I Waited, but I've Had Enough Now

It is 9:00 pm, and a soft glow still lights the master bedroom on the Lowe residence's second floor. "Helena, there's only a month left before the marriage agreement ends. Once it's up, I'll go ahead and arrange the fake death." Sitting at her vanity, Bianca Lane types the message and sends it to her mother-in-law, Helena Johnson. A reply comes back almost instantly. "Bianca, you've worked so hard these past ten years. You've taken such good care of Sebastian and even gave birth to a child for our family. "To me, you've always been my daughter-in-law. Why not just forget about the agreement?" Reading the message, Bianca unconsciously tightens her grip on her phone before quickly typing her response. "No, Helena. Let's just stick to the agreement." Chapter 1 It was 9:00 pm, and a soft glow still lit the master bedroom on the second floor of the Lowe residence. "Hello, I'd like to schedule a fake death," Bianca Lane typed calmly as she sat at her vanity, hitting send without hesitation. A response quickly appeared. "Your request has been accepted. Please confirm the date for your fake death." "Ten days from now, on my birthday," Bianca replied immediately. "The cause is a car explosion, and no remains will be found." With the agreement finalized, Bianca set her phone aside. Her gaze fell on a family photo on the bookshelf, causing a sharp ache in her chest. In the picture, Bianca wore a white dress and smiled joyfully. Beside her stood Sebastian Lowe, tall and dignified, holding their four-year-old son, Christian Lowe, in one arm and gently holding Bianca's hand in the other. They looked like the perfect, enviable family. Ten years earlier, right after Bianca graduated from university, her world had crumbled overnight when her parents died suddenly. In her darkest moment, Sebastian appeared, immediately captivated by her. He pursued her passionately. He knew how much she loved cartoon characters, so he built the largest amusement park in Havenport and opened it just for her. He knew she was afraid of the cold, so he poured money into installing heated floors throughout Havenport, turning the once-chilly city into a warm, spring-like haven. With Sebastian's devoted care, Bianca fell deeply in love with him, certain she was his entire world. When Sebastian knelt and proposed to her on a live broadcast in front of all of Havenport, Bianca didn't hesitate, eagerly accepting the ring. Their marriage had been blissful. Bianca dreamed of spending her life with Sebastian. When Bianca discovered she was pregnant, Sebastian was overjoyed. To ease Bianca's childbirth, he hired an elite medical team. Yet, complications arose, and Bianca nearly bled to death during delivery. Sebastian, who had never believed in religion, spent an entire night kneeling in prayer, begging desperately for Bianca's safety. His sincerity seemed to move heaven itself, and both Bianca and Christian survived. Under their careful nurturing, Christian grew up surrounded by happiness. The Lowe family became Havenport's model of a perfect family. At home, everything revolved around Bianca. If she even coughed, Christian would burst into tears, rushing to fetch her medicine. When she was ill, Sebastian and Christian would stay awake by her bedside for an entire night. No matter how busy Sebastian was, he always prepared her breakfast, and Christian followed his example, secretly cooking an extra egg for her each morning. Yet, despite this perfect facade, the two who supposedly adored her secretly met with another woman weekly. On Christian's fifth birthday, Bianca accidentally fell into the pool. When she awoke, she was astonished to hear Christian's inner thoughts. "When is Mom going to wake up? Daddy and Lucy are waiting for me." Bianca stared at her usually sweet son in shock, her voice trembling as she asked, "Christian, are you hiding something from me?" Christian paused momentarily before quickly regaining his composure and hugging her affectionately. "Mom, you're awake! Did you have a nightmare? How could I ever hide anything from you?" Yet, his thoughts betrayed him. "I have to keep Daddy's secret. Mom can never know about Lucy." When she heard the name "Lucy", Bianca's heart skipped a beat and tightened with pain. She couldn't believe Sebastian and Christian had been