way of forcing an apology out of me? Well, I've apologized now. What more do you want?" The light turned green, and he had to cut himself off and keep driving. Justine caught a glimpse of his annoyed face in the rearview mirror. He was upset again, though she had never once asked him for an apology. As always, he projected his own assumptions onto her, then turned around and blamed her for them. She looked down, choosing not to argue. Casually, she flipped the box open. Inside sat a diamond ring. It sparkled under the light, but it was nothing special. She recognized it as one of Tréora's discontinued pieces. To put it bluntly, it was a rejected design that was pulled from the market right after its launch—the kind of thing people wouldn't bother to pick up off the street. The ring Hazel wore in the video yesterday was the latest one-of-a-kind release from Tréora, a global exclusive designed to symbolize eternal, one-of-a-kind love. It turned out that Noah's mood swings in the past five years hadn't been because of work stress or overwhelming pressure. The lack of gifts hadn't been about him "not understanding romance". It was just that he didn't love Justine. That was it. With a soft snap, Justine shut the ring box and tossed it to the empty seat beside her. If it was trash, she wasn't going to carry it around with her. They were still three miles from the graveyard when Noah's phone rang. He didn't even check who it was before pulling over. Clearly, he recognized the ringtone. Without hesitation, he answered the call right in front of Justine. "Now? But I'm supposed to…" Whatever was said on the other end immediately made him soften. His tone melted into something almost tender. "Okay, okay. I'll be right there." It was strange seeing that kind of warm, gentle expression on his face. Justine had never thought he was capable of it. She crossed her arms and waited for the inevitable. Sure enough, the moment he hung up, he turned around. "Something came up. I need to swing by the office. You'll have to go to the graveyard on your own." Justine wasn't blind. She had seen the name "Hazel" flash across his screen. He couldn't even be bothered to visit his own parents' graves—all for a woman. What a devoted lover he turned out to be. Justine didn't hide the sarcasm in her voice. "You're seriously planning to drop me off in the middle of nowhere while you run off and skip visiting your parents' graves? Noah, those headstones up on the hill belong to the people who gave you life. And now, on Christmas Day, you're telling me some so-called emergency at work is more important than them?" Chapter 3 Noah's expression darkened at Justine's sharp words. He snapped, "They were basically your parents too. What, is it too much to ask you to visit their graves? You're a grown woman. Don't tell me you don't know how to call a cab!" He had always been cold, but not like this. Back then, even if he was annoyed, he would still make sure she was safe. Justine didn't bother arguing anymore. She opened the door and stepped out, slamming it behind her with a sharp thud. Her irritation bled into every movement. Noah didn't even hesitate. He spun the car around and sped off, a blast of exhaust blowing straight into her face. Almost immediately, Justine's phone buzzed. A message from Hazel popped up with just six gloating words. "Beating you is just too easy." Justine nearly gagged at the message. The smugness made her stomach churn. She scrolled upward through their message history. It was filled with Hazel's relentless harassment as she bragged day and night. Justine had never replied. At the start, she was so heartbroken that she could barely breathe. She cried through sleepless nights, too shattered to even type a single reply. But now, she was done. She was free. After a moment's thought, she typed out a line. "Wishing you an early congratulations on the wedding." She meant it. In exactly one month, once the divorce was finalized, Noah would rush to marry the woman he had always loved. She meant the blessing—just as much as she hoped that their marriage would unravel, thread by thread, until there was nothing left but broken vows and bitter regret. Caught off guard, Hazel snapped and began ranting back. "You shameless woman! If it weren't for you, I would've married him long ago. Do you really think he ever loved you? Don't flatter yourself. You have no idea, do you? Gavi tells me all the time how he wishes you'd burn to death like the freak you are. He wants me to be his mom!" Justine hadn't known about that last message. She stared at the screen in a daze, stunned that a child could say something so vicious. But