Seven years into her marriage, Maria was diagnosed with brain cancer. For her husband Richard and son Jonathan, she bet on a 50-50 percent chance of survival.

Enter Eleanor, her husband's old flame and one true love. It was then that Maria realized the painful truth: her marriage to Richard was nothing but a scam.

When Eleanor appeared, everything changed. Richard made her his secretary at work, while his best friend addressed her as Mrs. Shaw—a title that should belong to Maria. Even Jonathan came to believe that Eleanor would make a better mother.

Maria gave up entirely. In a final act of despair, she severed all ties with Richard and Jonathan before vanishing into thin air.

When Richard and Jonathan finally saw Maria's cancer diagnosis, they were filled with regret.

They traced her overseas and groveled at her feet, begging for her forgiveness just so she would look their way—but she didn't spare them a glance.

Who needs a heartless husband and an ungrateful son?

After I was diagnosed with brain cancer, I discovered two things.

One, my marriage certificate with Richard was fake.

Two, the son I had raised for six years also knew—and he actually wanted someone else to be his mom.

Only then did I finally realize that everything I had sacrificed in the seven years of my marriage—casting away my family and my name—had all been a complete joke.

Before I decided to disappear from their lives for good, I did three things.

Firstly, I canceled the seventh anniversary dinner I had planned a month ago, left my son's kindergarten group chat, and quit all the health groups I had joined for the two of them.

Secondly, I spoke to my doctor, took a stress test, got specialty drugs, and made sure my health wouldn't stop me from making it overseas.

Thirdly, I finally called my older brother after seven years of no contact. I told him that there was only pain after marrying so far away from home. I had been utterly wrong, and now, I wanted nothing more than to go home.

-

"Mrs. Shaw, your brain tumor is already pressing on your nerves. You need to make a decision soon."

The doctor's words echoed in the sterile hospital hallway.

Maria shuddered, clutching the creased test results in her hands. She had been suffering from headaches, nausea, and nosebleeds lately. At first, she thought it was just due to staying up late and that it was a mild sickness.

A checkup at the hospital, however, revealed the nightmarish truth.

The doctor told her she had to choose a treatment plan as soon as possible.

A surgery would give her a fifty-fifty shot at survival, or she could choose a more conservative treatment through medicine and chemotherapy. She would lose her hair, but it might let her live a few more years.

Maria was terrified of betting on that fifty percent chance. She had always been afraid of needles, let alone lying on a cold operating table just to gamble with her life.

But if she didn't choose surgery, the tumor would grow, and the pain would only worsen until her last breath.

She closed her eyes and thought of her husband, Richard.

They had been married for seven years. She loved him, and she wanted many more years together with him. And there was their son, her little Jonathan, so bright and clever. Thinking of the two people she loved most, Maria found her courage.

She got up and walked into the doctor's office.

"I've decided. Schedule the surgery," she said.

The doctor looked serious. "There's only a fifty percent chance of success. Aren't you scared?"

Maria smiled. "No. I believe my husband and son will be there for me. As long as I have them, I'm not afraid."

The doctor nodded. "Alright, I'll schedule you for surgery in a month."

Maria left the hospital, excited to go home and get support from her husband and child.

The house staff told her Richard wasn't home and was at the company.

Maria hurried to the office and arrived outside the CEO's office. Before she could set foot inside, a man's voice reached her ears.

"Richie, wouldn't your wife be angry if she knew you made Eleanor your secretary?"

Maria froze. Through the crack of the door, she could see that the speaker was Richard's friend, Trent.

Eleanor… Eleanor Cooper.

Maria knew that name well. Richard's old flame, the woman he had secretly never let go of for over a decade.

Richard sat at his desk, looking downward, his shirt collar slightly open and sleeves half-rolled. He looked somewhat cold and aloof.

In an annoyed tone, he snapped, "What happens in my company isn't for you to pry into."

Trent shrugged and smirked. "Regardless, the reason I called Maria your wife was because of you. Everyone knows your marriage to her is just a sham. I mean, I was the one who forged the marriage certificate you two took that day. Haha!"

Maria froze, her face as white as a sheet.

What did she just hear?

Richard and her… Was their marriage a sham…?

Richard, facing away from the door, completely missed the fact that someone was standing outside.