hiding another woman from her. Before she could question further, her phone buzzed with a message. It was a photo of a dim, messy hotel room. In it, two hands were entwined, with a familiar, strong male arm visible. Bianca's eyes widened, recognizing it as Sebastian's instantly. A message followed. "Bianca, I didn't expect Sebastian to be so wild in my bed, you know?" The blood drained from Bianca's face, overwhelming heartbreak consuming her. She couldn't believe Sebastian and Christian had betrayed her for another woman. Tears clouded her vision, and the harsh reality crashed over her. Those perfect family moments had been nothing but lies. Her husband and son, whom everyone envied, were secretly meeting with another woman. Bianca had been nothing but a fool. She looked down at the divorce papers and the document terminating her parental rights on the desk. Without hesitation, she calmly signed her name and packed the documents into a gift box. In ten days, she would vanish entirely. On her birthday, all of Havenport would hear the tragic news—Bianca Lane, Sebastian Lowe's beloved wife, had died in a fiery car crash, leaving no remains. Chapter 2 There was a knock at the bedroom door, and Sebastian came in, holding a warm basin of water. Christian followed close behind, carefully carrying a large bowl of fruit salad, his face bright with eagerness. "Honey, soak your feet. It'll help you relax," Sebastian said gently, placing the basin down beside Bianca. "Mommy, have some fruit!" Christian added cheerfully. Sebastian knelt, carefully removing Bianca's socks, gently washing her feet, and giving her a relaxing massage, his eyes filled with warmth and affection. Christian stood beside them, feeding Bianca pieces of fruit one at a time, carefully wiping the juice from the corner of her lips with a tissue. Watching their attentive gestures, Bianca felt a bitter chill inside. She picked up the wrapped gift box and handed it to them. "This is a gift for both of you," she said calmly. Sebastian's eyes brightened with surprise. "Honey, what did you get us?" Christian stood on tiptoes excitedly. "Thank you, Mommy! You're the best! I love you so much!" Just as Christian began to untie the ribbon, Bianca quickly reached out and stopped him. Her voice turned firm as she said, "Wait until my birthday. It will be more meaningful if you open it then." Sebastian and Christian immediately paused, obediently agreeing. Later, Sebastian carefully placed the gift box in the safe. Just as he locked it, his phone buzzed softly. The room fell silent, and Christian's anxious thoughts echoed clearly in Bianca's mind. "Oh, no. Lucy must be getting impatient at home. We have to hurry up and make Mommy sleep, so Daddy and I can go see her." Without changing her expression, Bianca watched Christian climb onto the bed beside her, asking sweetly for a bedtime story. Sebastian gently guided Bianca down onto the bed, too, coaxing her lovingly to rest. Bianca felt another wave of bitter amusement. Gazing steadily at Christian, whom she'd adored unconditionally, she asked softly yet meaningfully, "Do you remember the story I once told you about the Little Mermaid?" Christian looked puzzled, about to ask something, but Bianca continued without waiting. "The Little Mermaid turned into sea foam and vanished forever because the prince betrayed her. Christian, if I ever get betrayed, I'll disappear from everyone's lives, too, just like the Little Mermaid," she said, calm but resolute. The mood grew tense, and Christian nervously averted his eyes, his thoughts racing anxiously. "What's wrong with Mommy? Does she know something?" Before he could dwell on it, Sebastian's phone buzzed again urgently. It was clearly a message from Lucy Hart, urging them to hurry. Sebastian and Christian exchanged a quick glance, then carefully tucked Bianca into bed. Sebastian gently stroked her cheek, smiling softly. "Honey, you're overthinking things. Just get some rest." He glanced pointedly at Christian, who immediately chimed in, "Yeah, Mommy, get some sleep. I have homework, so I won't disturb you anymore." Bianca didn't respond, merely closing her eyes as they assumed she had finally fallen asleep. Quietly, they turned out the lights and left the room. Yet, the moment the door clicked shut, Bianca's eyes snapped open in the