the sadness didn't linger. Like smoke in the wind, it faded quickly. No matter how cruel Gavin's words were, he soon wouldn't be her child anymore. She turned on "Do Not Disturb", shut off her phone, and tucked it away. It took her nearly an hour on foot to reach the gates of the graveyard. Kenelm George, the caretaker, was someone she had come to know over the years. After all, hardly anyone else would visit the graveyard on Christmas Day. While signing her name in the log, he glanced behind her. "Came alone today?" "Yeah." She kept it short. Taking the flowers, she made her way along the familiar path. She knew every step by heart. The portraits on the headstones showed a young couple, their smiles frozen in time. No one could have predicted what happened to them. At the time of the accident, Justine had only just met Noah on a blind date. She still remembered how he had brought Hazel along as an act of silent rebellion. Noah's father, Maxwell Oliver, had been driving. Noah's mother, Minerva Richardson, had sat in the passenger seat, doing her best to create a warm atmosphere to help the two young people connect. Justine had sat by the window while Hazel had been wedged in the middle. Maybe Maxwell had been too focused on lightening the mood to notice the truck barreling out from the intersection. The crash was brutal. In that split second, Justine only managed to pull Noah toward her, shielding him from the blow. But the metal shard from the truck sheared straight through the car door, slicing off her ring and pinky fingers. Everything went black after that. When Justine came to, Noah was at her bedside, his face swollen from crying. He glared at her with bitter resentment and squeezed five words through clenched teeth, "We're getting the marriage certificate." Hazel had vanished without a word, and for a long time, Noah blamed Justine for his parents' deaths. But time had a way of softening even the deepest resentment. Somewhere along the way—without either of them noticing when—the distance between Noah and Justine began to close. Somehow, they shared two unexpectedly tender years. Then… Justine blinked, snapping out of the memory. She gently placed the flowers in front of the headstones and said hoarsely, "This will be the last time I'm here as your daughter-in-law. I've given everything I had to stay by Noah's side. I've got nothing left. His one true love is back now, and maybe he'll finally be happy. "You don't need to worry about him anymore. He couldn't make it today, but I'll come every year. I promise." There wasn't much else she could say. She sat quietly in front of the graves for a while. A breeze stirred, lifting a single flower petal and laying it softly against her cheek. For a second, she wondered if they were sighing with her. Justine stayed until noon. She shared a simple lunch with Kenelm before making her way back. Halfway back, the sky suddenly darkened, and without warning, rain poured down in sheets. She tried to hail a ride, but the line on the app stretched into the hundreds. There wasn't a soul in sight on the road—not even a single tree to shield her from the rain. She clenched her teeth and pushed forward through the storm. Four hours later, she finally reached the city center. The glass windows of a restaurant reflected a drenched woman with hair plastered to her face. She looked lifeless, like she had crawled out of a gutter. She was about to look away when something inside the restaurant caught her eye. By sheer, bitter coincidence, Noah was seated inside with Gavin and Hazel, the three of them engaged in cheerful conversation. From the outside looking in, they appeared to be the perfect picture of a happy family. And she, soaking wet on the other side of the glass, looked like a stray with nowhere to go. Only then did it hit her—Noah hadn't called her once since he left that morning. She pulled out her phone. The screen was waterlogged. Still, she stubbornly dialed his number. Inside the restaurant, Noah glanced at his phone, his brows creasing with visible irritation before he promptly declined the call. Justine stared at the screen as the call was abruptly cut off. She watched it return to the home screen, then fade to black. No matter how many times she pressed it, the phone stayed dead. It was no different from Noah's heart—unmoved and unchanging no matter how much warmth she gave. She stared at the useless device for a long time. Then, she pulled out the SIM card, tossed the phone into the nearest trash can, and began walking home with slow, unhurried steps. Chapter 4 At 10:00 pm, Justine was curled beneath the covers, wrapped in layer after layer. Even