"Why don't you just leave Maria now that Eleanor's back? Honestly, if Maria hadn't kept pestering you, if she hadn't gotten pregnant after you got drunk and slept with her, you never would have faked a marriage just to give the kid a proper status. You broke Eleanor's heart. She's only willing to come back now," Trent said.

Maria almost stopped breathing. Her blood pressure spiked as she fought the urge to throw up.

That night at the bar, Trent was there too. He knew she didn't drug Richard. The truth was, Richard had been set up by a rival company. Maria had volunteered to go to the hotel with Richard to help him.

Why was Trent pushing all the blame on her?

Trent chuckled and continued, "So, when are you giving Eleanor a proper status? If it weren't for her heart disease, she never would've left, and Maria would've never had her chance. The spot as Mrs. Shaw should've been Eleanor's from the start!"

Richard glanced up unamused, a glare of warning in his cold eyes. "I have a son with Maria."

Maria could barely stand, shaking all over. She couldn't take it anymore and rushed to the bathroom, missing whatever Richard said next.

She threw up hard—she couldn't tell if it was because of the truth that disgusted her, or if her illness was flaring up.

An employee saw her, startled, and handed her paper towels.

Maria took them, eyes red, managing a sickly smile. "Thanks. Please don't tell Richard I was here."

She stumbled out, wandering the streets like a walking corpse, remembering when she had first met Richard.

Seven years ago, Maria was a renowned designer abroad, managing her older brother Willow's jewelry business. She and Richard belonged to two different worlds.

However, during a business trip, her dress suddenly tore just as she exited a hotel. Just when her dress was going to be completely ripped apart, Richard got out of his Maybach and handed her his perfectly pressed jacket.

"Tie it around your waist," he said.

It was only five words, but it saved her from panicking and getting embarrassed in an unfamiliar environment.

Maria looked up at his handsome face and immediately fell for him.

After that, Maria couldn't forget Richard. She went to her older brother Willow, making excuses so they would end up working together, all to pursue Richard. Even after knowing Richard was still very much in love with his first love—whom he couldn't forget, and who left without saying goodbye—Maria pressed on and didn't give up.

One night, an accident led to Maria and Richard sleeping together. She got pregnant, and it seemed natural to get married.

Maria remembered asking him on their wedding night why he married her, since she never forced him to take responsibility.

For the first time, Richard had really looked at her and said, "I wanted to give you and the baby a home."

With just that one sentence, Maria gave up everything for her marriage to take care of her husband and son. Her brother objected to giving up her career and her life abroad, but she didn't care.

Now, after so long… She realized her marriage had never even existed.

Richard never saw her as his wife. For seven years, he had just played pretend, all the while thinking of someone else.

Maria's heart bled, thinking how she had been a joke from the very start.

She made up her mind.

If she survived the surgery, she would take Jonathan and leave. Richard could marry whoever he wanted.

Thinking of her son, Maria found her strength again and rushed home. As she went upstairs, she overheard her son Jonathan talking to the housekeeper.

"Do you think Mom would be sad if she knew her marriage to Dad was fake?"

Maria's eyes opened wide.

The butler, Mr. Graham, smiled gently. "Well, there's nothing you can do. You know your father doesn't love your mother."

Jonathan pouted. "Honestly, I don't like Mom either. I like Eleanor more. She's so nice. Whenever Mom drops me off at Dad's office, Eleanor gives me treats and toys. Mom just complains about snacks being unhealthy and makes me study. She's so annoying! I wish Eleanor would marry Dad."

Maria's hands clenched into fists, her heart aching so badly that she almost fainted.

Even the son she had carried for nine months and raised with all her heart was just as cold as Richard!

Now, every happy memory of a loving family felt like a cruel joke.

Maria recalled her brother's warnings—he warned her not to marry far from home, fearing she would get hurt. She should have listened. If he ever found out what Richard had done and how Jonathan treated her, he would probably come running with a machete in his hand.

Blinking away the tears in her eyes, Maria headed downstairs.

The hope that had given her the strength to choose surgery for her husband and son was shattered.

Once she was in the living room, she picked up her phone and made a call.

"Willow…? I'm getting a divorce. Can you come get me and take me home?"

Willow was shocked to hear it.

"You want a divorce? Why so suddenly? Did you have a fight with Richard?"

Maria gripped her phone tightly, her voice weak. "No, I'm just tired. I don't want to stay with him anymore."

