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.

Maria watched Richard in silence, somewhat pale. Standing beside him was his legal wife. How was he supposed to introduce her in front of the woman he truly loved? If she were in his place, she would be stuck as well.

Richard met her eyes.

"This is Eleanor Cooper. We've known each other for a long time. She's…" he said quietly, pausing before continuing, "…a friend."

Maybe it was Maria's imagination, but when Richard said the word friend, it sounded unusually stiff. She trembled, but she kept her voice steady. "A long time? I see, so you were childhood friends."

Eleanor smiled.

"No, we met when we were twenty. Back then…" She covered her mouth and giggled softly. "Back then, Richard's haircut was so funny. It was a modern take on a traditional style. Heads turned the moment he got on campus."

Richard shook his head helplessly. "Are you bringing that up again?"

"So what if I do? I still have pictures from back then. Don't make me angry, or I'll show them to your wife," Eleanor teased, reaching over to tap Richard's arm.

Jonathan ran up and hugged Eleanor's arm. "What pictures? I want to see!"

Seeing them together was difficult for Maria. Anyone watching would think Eleanor belonged with the father and son, and that Maria was the outsider.

Eleanor smoothed Jonathan's cheek and winked. "I'll show you in secret later."

Richard smiled faintly and glanced at Maria, who looked so fragile and thin that he feared she might fall from a breeze. He hurried after her and caught her arm.

"What's wrong? Don't get angry at Jonathan. I'll teach him a lesson. I'll make him apologize at home tomorrow properly."

Maria bit her lip. "Did you read what I left you?"

Richard looked puzzled. "What did you leave?"

Seeing that he hadn't read her letter, Maria forced a small smile. "Never mind. I'm going home first. Remember to look in the study tonight."

"I'll take you home," Richard said, signaling to the driver across the street to pull over.

Maria refused to get in. Instead, she pulled her arm free and insisted on taking a cab. Richard stood and watched the cab drive off, then Eleanor came over and chatted with him.

Maria glanced back and saw them laughing together after Eleanor seemed to say something to him. She turned away, feeling a sharp sting in her palm. When she opened her hand, she saw purplish crescent marks where she had clenched her fist.

She didn't look back and left resolutely.

Back at the hotel, the doctor called and asked her to come in for a pressure test in two days.

Maria didn't want to stay, but the testing schedule was crowded with elderly patients who had to fly for treatment. Among the many patients on the schedule, she was the only person who was seriously ill and needed the test.

She went back to the hotel and deleted all of Richard's contact information.

At five, Jonathan was brought home by the driver. He tossed his bag aside and shouted, "Mom! I'm doing my homework now. I don't want to get in trouble at school again!"

He regretted playing the night before. Even though his mom nagged, he would lose his gold star and fall behind his classmates if he ignored her reminders. He didn't want to be teased by others!

Jonathan ran through the house looking for Maria, but he couldn't find her. "Mr. Graham, where's my mom?"

Mr. Graham came from the kitchen. "I haven't seen the madam. Maybe she's out. Would you like some egg custard?"

Jonathan pouted. "Yours isn't as good as Mom's. Never mind."

He went back to his room, played his console for a while, then glanced at the time and brought his homework out from the study. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, he muttered, "It's just homework. I can do it myself."

However, he quickly realized he couldn't.

No one was there to explain the questions. No one to help him massage his eyes when his eyes got tired. He had gotten used to his mom handing him fruit while he worked.

Annoyed, he went to find the butler and the maids. But the butler wasn't familiar with his schoolwork, and the maids didn't know how to help with his study routine. They could slice the fruits for him, but they didn't know when he wanted them to feed him.

Jonathan's face fell. He remembered how relaxing it was to do homework on the balcony, with a breeze and his mom beside him. Maybe homework wasn't so bad.

He finally couldn't take it. "I'm calling Mom!"

Mr. Graham quickly handed him his smartwatch. After several rings, she picked up.

"Mom, where are you? Why aren't you home?" Jonathan demanded.

Maria was silent for two seconds, then asked quietly, "Do you need something?"

"I'm still waiting for you to help me with my homework. Are you trying to get me punished again tomorrow? Come home," Jonathan urged, his tone upset.

Maria's grip tightened around the phone. Her expression cooled. She had given everything, and ended up raising a boy who was impatient only with her but polite with everyone else. She had never been shown any real respect.

"Don't you like Eleanor? Go ask her for help. Don't call me."