so, she was unable to stop the creeping chill that climbed up her limbs. Her head throbbed with fever. Heat and chills rolled through her body in waves, leaving her dazed and shivering. At some point, she passed out. She didn't know when she fell asleep, and she wasn't sure when she woke up. Eventually, she stumbled out of bed and tried to pour herself some water. But her hand gave out. The kettle slipped from her grasp and clattered on the floor, sending scalding water splashing across her feet and legs. The pain jolted her into momentary alertness. Instinctively, she turned toward the bathroom and fumbled to turn on the cold water, but as soon as she opened the tap, the world spun violently. Her body gave out, and she collapsed into the tub. The last thought that flickered through her foggy mind was, "Is this really how it ends?" But fate wasn't quite ready to let go of Justine. She woke up in a hospital bed, dazed and blinking against the sterile white lights. There was a brief surge of relief—she was alive. But the moment of grace was short-lived. Because the first thing she saw was Noah standing in the doorway, his jaw clenched and his eyes filled with fury. He stormed toward her without a word. Without a glance at her pale face, he grabbed her by the collar and snapped, "What the hell is wrong with you? What are you doing? You think faking a breakdown is going to win you some pity now?" Justine coughed violently. She had only just regained consciousness, and her fever hadn't broken. His grip on her sent her into a coughing fit so violent her lips turned pale and the rims of her eyes reddened. But Noah only saw what he wanted to see and barked, "Don't pull this crap on me. You might've fooled my parents back then, but I see right through you." When her coughing finally eased, Justine shoved his hand away. Her voice was low and hoarse, each word deliberate. "I'm not looking for pity. I walked four hours in a downpour yesterday, from the graveyard to the city. I was exhausted and burning up. That's why I collapsed. If I had a choice, I'd rather your attention never land on me again." She had already suffered enough because of him. Noah froze. His hand fell away, and something flickered in his eyes. "You… You walked back?" She thought, "What does it matter now?" Justine pulled her gown back into place and lay down again, pulling the blanket up to her chin. At that moment, Gavin burst into the ward, his voice sharp with irritation. "Dad! Why are you still talking to this freak? Ms. Gilbert's been waiting forever!" He glared at Justine like she was some filthy intruder ruining their perfect little family. "You couldn't get a ride? What, are you too dumb to use a phone? You're faking it. I've seen the characters on TV dramas do this exact thing. You're disgusting." Noah instinctively felt that Gavin had gone too far, but instead of facing the guilt gnawing at his conscience, he leaned into his son's version of the truth. With a scoff, he said, "Justine, I really underestimated you." From the hallway, Hazel appeared. She leaned weakly against the doorframe and whispered breathily, "Noah, maybe I should just get a cab and head home... Justine doesn't look good." As she spoke, her body gave a theatrical sway, like she was about to faint right then and there. Noah rushed forward and caught her just before she collapsed, his expression full of concern. "If you're dizzy, just sit down and wait for me. I just came to check on her. I won't stay long." Justine let out a soft laugh. He hadn't even come to the hospital specifically for her. Hazel was still playing her act. "Really, I'm fine. You should stay here and take care of Justine instead—" She suddenly yelped. Noah had scooped her up without warning. As he carried her out, he looked back and tossed a cold remark over his shoulder. "Don't waste your time." Gavin trailed behind them, pulling faces at Justine like she was some kind of joke. A young nurse, Madge Middleton, walked in to change Justine's bandages. With a touch of admiration, she smiled and said, "They seem really close. Was that your brother and his wife?" Justine replied flatly, "That was my husband, my son, and his first love." Madge fell silent for a beat, then abruptly changed her tone, her voice thick with indignation. "God, no wonder that woman was acting so dramatic. She came in perfectly fine but demanded a full-body scan like she was barely breathing. She put on a whole show for nothing…" Madge's abrupt change made Justine chuckle softly, and for the first time in nearly a year, her smile felt real. Thankfully, her injuries weren't serious. The hospital kept her for observation for