darkness. Chapter 3 "Daddy, Mommy seemed kind of weird today. I'm a little worried," Christian said, his voice uneasy the moment he got into the car. But Sebastian just gave him a gentle pat on the head, completely unfazed. "Mommy's just tired and needs to rest. Don't overthink it. We're almost at Lucy's house. Aren't you excited?" Christian immediately brightened at the mention of Lucy, his worries melting away. He nodded, grinning from ear to ear, clearly thrilled about seeing her again. What they didn't know was that Bianca had already gotten up after they left and was quietly following behind them. Not long after the car pulled away, Bianca received another message from Lucy. This time, it was a photo of her in bed with Sebastian. Then, she sent several photos in different outfits—a maid costume, a nurse uniform, and a bunny suit. Beneath it was a single line of text. "Did you know your husband and son are on their way to see me right now?" Bianca stared at the photos for a long second. Then, without a word, she started the car. She needed to see with her own eyes just how far the man she loved and the son she raised would go behind her back. Up ahead, the sleek black Maybach sped out of the city, heading toward the quiet outskirts. Nearly an hour passed before it finally stopped in front of a luxurious gated neighborhood—an elite cluster of multi-million-dollar homes. Bianca knew this place. Years ago, she'd begged Sebastian to buy a house here, craving a peaceful, private space away from the city. But he'd dodged the request, claiming it was too expensive. Now, she understood the real reason—this was the home he shared with another woman. She parked at a distance, just in time to see Sebastian and Christian stepping out of the car. From the front door, a slim, striking woman appeared—undeniably the same woman from the photo. The moment she stepped outside, Christian lit up and shouted joyfully, "Lucy!" Bianca felt something inside her rip apart. Her chest tightened painfully as she instinctively clutched the edge of her coat, forcing herself not to make a sound. A few feet away, Christian ran straight into Lucy's arms, hugging her waist, his voice sweet and full of longing. "Lucy, I finally get to see you! I missed you so much!" Lucy laughed, crouched down, and wrapped him in a hug, kissing him on the cheek. Then, as if sensing something, she looked up, and her eyes locked directly with Bianca's from across the street. Still smiling, Lucy looked down at the boy in her arms and asked, "Christian, can I ask you something? Between your mommy and me, who do you like more?" Christian froze. His expression shifted awkwardly, but after a beat, he answered honestly, "I love Mommy, but... she's a little strict sometimes. You make me happier." Bianca stood there, frozen in place, feeling like all the air had been knocked out of her lungs. The three of them looked so natural together, like a perfect family. Bianca watched as they walked inside the house, arms around each other, laughing. Dragging her heavy feet, Bianca followed slowly, unable to tear her eyes away. Through the window, she saw Lucy cuddled up with Christian, softly humming to him as he drifted off to sleep, a smile spreading across his face. Once Christian had fallen asleep, Lucy raised an eyebrow at Sebastian with a playful grin. She straddled him and slowly slipped off her outerwear. "Sebastian, I picked this out just for you. What do you think?" Sebastian's eyes darkened instantly, filled with lust. Without hesitation, he pulled her into his arms and pressed her down onto the bed, kissing her deeply on the collarbone. Moments later, the house echoed with the sounds of intimacy. Outside, Bianca turned away, her eyes burning red. She clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white. She bit down hard on her trembling lip, holding back the tears. Then, finally, she sank to the ground, her heart ripping apart as the sobs began to break free. Chapter 4 Bianca stumbled back home in a daze, her mind still reeling. She had barely stepped through the door when her phone buzzed again with a new message from Lucy. This time, it was a video—one she could barely stand to watch. She could hear Lucy's taunting voice. "On your knees. I like it from behind." The rustle of clothing and the unmistakable sounds