In the past seven years, Maria had always tried to sound happy. She never told her brother about her troubles. Maybe it was because she wanted to prove that she was doing well. No matter how coldly Richard treated her or how exhausting it was to raise such a rebellious son, Maria had never once complained to Willow.

No wonder her brother was surprised.

Perhaps it was the bond between siblings, but Willow went quiet and didn't ask anything else. In the end, he just said, "Alright. When are you coming back? I'll pick you and your son up myself."

Maria paused. "Jonny is staying with Richard. I'm not taking him."

Willow gasped. "You're okay with letting him go? Don't worry, Mari. If you really want a divorce, I'll help you fight for custody."

"No, it's fine. Once I take care of things here, I'll contact you again," Maria said.

She quickly hung up, afraid Willow would ask more questions. Her thumb trembled as it pressed on her phone.

She sat on the sofa, completely drained.

Ever since she gave birth to their son, Maria had never thought about leaving Richard. Never had she expected that her son would be what finally pushed her over the edge.

She said she had things to handle, but really, there was nothing to deal with.

The marriage certificate was fake. She was never Richard's wife and had no place in the Shaw family, and had no legal paperwork to show for it. All she had to do was pack up and leave, and she could cut ties with Richard and Jonathan for good.

Maria steadied herself and went upstairs to pack.

Suddenly, the bedroom door opened.

Jonathan walked in with a toy in his hand, surprised to see her packing. "Mom, why are you packing? Where are you going?"

Maria looked at Jonathan. Even though he was her own flesh and blood, he suddenly felt like a stranger. "I'm going away for a while."

Jonathan's face lit up. "Really? When do you leave?"

Kids couldn't hide their excitement. He sounded so eager for her to go.

Maria's heart sank. "In a day or two. I'll be gone for a long time."

Jonathan's grin grew even wider. "Great! Have a safe trip, Mom!"

He bounced out, eager to call Eleanor to share the news.

Watching him go, Maria frowned, but still couldn't help reminding him, "It's past seven. Your homework…"

Jonathan groaned in irritation. "Ugh, you're so annoying! You used to help me at eight, right? Why are you nagging me so early?"

Maria pressed her lips together, forcing a self-mocking smile. "Sorry. This is the last time."

Jonathan noticed something odd with his mother today. Usually, she would start nagging him about how the teacher would check his homework tomorrow, and that he should finish early and go to bed.

Well, he couldn't care less. Feeling vindictive, he slammed the door behind him.

Maria went to the desk, took out all the reference books she had used to help Jonathan study, and lined them up on the table. Every book was marked with notes, even the first-grade ones.

Richard never bothered with these things, so she had handled all the parenting and teaching herself—only to end up being detested by her son.

She had given her all for six years to ensure Jonathan had top grades, could play the piano and guitar, and was always healthy and never got sick.

Yet… None of it compared to a few toys and treats from Eleanor.

Tears streamed down Maria's cheeks. She quickly wiped them away and organized Jonathan's things, labeling everything neatly.

At eight o'clock, Maria didn't go to Jonathan's room to remind him about his homework.

Jonathan was happy, thinking his mother must have lost track of time, and played games until he fell asleep. Meanwhile, Mr. Graham thought Maria would be taking care of Jonathan and didn't check on him.

Around nine, Richard came home from work.

Maria heard the door and was startled. She was sending a text she had written for her doctor.

[Sorry, doctor. You don't need to schedule my surgery anymore. I've decided to try conservative treatment overseas instead.]

Richard came in and glanced at the dining table. It was empty, with no sign of the chickpea pasta soup Maria usually made for him. He often worked late, causing him to skip meals and leading him to suffer from stomach problems. Thus, Maria made him chickpea pasta soup every night.

Richard was puzzled. When he turned to Maria, his expression softened. "Where's the soup tonight?"

Maria looked at him calmly. "I wasn't feeling well, so I didn't make any."

Richard loosened his tie, pausing at her words. "Are you feeling sick? You've been having nosebleeds and look paler than usual. I'll hire two more staff at home. You're doing too much on your own and tiring yourself out."

He set down his things on the table and touched her forehead.

As Maria let him touch her, she suddenly remembered how distant he had always been before that fateful night. Under the influence of drugs, he became a hungry beast and painted red and blue on her. After that, he woke up embarrassed and refused to let her go, determined to take responsibility. His ears had turned completely red.