a week before discharging her. No one came to pick her up. Justine stepped outside and looked up at the sky, breathing in the clean air and feeling the breeze on her face. For the first time in a long while, she felt light and free. She walked alone down the tree-lined avenue. Her steps quickened. Then, she broke into a run. So, this was what it felt like to let go of every emotional burden. This was freedom. When she got home and opened the door, the electric kettle was still on the floor where it had fallen—proof of just how abruptly she had been taken to the hospital. And proof that Noah hadn't set foot back in the house once. If it weren't for the neighbor downstairs calling emergency services when she collapsed, she might have died right at home. She didn't feel anything. She went to the walk-in closet and started packing up all the clothes and plush toys she had bought but never used. Their tags were still on. She sorted her things—new clothes, toys, unused kitchen appliances—into three large boxes. After talking to the neighbor, who was more than willing to accept them, she dropped everything off. Now, the closet was mostly empty. Just one winter coat and a few spare changes of clothes remained. She scanned the room, then opened a hidden drawer and pulled out a folder of jewelry design sketches. Before marrying Noah, she was a respected jewelry designer, but she gave up on all of it for him. When it was time to leave, she would only take one thing with her—her dreams. She was still packing when Noah's voice rang from the front door. "Justine?" Chapter 5 Justine's expression turned cold. Noah really had a way of ruining the moment. As Noah's footsteps echoed down the hallway, he reached the door to the walk-in closet. The moment he saw how empty it was inside, his sharp words were caught in his throat. Then, he scoffed, his voice dripping with mockery. "Wow, this again? So now, you're pulling a new stunt? You got discharged without telling me. Was that on purpose? Trying to guilt-trip me? "And now what? You're clearing out the house like you're staging some dramatic runaway? What are you, five? I gave you a chance. Can you stop acting like a child for once?" Justine hadn't said or done anything, yet somehow, she was already being scolded. She stared at Noah, her voice calm and even. "Are you done?" Those three words shut Noah up completely. He looked at her in disbelief, suddenly realizing she wasn't the same woman anymore. She wasn't asking about Hazel after he carried her out of the hospital. In fact, she hadn't said a word. That was unlike her. Justine used to ask about every woman who got near him. She had even fought with him over Hazel more than once. Noah wondered why she had suddenly become so calm. This had to be another manipulative act. His expression twisted with disgust as he snapped, "You've changed, Justine! You used to be annoying, sure, but at least you had some charm. Now, there's nothing left." Justine held his gaze, her tone even as she asked, "By charm, do you mean the way I used to tolerate all your cheating?" "So, you're still mad? It's been over a week. Are you seriously holding a grudge for this long?" Noah's voice lifted like he had caught her red-handed. He sounded almost triumphant. But Justine didn't respond. She just turned away and continued organizing her design sketches. Noah thought he had hit a nerve and smirked, thinking he still had control. He scoffed. "Fine. Stay mad. I'm not coming back here for the next few days." And he meant it. He didn't return home for an entire week. Justine enjoyed the peace. She took her time, clearing out every last thing that belonged to her. A few days later, the once-full home was reduced to a single couch and a hanging chair. Ironically, both were identical to the ones Hazel had posted online in the past. Justine hadn't bothered buying a new phone after her old one broke. She figured she could make it through the next few days without one and then start over completely. She boxed up some small items and took them to a charity sale. To avoid anyone she knew, she deliberately chose parks far away from her neighborhood. Business was doing well—until she spotted three very familiar silhouettes heading her way. Hazel's voice dripped with feigned surprise. "Justine? What are you doing out here? Selling... stuff?" Noah had been frowning, already assuming Justine was pulling some new stunt. But when his eyes landed on the items displayed at her stall, his expression shifted instantly. His pupils constricted as he snapped, "Justine, these are our things! You're seriously selling them?" Gavin recognized a few items too. He rushed