of bodies entwined filled the audio, echoing in Bianca's ears and making her stomach churn. She gripped her phone so tightly that her knuckles went white, and her face drained of color. Moments later, a new message arrived. "The woman he doesn't love is always the other woman. Stop fooling yourself and get lost." The wave of disgust and heartbreak that washed over Bianca was overwhelming, threatening to suffocate her. She pressed a hand to the wall, steadying herself as she fought the urge to throw up. Tears of hurt and fury welled up and spilled over, burning tracks down her cheeks. After a while, she wiped her tears away. With cold determination in her eyes, she stared at the phone as messages kept flashing across the screen. At last, she tossed the phone aside, like she was letting go of her last shred of hope. There was nothing left to hold her here. From this moment on, whatever ties she had to Sebastian and Christian were cut, as if their paths had split for good and they were nothing but strangers from now on. That night, Bianca slept deeply and undisturbed. When morning came, she got up early and began packing every single gift Sebastian and Christian had ever given her over the last ten years. She boxed everything up and left it all at the front door. She had already arranged for a resale company to pick up the items, and everything would be sold, with the proceeds going to charity. Just as she finished, Sebastian and Christian, who hadn't come home the night before, finally pulled up outside. As soon as they stepped out of the car, they spotted the boxes stacked by the door and immediately recognized them as their old gifts to Bianca. Christian, puzzled and a little anxious, reached out and held her hand. "Mommy, what's going on? Why are you throwing all this away?" Bianca barely glanced at him, her expression unreadable and cool. "I'm donating it. Other people need these things more than I do." Sebastian, picking up on her icy mood, quickly guessed she must be upset about him taking Christian out all night without saying a word. Trying to smooth things over, he pulled her into a hug, softening his voice as he tried to coax her. "Come on, honey, I'm sorry. Christian woke up in the middle of the night wanting to see a movie, so I took him out. I just didn't want to disturb you. You're not really upset about that, are you?" If it were before, his pleading might have melted her heart. But now, it left her cold as stone. Bianca pushed him away without hesitation, her face set and unmoved. But then, Sebastian grabbed her wrist and pulled out a small velvet box from his pocket. He unclasped a sparkling diamond bracelet and fastened it around her wrist. "Here, take this as a peace offering. Please don't be upset with me," he pleaded, his gaze locked on hers. In the past, a gesture like that would have brought Bianca to tears. But now, she felt nothing. Her expression stayed cold and indifferent. Then, she heard Christian's inner thoughts. "It's a good thing the saleswoman gave that bracelet for free when Daddy bought Lucy's gift. Luckily, he didn't throw it away." So, it was nothing more than a leftover freebie. A small, bitter laugh escaped Bianca as she yanked her hand free, the bracelet slipping off and falling to the floor with a sharp little clink. She straightened, looking at both of them with clear, cold eyes. "I don't want it. Take it back." Turning on her heel, she walked back to her room, leaving both of them standing in the entryway, completely at a loss. Christian, worried and uncertain, turned to Sebastian and asked, "Daddy, what's wrong with Mommy? Is she mad at us? Do you think she found out about Lucy?" Sebastian's expression darkened, his face clouded with a mix of emotions as he watched Bianca walk away. Trying to convince both himself and Christian, he said gently, "No, there's no way she knows. Her birthday is coming up, so we'll surprise her and make her happy, alright?" Christian nodded in agreement. Chapter 5 Time seemed to slip by quickly. Over the past several days, Sebastian and Christian had barely been home, always busy spending time with Lucy. One morning, Bianca received a call from the agency handling her fake death, asking her to come in and sign some paperwork. She gathered her things and was just about to leave the house when