Then, she hung up.

Jonathan was stunned; he held the watch, unable to believe his mother was being so cold with him.

A car soon pulled up downstairs, and Jonathan ran to complain to Richard.

Richard listened and snorted. "You brought this on yourself by making her angry. I'll go find her. When she comes back, you will apologize to her properly. Understood?"

Jonathan mumbled an unwilling yes.

Half an hour later, someone knocked on Maria's door at the hotel. She opened it, expecting a hotel staff member. Instead, she met a pair of dark eyes.

She froze. "How did you find me?"

Richard stepped in carrying a bowl of ravioli. "Have you eaten? I got these for you. Crab ravioli with extra vinegar, just how you like it. Eat while they're hot."

He was still in the same crisp suit he wore to the company, the one she had ironed for him. He took off his suit, looked around the room, and started packing her things as he rolled up his sleeves and got Maria's coat.

"Come home with me. It's not convenient here. Jonny needs some discipline. Let's go back and handle him together. Don't run away just because you're angry."

Maria quietly watched him crouch to fold her clothes and felt a single tear fall. She quickly turned her head and wiped it away.

"Did you look at what I left on your desk?"

Richard froze and looked up. "What did you leave? You've already asked me that twice today."

Maria stood in the doorway. "You'll know after you give the letter a read. I'm not going back with you. Just go home."

Richard ignored her and set her high heels in front of her. "Come on, Jonny's waiting for you. Come home with me."

"He only wants someone to do his homework for him. If I don't, he'll find someone else tonight." Maria turned her face away. "Just go. I'm not going back."

Without asking, Richard grabbed her ankle and dropped to one knee, his trousers creasing. "We both need you."

Maria gave a bitter laugh. "Seems like you need Eleanor more. She fixed everything at school today, and Jonny listened to her."

Richard's expression darkened, and he chuckled. "Are you jealous? No matter how good she is, she's not Jonny's mother."

"She could be, if you wanted her to." Maria pushed him off.

The amusement drained from Richard's face. He looked up at her. "What do you mean by that?"

"Why don't we get a divorce? You marry Eleanor and let her raise Jonny," she said casually.

Richard tossed the heels aside and stood with a dark expression. His tall physique shadowed hers as he stood by the doorway. "What did you just say? Divorce?"

"That's right. If there's someone better suited to be your wife and Jonny's mother, what are you waiting for?!"

Maria's anger flared as she lost control of her emotions. She felt his hypocrisy so sharply. Their marriage certificate was fake, yet he acted as if divorce was forbidden. One sentence, and their bond of seven years could be over. There wasn't even any paperwork that needed to be signed!

Maria turned away, but Richard grabbed her wrist. His handsome face was dark, his chest rising and falling in agitation.

"Without my permission, there will be no divorce. Say whatever you want, but don't throw that word around."

Maria met him with a cold expression.

"So what if I say it? It's not a crime. Or are you planning to keep both of us, your wife and your lover?"

If Richard chose to, even his seven-year wife could become a mistress in a heartbeat, and he could still marry Eleanor.

"When did you get so unreasonable?" Richard snapped. "There's nothing between me and Eleanor! You can't make things up just because you're unhappy."

"So what if I make things up? If you can't stand me, then divorce me!" Maria shoved his hand off. "Get out! I don't want to see you!"

Richard's patience ran thin. He pulled Maria into a kiss, trying to smother their argument by force and make them forget every shred of unhappiness between them.

A girl passing by the open door gasped at the scene.

Maria trembled and pushed him away. Richard held her by the waist and shut the door with one hand. He pressed her against it, one hand sliding up under her clothing, touching along her chilled skin.

Maria trembled even more. It wasn't only because of the agitation she felt from being sickly, but it was also the revulsion at his overbearing touch. How could he pretend to love her all these years, marry her, and have a child with her, and still treat her like this?

As all those thoughts flooded into her mind, she couldn't take it anymore. She shoved him hard and fled to the bathroom. She hadn't eaten, and her stomach spasmed.

Richard followed and steadied her. "Why are you throwing up again? This isn't just you feeling unwell. Come to the hospital with me."

"I'm not going…"

Before she finished, Richard scooped her up like a princess. Her head ached, and she felt too weak to struggle. She was also prone to motion sickness, so she was feeling even worse now. She shut her eyes and tried to stay still.