forward and reached out. "That's my model car!" Before he could grab it, Justine calmly pressed down on his hand and said with a sweet smile, "Let me correct you. That's not your model car. It's the one I bought. This kaleidoscope? A souvenir I paid for. This diamond-studded frame? Also mine." She listed off the things effortlessly, then looked at Noah. Her tone turned soft, almost sounding amused. "All of these were things you both used to mock, calling my taste tacky. So, why can't I sell them at a charity sale?" Noah stared at her like she was a stranger. Then, his eyes caught sight of a large empty frame on the side. His breath hitched. "This was for our wedding photo. Where is it?" Justine followed his gaze, then blinked as if she was genuinely surprised. "Was it? I'm pretty sure it's always been empty." "Justine, don't push it!" Noah snapped. Hazel noticed Noah's attention was completely on Justine, and it irritated her. She coyly looped her arm through his on purpose and said sweetly, "Justine, don't get the wrong idea. Noah's just trying to keep the marriage from falling apart." Justine almost admired her shamelessness. She didn't know how someone could play the mistress and still sound so righteous. "A man who truly doesn’t want his marriage to fall apart wouldn't let another woman hold his arm right in front of his wife." Her words landed hard. As if he had been stung, Noah instantly pulled his arm away from Hazel. But Justine had already started packing up her things. She gave the two of them a cold, disdainful glance. "Thanks to you both, you've ruined all my business for today. Enjoy your little romantic stroll. I'll go find somewhere else to sell these." Chapter 6 Justine slung the heavy bag over her shoulder and walked away. Noah didn't chase after her, and she hadn't expected him to. With Hazel clinging to his arm, Noah didn't spare a second glance at Justine. His attention was entirely consumed, leaving no room for anything beyond Hazel's presence. By the time Justine sold off the last of her things, the sky had already gone dark. Every house on the block was alight with joy. Justine didn't want to spend the evening wallowing in self-pity, so she headed to a bar she had always wanted to visit but never had. The decor was artsy, and the vibe was mellow. She had mentioned it once to Noah, but he had sneered and said it wasn't the kind of place decent people went to. The moment she stepped inside, she could feel the difference. Unlike most bars, it wasn't loud or chaotic. Soft music filled the space, the dim lighting enveloping the place in a cozy and calm vibe. She chose a spot in the corner and had barely taken her seat when the host walked onto the small stage, tapping the mic to quiet the room. "Tonight, on this special evening, we have a very special guest. Please welcome her with a warm round of applause!" The crowd clapped enthusiastically. From behind the curtain, a familiar figure stepped out. Hazel swept her gaze across the room with a soft, graceful smile. Her expression froze for a brief second when she spotted Justine, but she quickly recovered and flashed an even brighter smile as she took hold of the mic. "Hi, everyone. I'm Hazel Gilbert. A year ago, I was the resident singer here… and this is where I met the love of my life again." She turned her gaze toward Noah. The stage lights followed, landing directly on Noah. One stood on stage while the other watched from the crowd. They stared at each other like a fated couple from a love story. The audience whistled and cheered. The host even waved Noah up. Gavin clapped and pushed his father toward the stage. For once, the man who always wore a poker face blushed. Justine sat tucked away in the corner with her arms crossed, quietly watching the show unfold on and off stage. She was the one with the legal marriage certificate—yet at this moment, she felt more like a bystander witnessing someone else's love story. "Thank you, Noah—for standing up for me that day. My heart has never changed," Hazel said softly, her voice trembling like she might cry. Noah's expression turned tender. He reached out, gently wiping a tear from her cheek. "Kiss! Kiss!" the crowd began chanting. Hazel glanced triumphantly at Justine. Her husband and son were standing in front of strangers, making no effort to deny another woman's affection. It was pathetic. Justine dropped her eyes and downed the rest of her drink in one gulp. As cheers and whistles echoed around her, she quietly stood up and slipped toward the exit. Noah stared at Hazel but couldn't stop his thoughts from drifting to Justine's expression that morning—cold, distant, disgusted. It unsettled him more than he expected. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure slipping out through the bar's exit. He thought, "Justine? What the hell is she doing here? Didn't I tell her not to come to places like this?" But before he could process the thought, he saw a man following her, looking way too suspicious. Noah didn't even think. He stepped off the stage and ran after her. Hazel was still basking in the thrill of revenge and soaking up the spotlight. She was certain she had finally swayed Noah tonight. But he stayed silent, as if caught in hesitation. Just as she was about to prompt him, Noah said nothing as he simply stepped off the stage and ran outside. Hazel thought, "Is he chasing after Justine? Why? Things were going so perfectly." Her heart surged with panic, and she ran after him without thinking. The audience broke into hushed murmurs, confused by the sudden drama. … Outside, the night breeze was sharp and cold. Justine pulled her coat tighter around her as the alcohol started burning through her stomach. She wasn't much of a drinker. Her head was spinning, and she barely made it a few steps before the dizziness forced her to stop. She leaned against the wall, trying to steady herself. A voice called out, unfamiliar and unsettling. "Hey, pretty lady. You out here all alone?" Justine whipped around, instantly alert. She took a step back. The man wore a cap low over his face. She couldn't see him clearly before he suddenly reached out, trying to grab her. She fought back, but he was strong—far too strong. "Justine!" It was Noah. At that moment, Justine didn't care about the divorce or her pride. She screamed, "Noah! Help me!" Startled, the assaulter, Alger Potter, froze and loosened his grip. But just as Noah reached them, another voice called out behind him. There was a yelp and the sound of someone collapsing to the ground. Hazel clutched her ankle, tears streaming down her face. "Noah, my foot... I think it's twisted…" "Dad! Ms. Gilbert's hurt! We have to take her to the hospital," Gavin shouted, panicked. Alger suddenly tightened his grip on Justine, his gaze meeting Noah's with a streak of challenge. Anyone with common sense would know what to prioritize at that moment. Justine stared at Noah, her eyes pleading. Noah hesitated. But ultimately, he turned around. He picked Hazel up without hesitation and called out over his shoulder, "Don't be afraid. I'll call the police for you!" Gavin shouted in angry protest, "She's just a freak, Dad! Why do you even care?" Just like that, the three of them disappeared into the night. Justine stood there, frozen in disbelief. Chapter 7 Justine thought, "Would a human really make such a choice?" Noah always found a way to outdo himself. Just when she thought he couldn't sink lower, he did. "Looks like you no longer have backup," Alger said smugly, his eyes gleaming with triumph. Justine pulled a key from her coat pocket and shoved it straight into his eye. Alger screamed, throwing a punch at her. They scuffled violently. Justine took several brutal blows, but she spotted her opening and landed a sharp kick to his private part. As he crumpled to the ground, howling in pain, she snatched his phone and called the police. The officers quickly arrived and took in the scene. Still unwilling to give up hope, Justine asked, "Excuse me, was there a report made earlier from this area?" One of the officers replied casually, "No, nothing came through." So, Noah hadn't even bothered to call for help. After giving her statement at the station, she made her way to the hospital. The doctor patched her up while marveling at her ability to endure such heavy injuries. Justine gave a small, indifferent smile and didn't say a word. Compared to the emotional blows she had taken recently, this physical pain felt like nothing. By the time everything was done, it was nearly 3:00 am. She dragged her aching body home. The house was silent, cold, and empty. Collapsing onto the couch, she stared at the ceiling, utterly drained. Her mind went blank. She had no idea how much time had passed before she heard the door unlock. The lights suddenly blazed on. She squinted and lifted her hand to shield her eyes. Through the slits between her fingers, she saw Noah and Gavin walking in. "I knew you pulled the whole sympathy act to get Dad's attention," Gavin sneered, his voice sharp and full of disdain. Justine didn't have the energy to scold or correct him. She closed her eyes and ignored them, her voice flat and distant. "Whatever you need, just take it and leave. I just want some peace and a moment to breathe." Noah looked at her. She was bruised all