Christian, who hadn't been home in ages, suddenly showed up and blocked her way. "Mommy, where are you going?" he asked. "I just have some things to take care of. I'll be back soon," Bianca replied, trying to step around him, but Christian clung tightly to her leg. "Don't go, Mommy. I want to go to the mall and pick out a new toy. Will you come with me?" Before Bianca could react, Christian had already dragged her out to the car. Later, the car sped down the road and soon pulled up in front of a large shopping mall. As soon as they stopped, Bianca looked out the window and noticed two lines of employees standing at the entrance, as if they were waiting for someone. The moment she stepped out, she was immediately surrounded by armfuls of purple wisteria and cheerful employees. "Happy birthday, Mrs. Lowe!" they called out in unison. Confetti rained down as the massive digital screen at the mall lit up with a message. "Happy 30th Birthday, Bianca Lane!" Stunned and speechless, Bianca was swept into the mall by the enthusiastic crowd. Onlookers outside the mall watched with envy and amazement. "Wow. Mr. Lowe really loves his wife," someone whispered. "I heard he ordered the whole mall to close two weeks in advance just to set up this surprise for Mrs. Lowe," another chimed in. "That's right! Word is, Mr. Lowe picked out a super expensive gift for Mrs. Lowe. I wish I could catch a glimpse! And their son even helped plan the whole thing!" "What a picture-perfect family." Someone sighed. All the gushing and gossip drifted into Bianca's ears, but she showed no expression. The bitterness inside her was hers alone to bear. Inside the grand atrium, a warm spotlight lit the stage where Sebastian stood, dignified and polished, waiting at the end of a red carpet. When Sebastian caught sight of Bianca, his whole demeanor softened. He came down from the stage, took her hand, and dropped to one knee. "Bianca, happy birthday. I love you," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. The entire mall erupted in cheers. "Bianca, I know Christian and I upset you before, so we're truly sorry. Today is your birthday. Can you forgive us?" Sebastian said, glancing at her hopefully. Christian tugged at Bianca's sleeve, looking up at her with wide, apologetic eyes. "Please don't be mad, Mommy. Daddy and I have been planning this surprise for weeks. Happy birthday, Mommy. Please forgive us." Standing there, Bianca felt a wave of sorrow wash over her. They didn't understand that some things, once broken, could never truly be fixed. Seeing she was still silent, Sebastian reached into his jacket and slowly opened a small gift box. Under the lights, a dazzling gold heart-shaped locket sparkled, adorned with vibrant emeralds and rubies that caught every glimmer. People in the crowd gasped with admiration. "No way! That's the Celestis Heart locket! It's breathtaking!" "I heard it's one of a kind. Mr. Lowe found it in a private collection in Valedale and paid a fortune! They say whoever receives the Celestis Heart locket will find love that never fades!" "I'm so jealous! Mr. Lowe really went all out for her." Yet despite all the excitement, Bianca remained unmoved. No matter how rare or extravagant the gift, her heart had already gone cold. There was no turning back. A hush spread as everyone realized Bianca hadn't responded, and a quiet wave of confusion rippled through the crowd. Just then, a soft yet cool voice called out, "Sebastian." A tall, elegant woman appeared at the entrance. Chapter 6 Lucy walked into the mall, her long, dark hair cascading down her shoulders, and her red lips vivid against her elegant white coat. Sebastian and Christian glanced up, their faces flashing briefly with surprise and delight. Christian's excitement nearly made him shout her name, but Sebastian quickly covered his mouth. All eyes turned to Lucy as she calmly approached Bianca. "What a lovely locket," Lucy remarked with admiration, staring at the golden Celestis Heart locket in Bianca's hands. The employees exchanged puzzled glances. After all, Sebastian had specifically reserved the entire mall and strictly forbidden entry to anyone who wasn't invited. And yet, Lucy not only showed up, but she even had the nerve to speak to Bianca with that smug attitude. Everyone held their breath, unsure how to react. "You're