After that, Richard had truly changed; he treated her better than anyone else while remaining distant with outsiders. He would take good care of her, and only her.

"Your forehead's fine. Why do you look so pale?" Richard's voice broke her thoughts. "Want some cookies?"

Maria looked at the pink dessert box in his hand. Crab apple cookies—her favorite.

There weren't any crab apple trees in the city, but every Wednesday, a famous shop sold these pastries. For five years, Richard had gone out of his way to buy them for her. Maria used to feel very touched, thinking that even if he was cold, he must care about her deep down.

Now, she realized it was all just wishful thinking.

Five years of pastries meant nothing, especially when their marriage didn't even exist in the first place. Maria's eyes darkened even more.

Richard noticed she wasn't eating and asked, "Don't want any?"

"I have no appetite," Maria snapped back.

Richard was about to say more when he noticed her purse on the sofa and a half-exposed medical report. He frowned. "Did you have a checkup?"

He reached for the papers, but Maria grabbed his sleeve.

She forced a smile. "I'm fine. I just need to stay out of the sun more."

Richard relaxed and patted her head. "I'll have one of the staff make you some warm soup."

Maria clenched her fists and finally spoke up. "Richard, what if I were really sick? What would you do if I got a terminal illness?"

Richard froze, suddenly uneasy. He frowned and said, "Don't say something like that. If you feel bad, I'll take you to a doctor. You won't get any terminal disease."

Maria's expression was unreadable as she pressed, "We've been married seven years. Is there anything you're hiding from me? If you tell me now, I can take all of it."

Richard stiffened, looking unsettled. "I'm not hiding anything. Is something the matter?"

Maria looked away, something gleaming in her eyes. "Nothing. Maybe I'm just overthinking. I just really hate being lied to. If you ever lie to me, I'll be gone for good. The three of us will never be together again."

Richard was stunned. For some reason, he had a bad feeling—as if something huge was about to happen. He tried to reassure her, smiling gently.

"Mari, we'll always be a family. Don't say things like that. I'm going to check on Jonny."

With that, Richard went into Jonny's room and closed the door.

Maria's heart finally turned cold. There was nothing left to hold onto.

Maria took out the keys to the house and car, along with a farewell letter. There was no need for a divorce certificate, no need for divorce proceedings, or even splitting assets. They were never truly married, after all.

The house and the Rolls-Royce in the garage were all gifts from Richard. Now that she had given them back, there was nothing that would bind them together anymore.

She left the keys and letter on Richard's desk in his study.

Maria walked out the door and disappeared into the night, pulling her suitcase behind her.

Maria hailed a cab at the curb. While she waited, she started searching for flights, planning to go straight to the airport.

At this time, her doctor called.

"Mrs. Shaw, when are you going abroad for your conservative treatment?"

Maria stood under the dim streetlight, her silhouette long and thin on the pavement. She looked at her shadow and said, "Right now. I'm heading to the airport already."

The doctor's voice was urgent. "You can't! You have a brain tumor, so the pressure inside your brain isn't normal. Getting on a plane might cause a lot of problems. You need a pressure test first."

Maria froze. How could this be…? She had already decided to disappear tonight, and now, she couldn't leave after all.

The doctor sounded relieved that he had reached her in time. "Come to the hospital tomorrow for a checkup. I'll assess whether you're fit to fly."

The doctor hung up, and the cab arrived.

The driver rolled down his window. "Miss, are you getting in?"

Maria hesitated, then said, "Yes. Take me to the Blue Moon Hotel."

She made a point of avoiding any hotel linked to Richard. After she checked in, she soaked in a long, hot bath and closed her eyes as she thought about her situation.

If flying was impossible, she could book passage on a ship and leave by sea. It would be slower, but she could see the scenery and get there in three to five days. It wasn't so bad.

Her nose suddenly itched as she thought about it. Fighting off the drowsiness, she looked down and saw little blooms of blood spreading in the tub. She pinched her nose to stop it and sat still for a while, then got up and went to bed.

Her phone was quiet all night.

Maybe Richard had read the letter and was glad she had given the spot to Eleanor.

She lay down on the bed and fell asleep without realizing it.

The next morning, she packed and was about to head to the hospital when her phone rang. The caller ID read "Mrs. Jones."

Maria paused. It was Jonathan's homeroom teacher.

"Hello, Mrs. Jones?" Maria answered.