over, her cheek was swollen, her fingernails were cracked and broken—yet she didn't say a word. The only thing left in her eyes was exhaustion. It was like she didn't even have the strength to complain anymore. He was supposed to protect her. Meanwhile, Gavin was standing beside her, completely unfazed. He didn't even show a flicker of concern for his mother. A chill spread through Noah's chest as he realized how cold his child had become. When there was still no response, Justine slowly opened her eyes and looked at him. Her voice was detached, almost mechanical. "What? Do you want an apology? For ruining your date? Fine. I'm sorry." She just wanted him to leave. She was too tired to fight anymore. Noah barely glanced at Gavin and said, "Go to your room." Then, he walked out the door. Justine didn't care where he was going. She didn't even bother wondering. Half an hour later, the front door opened again. Noah came back in carrying a plastic bag filled with medications. He crouched beside her and pulled out antiseptic and cotton swabs. The quiet rustling of plastic stirred Justine from her sleep. "What are you doing? I've already taken care of it. What's the point of pretending now?" Noah's expression twisted in irritation. "I'm trying to help, and you're snapping at me? Justine, are you the kind of woman who only responds when someone treats you like crap?" She let out a cold laugh. "So, you do know how badly you treat me." Noah fell silent, no longer interested in pretending to be the good guy. He tossed the cotton swabs and antiseptic onto the table and stood, towering over her. "I told you not to go to places like that, but you didn't listen. You brought this on yourself." She brought this on herself? Of course, Noah would say that. He had a talent for finding the one part of her that hadn't completely fallen apart, just to tear it open himself. Justine didn't even have the strength to argue anymore. Her voice was flat when she asked, "And where did you run into Hazel again, then?" If she had heard it correctly, Hazel had said it herself that they met at the bar. Justine didn't wait for his response. She pulled the blanket over her head and shut everything out. She was drained. She didn't want to deal with any of it. Two more weeks—that was all that was left. Yet even staying one more hour in this house felt impossible. She vaguely heard Noah's phone buzz a few times, but he didn't answer. A moment later, Gavin's door creaked open. He walked out with his phone in hand, shouting without the slightest attempt at subtlety, "Ms. Gilbert is calling you." Another 30 minutes passed before Noah and Gavin both headed out. When they left, dawn had already broken. Justine didn't fall asleep until then. When she finally woke up again, darkness had returned to the skies. She sat up, her body sore from head to toe. After so many days, Noah hadn't even bothered to check if her phone was working. If he had tried calling, he would have realized she was completely unreachable. Justine dragged herself off the couch and headed downstairs to buy something to eat. But just as she turned the corner, she saw Noah and Hazel standing close, whispering sweet nothings. At the same time, a shadow darted past her. Before she could react, a searing pain tore through her abdomen. She looked down and saw blood blooming across her shirt. Stunned, she looked up. Hazel's scream pierced the air as she threw herself into Noah's arms. "Noah, I'm so scared!" The attacker, startled by the scream, panicked. In a frenzy, he stabbed her again before bolting. Justine slowly collapsed to the ground, her vision blurring as she watched Noah in the distance—still clinging to Hazel and holding her tightly. Chapter 8 When Justine woke up in the hospital, it was already early the next morning. The doctor frowned as he explained her condition, "Your previous wounds hadn't even started to heal, and now, you've taken two more stabs. If a bystander hadn't gotten you here in time, you would've bled out before making it. "You shouldn't be going through something like this alone. You should let your family take care of you." She was stunned to learn it was a bystander who had taken her to the hospital. She blinked. Noah had been right across from her that night. And yet, he had done nothing. She wondered what he had been doing while she bled out. Justine's thoughts flashed back to that night outside the bar. She gave a bitter smile and shook her head at the doctor. "I don't have any family." "I honestly don't know how you still have the nerve to cling to Noah." Hazel's voice cut through the silence. Hazel was suddenly here, leaning against the doorway