so lucky, Mrs. Lowe," Lucy said sweetly. "This locket is incredibly rare. I heard Mr. Lowe spent billions to get it for you. He must truly love you." Her words sounded complimentary, but Bianca heard the thinly veiled sarcasm. She remained expressionless, refusing to engage. Lucy turned gracefully, her voice now inquisitive. "I heard Mr. Lowe upset you. Is that why you're unhappy?" Sebastian's face darkened, but before he could speak, Lucy cut him off. "Mrs. Lowe, please don't stay mad. I'm here to apologize for Mr. Lowe. Actually, the night before, he was with me..." She paused deliberately, letting her words hang in the air. Gasps of disbelief rippled through the crowd, eyes wide with shock. "...and several colleagues, working on a new project," Lucy finished, causing everyone to breathe a sigh of relief. Of course, Sebastian wouldn't betray his beloved wife. Lucy laughed lightly. "Mrs. Lowe, don't be so petty. Give Mr. Lowe a bit of space." All eyes shifted expectantly toward Bianca, awaiting her reaction. In the corner, Sebastian's expression turned grim as Lucy quietly stepped closer to him while everyone's attention was on Bianca. "What do you think you're doing here?" Sebastian hissed fiercely. Lucy leaned seductively toward him, her voice low and enticing. "I was just worried that things might not be going well between you and Mrs. Lowe, so..." As she spoke, Lucy discreetly slipped her hand into Sebastian's jacket. Feeling his response, she smirked softly, boldly guiding his hand beneath her own coat, whispering provocatively, "...I came to cheer you up." Sebastian's eyes darkened with desire. "You're playing with fire," he growled quietly. He gripped her firmly, quickly glancing around before touching her more boldly. Lucy blushed, struggling to hold back the soft sounds escaping her lips. Finally, Sebastian pulled his hand away and acted as if nothing had happened. On stage, Bianca had seen every move. Her nails dug deep into her palm, unaware of the blood trickling down her fingers. "Mr. Lowe, put the locket on Mrs. Lowe! We'd love to see how beautiful it looks on her," an employee called cheerfully, breaking the tension. Others echoed their approval. Seizing the moment, Sebastian stepped forward, gently lifting the locket and gazing lovingly at Bianca. "Let me put this on you, honey." Just as he moved to fasten the necklace, Bianca suddenly stepped back, visibly repulsed. Confused whispers filled the audience. Never had they seen Bianca openly reject Sebastian like this. What exactly did Sebastian do to make her this angry? In the awkward silence, Lucy's clear voice rang out again. "Mrs. Lowe, you're so difficult to please." Sebastian froze. With a soft laugh, Lucy continued, "Mrs. Lowe, if you don't want this beautiful locket, maybe you could pass it on to me. My fiance and I are getting married soon, and it would make such a lovely gift. Would you be willing to?" Sebastian shot Lucy a dangerous look, warning her silently. But Lucy ignored him, putting on a pitiful act. "My fiance can't openly show his love for certain reasons, but he gives me everything. So, Mr. and Mrs. Lowe, could you please give me this locket?" Lucy suddenly took Bianca's hand, pleading dramatically. Bianca stared at her coldly, wary of whatever game Lucy was playing. Sebastian finally snapped, his voice tense with anger, "Ms. Hart, this locket is my wife's birthday gift. Know your place and leave, now." Lucy suddenly fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face. "Bianca, please! Let me have it!" The crowd murmured, shocked and confused. Some condemned Lucy's audacity, others criticized Bianca's arrogance. Meanwhile, Bianca clearly heard Christian's inner thoughts. "I feel so bad for Lucy. How could Mommy be so petty over a locket? Why did she have to make Lucy beg like that? I hate Mommy." Bianca stared in disbelief at Christian. He hated her just because she wouldn't give Lucy the locket. Was this really the boy who once cherished her above everything? Sebastian stepped protectively in front of Bianca and snapped, "Lucy, who do you think you are? How dare you ask for something that belongs to my wife? Get out of here now!" Stunned by Sebastian's fierce reaction, Lucy trembled, her eyes welling with tears. "Sebastian..." "Get out!" Sebastian roared, cutting her off