Mrs. Jones' tone was urgent as she explained to Maria, "Is this Jonathan's mother? Can you come to the school right away? Jonathan got into a fight and scratched another child's forehead. The other parents are here and want to speak with you."

Maria's heart tightened with maternal instinct. "What about Jonathan? Is he hurt?"

"He's not hurt, but he won't apologize. The other parents are really upset," Mrs. Jones said helplessly.

It was a weekday, and Richard would be busy. Maria had always handled school matters.

She told herself she could do this one last thing as Jonathan's mother. She couldn't bear to imagine the boy facing teachers and angry parents alone.

And so, Maria went straight to the school. She got out of the car and hurried to Mrs. Jones's office, picturing Jonathan lonely and scared.

Before she even entered, a clear, sweet voice reached her.

"Jonny didn't start it. He was scolded for not doing his homework. When he got upset, your child kept teasing him for not getting a gold star. That's why they fought. How can the fault be with Jonny, Mr. Cook?"

Maria's heart skipped a beat as she listened. She stepped inside and took in the scene, her breathing turning rapid.

Eleanor stood in a light-colored strapless dress, her hair half tied by a white ribbon, looking impossibly graceful even from the back. Richard stood beside her in a black suit, shoulders broad. Jonathan, the child Maria dedicated her whole life to, was hugging Eleanor's hand, leaning into her.

The three of them looked like a happy family.

The other parent, calmed by Eleanor's words, dropped the complaint.

Eleanor bent and ruffled Jonathan's hair. "Jonny, why don't you apologize to Sam?"

Jonny pouted, but went over and apologized.

Both families reconciled.

The teachers around them sighed in relief and looked at Eleanor with admiration. "Mrs. Shaw, you really have a way with children. Jonathan wouldn't apologize at all before. All you need to say is a few words, and he listens."

Richard's expression tightened with a frown. "She's not…"

Mr. Cook laughed. "Mr. Shaw, you're lucky to have a wife like her. Mine's a real handful! You two are perfect together. I wish you both plenty of happiness."

Richard's face darkened. "She's not his mother."

Eleanor's smile froze and she hugged Jonathan a little closer.

Jonathan blurted, "She may not be my real mom, but she's way better!"

The room became awkward, and Richard shot Jonathan a warning glare.

Maria watched from the doorway, chest tight and light-headed. She gripped the doorframe and watched it all. She felt like she was wilting, a woman dying from her sickness. Everyone she had thought of as family was slipping away, all running toward the blooming Eleanor.

Jonathan suddenly turned and saw her.

"Mom!" he shouted; he broke away from Eleanor and ran out.

When Richard saw Maria, he walked straight over. For a moment, Maria was stunned.

Jonathan yanked at Maria's sleeve, eyes full of anger. "It's all your fault! Why didn't you make me do my homework last night? If you did, I wouldn't have missed the gold star. Sam wouldn't tease me, and I wouldn't have fought with him! It's all your fault!"

He pulled and shoved her. Even a child could apply a lot of force; Maria felt faint and staggered, almost falling. Someone caught her—she found herself in Richard's arms.

He lowered his head and glared at Jonathan. "Apologize to your mother! Who said you can treat her like that? Not making you do your homework? You're old enough to do your homework by yourself!"

At home, Richard had always used strict discipline. Jonathan was afraid of an angry Richard, and he instantly trembled and went quiet. His eyes were red, but he pouted and still refused to apologize.

Maria steadied herself and gently pushed Richard away.

Noticing she wasn't doing alright, he looked at her with concern. "Are you okay?"

Maria shook her head.

Richard squeezed her hand to reassure her and said sternly, "Jonathan, apologize."

Jonathan shuddered.

Behind Jonathan, Eleanor's eyes narrowed as she looked at the way Richard and Maria's hands clasped. Then she quickly looked away, stepping forward with a smile.

"Richard, don't be so harsh. Jonny just got scolded after a fight, and he's still upset. I'm sure his mom won't hold it against him, right?"

Maria looked up and met Eleanor's eyes. Now that they were close, she could smell a faint citrus scent on Eleanor—the same scent she had noticed on Richard the night before. Her heart shuddered as she reflexively pulled her hand away from Richard.

Eleanor smiled widely and didn't seem to mind Maria not answering her. "Richard, this is my first time meeting Jonathan's mom. Aren't you going to introduce us?"

Richard froze, taken aback.