Richard drove fast, glancing over at her the whole way as he sped through traffic to the hospital.

They finally arrived.

Maria was registered, had her tests ordered, and then ran the tests…

Maria felt sick the whole time, swallowing her saliva while nurses took her through the tests as if she were some marionette. When she came out, Richard waited in the corridor with a cup of honeyed drink.

"Drink this. It'll make you warm."

She didn't take it. She sat down, pale.

"I shouldn't have argued with you today," Richard said. He hooked her pinky with his and gave a small smile.

This was one of those little gestures he used to charm her, as he wasn't someone who could charm with words. Maria felt a small, unwanted flutter in her chest as the familiarity awakened her memory.

"Let's go home after the tests, okay?" Richard asked.

Maria was just about to answer when a shadow fell over them.

"Richard, what are you doing here?" Eleanor's curious face appeared.

Richard released Maria's hand. "Maria's not feeling well, so I came with her for the tests. Why are you here in the hospital at this hour?"

Eleanor looked awkward and clutched her test results behind her back. "Oh, nothing."

Richard frowned. "Let me see."

She hesitated and handed him the paper. His face tightened as he read it. "Didn't you already have your cardiac bypass surgery? Why are you having chest pains again?"

"It's an old problem," Eleanor said, voice small.

"Keep taking your meds and rest. If you need anything, contact Morgan," Richard said gently.

Maria's chest sank. Morgan Davis was Richard's personal assistant. All these years, he had never worked for anyone other than Richard and her.

But for Eleanor, the rules were different. As expected of Richard's true love!

Maria's breathing grew quicker.

Richard bent and rubbed her back. "Feeling any better? You've been throwing up a lot. That's more than just a little sick. Let's see what the doctor says."

Throwing up a lot?

Eleanor's eyes narrowed and glanced at Maria's stomach, the gears in her head turning.

"I'm going to the bathroom," she said, then slipped into the exam room.

Inside, the doctor murmured to a nurse, "Throw that report away. Use the one I replaced. Don't say anything."

Eleanor waited until the nurse left and fished the crumpled paper from the trash. She smoothed it out. The two characters on the paper read—brain tumor.

She froze.

Outside, the nurse told Richard, "It's just mild gastritis. Some meds and she'll be fine."

Maria exchanged a relieved glance with the nurse. She had no intention of telling anyone about the diagnosis before she left and was grateful the doctor respected her wishes.

Richard draped his coat over her shoulders and said, "Let's go home."

"Richard…" Eleanor called, appearing again. "It's late, and cabs might be hard to find. Can you drop me off first?"

She clutched her chest as if fragile. Maria instinctively pulled her hand away from Richard, planning to use the moment to slip away. However, Richard squeezed her hand instead. "Maria's not well. I'll take her first and call you a cab."

Eleanor's face froze, and she clenched her fists.

Maria caught the look and realized Richard would never openly dote on Eleanor in front of her. She felt the sting of it and stepped into the elevator with him.

"I won't force you. I'll drop you at the hotel," he promised.

She hesitated, then got in.

Richard did drive her back to the hotel, but once again stepped into the elevator and went up. Maria wanted to quickly leave him outside, but he didn't expect the room door was already open.

A maid was making the sofa into a bed with Jonny's blue bear sheets.

Jonny sulked over homework and sniffed when he saw Maria. "It's late, and you're still nagging Dad and me. Dad has to get up early for work tomorrow!"

Maria's chest tightened. She ignored the boy and went to her bedroom, closing the door.

Outside, Richard scolded Jonny. Inside, Maria noticed Richard had brought over his clothes and laptop for the next day while they were at the hospital. She pursed her lips, not understanding what Richard wanted to do.

She went to turn off the laptop, then suddenly noticed the browser's search history. There was one entry that froze her and made her unable to move her eyes away.

Personal marital status search.

Her fingers went stiff as she clicked the history link and was taken to the results page—she couldn't even say why she did that.

She stared at the screen in disbelief. She had to check again to make sure she could believe the results she was seeing.

Richard's marital status was…

Married.

And in the field where the name of the wife was, two words were stated clearly.

Eleanor Cooper.

The color drained from her face instantly.

Richard hadn't just faked a marriage with her—he had secretly married Eleanor, too! On the household registry were Richard, Eleanor, and a child, as if they were the real family.

Maria felt like she had been a free nanny for seven years.

What about Jonathan? Did he know that Eleanor and Richard were actually married…?