harshly. Lucy stared at Sebastian in disbelief. She scrambled to her feet, sobbing as she ran from the scene. Sebastian watched silently as Lucy disappeared, then turned gently toward Bianca, placing the locket in her hand. His voice softened as he said, "Honey, this is yours. No one else has the right to take it away from you." Bianca responded coldly, "Understood." Cheers erupted around them, streamers filling the air as everyone celebrated the apparent reconciliation, wishing Bianca a happy birthday. However, Sebastian stood quietly in the corner, distracted. As the celebration ended and people dispersed, Sebastian's phone buzzed nonstop. He ignored it, but seemed restless. Just before they reached their car, Sebastian hesitated, quickly glanced at his phone, and said apologetically, "Honey, something urgent came up at work. I have to go." Hearing that, Bianca remained silent. Interpreting her silence as agreement, Sebastian quickly turned and left without looking back. Chapter 7 Halfway home, Bianca suddenly realized she'd left something behind at the mall and told the driver to turn around. Just as the car stopped again at the entrance, her phone buzzed with a new message. It was an explicit video. The main characters were unmistakably Sebastian and Lucy. Lucy sat provocatively on the edge of the sink in the restroom, her reflection clearly visible in the large mirror as Sebastian stood in front of her, tangled passionately. "Go easy... I can't take it," Lucy moaned breathlessly. "You had no problem teasing me earlier, but now you can't handle it?" The phone slipped from Bianca's trembling fingers, hitting the floor sharply. The restroom in the video was from this mall. Lucy, dressed in black lace lingerie, had her legs wrapped around Sebastian's waist. Their faces flushed, bodies damp with sweat. Breathless with desire, Lucy whispered seductively, "Sebastian, who's better? Bianca or me?" After a brief pause, Sebastian's voice, heavy with lust, replied, "You, of course. Bianca's too boring in bed. You're much more fun." Lucy laughed triumphantly. Once they finished, Sebastian reached behind Lucy and fastened a necklace around her neck. Seeing this, Bianca's eyes widened in shock. It was the Celestis Heart locket he'd just gifted her moments earlier. "This is for you," Sebastian murmured tenderly. "Next time, don't ask in front of everyone. If you want something, just tell me privately." Lucy smiled in delight. "But how will you explain this to her?" "I'll just give her a fake one," Sebastian replied casually. Outside the restroom, Bianca clenched her fists so tightly that her fingertips turned white. She leaned against the wall and slid down slowly, her chest tightening so painfully she could barely breathe. She stumbled forward aimlessly, only to find Christian standing nervously nearby. He visibly panicked at the sight of her. "Mommy? Why are you here?" Bianca stared at Christian and asked coldly, "Why are YOU here? Didn't you say you were going home?" Christian stammered nervously, "I... I was using the restroom." His obvious lie made Bianca's already crumbling heart grow even colder. Then, clearly and painfully, Christian's inner thoughts reached her. "Daddy told me to guard the restroom door and make sure Mommy doesn't see him with Lucy." Bianca felt her breath catch, her fingernails digging sharply into her palm. The boy she'd lovingly raised was now lying to her. She recalled how Christian had once sworn passionately, "I'll never lie or make Mommy sad like the main character in the storybook. I love Mommy the most, and I'll always protect her." Remembering this, Bianca's eyes turned red. Holding back her tears, she looked at Christian and said, "Christian, tell me honestly. Are you hiding anything from me?" He froze for a split second, doubt flickering through his eyes as he wondered if Bianca had figured it out. But then, he stubbornly answered, "Of course not. I told you, I'd never lie to you." A shudder went through Bianca's body, and she turned away abruptly, walking home, numb and shattered. She sat motionless in the empty house for an entire day and night. Then, she stood and lit a large fire in the living room, burning every gift and piece of clothing she'd ever lovingly made for Sebastian and Christian, along with every family photo hanging on the