with her arms crossed and a smug smile tugging at her lips. She looked perfectly unharmed as she stepped gracefully into the ward and said, "Yesterday, I only pretended to faint, and Noah didn't even hesitate—he brought me straight to the hospital. "He didn't even glance back at you. If I were you, I would've divorced him a long time ago. So, this is how you've managed to cling to him all these years? You're really shameless. And look at you—still breathing. I really underestimated how stubborn you are." Every word was laced with ridicule and contempt. She expected Justine to lash out, to break. But she didn't. There was nothing left in her—no rage, no grief, no fight. Justine met Hazel's provocation with nothing more than a cool, flat remark. "If you're feeling faint, get more rest. And if you're going to fake it, at least make it believable. It'd be a shame if he sees through you one day and that dream life of yours comes crashing down." "You!" Before Hazel could finish, footsteps sounded outside the door. Hazel rushed to the bedside and suddenly threw herself to the floor, crying out dramatically, "Justine, I only came to check on you! You didn't have to shove me. What did I ever do to deserve this?" Noah and Gavin had just reached the doorway when they heard Hazel's words. Without a second of hesitation, Noah stormed inside and gently scooped Hazel into his arms. His gaze turned sharp as it landed on Justine. "What the hell are you doing? You made enemies out there, and now, you're blaming Hazel for it?" Gavin sprinted in behind him. Without a second thought, he swung his fist straight at Justine's stomach. "Bad person!" It landed right where Justine had been stabbed. Pain radiated through her stomach as fresh blood seeped through the hospital blanket. Trembling, Justine reached out and hit the nurse call button. Noah froze, stunned by what had just happened. Regret flickered across his face—briefly but genuinely. Madge rushed in and immediately began redressing the wound. After hearing what happened, she turned to Noah, struggling to contain her anger. "You're his father. Don't you think it's your job to teach him better? He punched her right in a fresh wound. If she had bled out, could you have lived with that?" Noah opened his mouth but said nothing. Beside him, Hazel jumped in with a soothing smile, trying to diffuse the tension. "He's just a child. He doesn't know any better." Gavin immediately shrank behind her as if she were his only refuge. Madge narrowed her eyes, suddenly recognizing Hazel. "You're the mistress, aren't you? The one who requested to undergo every test, only to have the results turn up completely fine? If you're going to fake fainting, at least try to be convincing. Stop treating everyone like idiots." It wasn't her place to say that, but she couldn't stand it any longer. Hazel's face went pale with panic. Even Noah turned to her, suspicion flickering in his eyes. In a moment of desperation, Hazel blurted, "Justine, even if you hate me, you shouldn't be encouraging the staff to spread lies about me, should you?" She sniffled, playing the victim to perfection. Noah didn't hesitate. He immediately stepped to Hazel's side, his eyes cold as he turned to Justine. "I'm beyond disappointed in you. Apologize to Hazel." Justine had nearly bled out from two stab wounds. She was the one who had teetered on the edge of death because her husband hadn't taken her to the hospital in time. Yet somehow, she was now expected to apologize to the woman who hadn't suffered a scratch and had lied through her teeth. It was laughable. She pressed her lips together and shut her eyes, her silence a clear refusal. Noah's voice was sharp. "If you won't apologize, don't expect me to visit you again." He turned on his heel and walked out. And he meant it. For almost two weeks, Noah didn't show his face even once. Instead, Hazel messaged Justine every single day, sending photo after photo of their "perfect family" living in bliss. Justine didn't bother opening them. She simply saved everything into a folder. On the day the divorce agreement officially took effect, Justine signed herself out of the hospital against medical advice. She went home, packed up the last of her belongings, and booked a one-way ticket. Before leaving, she zipped all those messages and photos into a compressed folder and scheduled it to be sent by email. Then, she placed the finalized divorce papers right on the center of the coffee table. She said goodbye to the house that had suffocated her. She said goodbye to the man and the boy who had drained her dry. She said goodbye—and meant it. There would be no looking back.