walls. Flames danced brightly, consuming smiling faces. Bianca remembered her birthday five years ago. Sebastian and Christian had both rushed to give her their gifts, nearly getting into a fight over it. In the end, Christian lost and burst into tears. Four years ago, when Christian finally won a gold medal in the Math Olympiad, he and Sebastian gave Bianca a big surprise. She was so overwhelmed with joy that she burst into tears. Those joyful moments were vivid, but now, they were meaningless ashes. The fire roared, and thick smoke billowed through the air. Finally, Bianca pulled the heaviest thing from the safe—seven thousand handwritten love letters Sebastian had written when pursuing her. Back then, he wrote her a love letter every single day for six years, never missing a day. Without hesitation, she threw them into the flames. Thick smoke filled the entire house. Suddenly, the front door burst open. "Honey?" "Mommy!" Sebastian and Christian rushed in, shocked. "What are you doing?" Sebastian shouted. Chapter 8 Bianca raised her eyes slowly, answering calmly, "Nothing. I'm just burning some unwanted things." Sebastian gently nudged Christian, subtly signaling him to act. So, Christian stepped forward and said sweetly, "Mommy, here's your locket." Bianca stared coldly at the imitation in silence. At the same time, Christian's anxious thought pierced her mind clearly. "Did she realize it's fake?" Bianca laughed bitterly, closing her eyes. So, Christian had known the truth all along. They'd both been lying to her. She was the fool—the only one who'd been deceived. She opened her eyes again, tears making them red. Turning to face them both, her voice broke as she spoke quietly. "What do you think happens to people who betray someone who truly loves them?" Both Sebastian and Christian stood frozen, unable to answer. Christian finally murmured timidly, "Mommy, what's wrong?" Bianca gave a hollow laugh, not answering. She turned away, returned to her room, and slammed the door shut, locking it behind her. Sebastian and Christian exchanged confused, anxious glances, sensing the growing distance between them and Bianca. … The next day, Bianca visited the fake death agency to finalize her arrangements. She chose a car accident explosion, leaving no remains. Her fake death was scheduled for tomorrow—her birthday. After signing everything and paying the balance, she stepped out of the agency, only to hear two familiar voices calling to her. "Honey?" "Mommy?" Bianca turned and saw Sebastian and Christian, confusion clear on their faces. "This is a fake death agency. Why are you here?" Christian rushed over and grabbed her hand nervously. Sebastian frowned and was about to go in and find out for himself, but Bianca stepped in front of him, blocking his way. "I was just passing by. It's nothing," she said nonchalantly. Sensing something off, Sebastian wanted to question her more, but Lucy's gentle voice interrupted him from behind. "Sebastian," Lucy said with a warm smile as she walked over, holding a cup of coffee. Then, she handed it to Sebastian and stood close to him. Sebastian looked anxious and was about to explain, but Bianca cut him off sharply. "I'm heading home. Enjoy yourselves." After all, she was leaving tomorrow, and there was still so much to do. Bianca brushed off Christian's hand without a backward glance. Sebastian tried to follow, but Lucy tightened her grip on his arm. Watching Bianca walk away, Sebastian called after her instinctively, "Bianca, your birthday party is tomorrow at 8:00 am. Remember to come." Bianca didn't respond. She quietly returned home, sitting alone in silence for hours. At 6:00 pm, she cooked herself a lavish dinner. By 10:00 pm, she packed up all her jewelry, gold, and cash into a suitcase. At midnight, she carefully did her makeup, dressed elegantly in a sleek black gown, and called the fake death agency. Her calm voice echoed softly in the night. "I'm waiting at Riverside Villa. Proceed with the fake death procedure now." In the darkness, a black car slipped quietly through the Lowe residence's gates. Without hesitation, Bianca took her suitcase and stepped into the car. The next morning, the news exploded online. "Breaking News! Sebastian Lowe's wife was killed at 2:00 am in a fiery crash on East Bridge. No remains could be recovered."