It was the day of Seraphina’s funeral.

Adrian said he couldn’t attend because of work commitments. Instead, he sent over a small Victorian-style dress, the one Seraphina had been longing for. I remembered how excitedly Seraphina had told Adrian that Thanksgiving was coming up, and she wished for that very dress. Adrian had promised her he would buy it before Thanksgiving. But he hadn’t.

Thanksgiving had long since passed, and the dress never made it into her hands.

I took the dress and quietly asked, “Seraphina loved this dress for so long, why didn’t she get it for her birthday?”

Adrian paused before replying, “I forgot.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly. Seraphina cherished that gift so much, how could she not have reminded him? The truth was, even if Seraphina had mentioned it, Adrian probably didn’t care enough to pay attention.

I carried the dress over to Seraphina’s gravestone, gently placing it down. “Seraphina, it’s Mommy who let you down.”

I crouched down, my fingers tracing the youthful features of Seraphina’s face in the photograph. She was smiling so joyfully, her eyes curving like crescent moons. Yet, I had failed to keep that happiness alive.

I recalled the last time I tried to celebrate Seraphina’s birthday, buying a doll that matched the style of the dress. Seraphina was quick; she immediately recognized the doll and its connection to the dress she wanted. Clutching the doll with her eyes sparkling, she asked, “Mom, did Dad send this to me through you?”

I nodded, “Yes, your dad is busy with work, so Mom brought it for you.”

Seraphina hugged the doll tightly and said, “Thank you, Mommy!”

I stroked her hair. She was so understanding; she surely must have known the gift was from me. But she chose to pretend otherwise, just to protect my feelings.

My darling daughter…

The tears flowed, unstoppable.

After the funeral, I returned to the house and packed up Seraphina's and my belongings, ready to finally leave this place that had never truly been ours. Honestly, there wasn't much to collect—a few scattered pieces of clothing and Seraphina's small stash of toys.

Adrian had started his business ventures back in college, and his natural talent had quickly made him a rising star in the business world. Yet, he rarely spent any of his wealth on Seraphina or me. All his money went to Clementine.

As I lugged my suitcase downstairs, I unexpectedly bumped into Adrian.

"Where are you going?" he asked, his brows knitting together in confusion.

I met his gaze with calm resolve. "Where I'm headed is no longer your concern."

His eyes narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I've made it clear before, Adrian," I stated, holding his gaze steadily. "There's nothing left between us."

Adrian let out a sharp laugh. "Melina, do you think you can just walk away like that?"

I frowned slightly, "Adrian, I've already let you go. Please, let me go too."

His anger twisted into a bitter smile as he stepped forward, gripping my shoulders tightly. "You were the one who insisted on marrying me. Now you want to leave as if I meant nothing?"

The pain made me wince, and I struggled to break free. Adrian, what about me? What did I ever mean to you?

I looked at the face I once knew so well, now both familiar and alien, and felt a wave of dizziness.

In truth, Adrian had been good to me once. Especially after my parents passed away suddenly, he took extra care of me. He would spend his meager allowance on snacks for me, try to cheer me up when I was down, and patiently help me with my studies.

But everything changed when Clementine transferred to our high school. Adrian began to distance himself, spending more time with her. Everyone said he was into Clementine, and I was just in the way.

I tried to win his affection, but it only made his disdain more apparent. Even those around him mocked me, saying I was a fool, wagging my tail for Adrian's attention, yet never getting a second glance.

What hurt the most was when Adrian nodded in agreement with those words. I felt like a clown, my only purpose to be laughed at.

Snapping back to reality, I pulled myself from Adrian's grasp and fled outside. His angry shouts echoed behind me.

I quickened my pace, too scared to stop.

I had just moved into my new apartment when my condition suddenly took a turn for the worse. The pain was searing, as if my head would explode. Cold sweat soaked through me as I collapsed to the floor, curling up in agony. The doctors had already informed me—I had a brain tumor, and it had turned malignant. My time might be limited.

That's why I needed to leave Adrian. The thought of my tombstone reading "his wife" was unbearable. He repulsed me, and I despised myself for staying with him for so long. I fought against the pain with all I had, but eventually, I succumbed and lost consciousness.

Before fading into darkness, an image of Seraphina in a hospital bed came to mind. On the day of the accident, my illness had flared up. She was so small, her tears falling as she desperately wiped my sweat and insisted on calling her father for help. I tried to reach out, but all I heard was the cold, busy signal on the line. Seraphina decided to find him herself. I couldn't stop her; she ran out so quickly. And then came the accident.

When I came to, night had already fallen. It dawned on me how long it had been since I'd stepped outside. I forced myself to get up and went out. The evening breeze was cool, gently caressing my skin. As I wandered down the street, watching the bustling crowd, I felt utterly disconnected from the world around me.

I walked aimlessly until I found myself in front of a shopping mall. Seeing the display of stuffed animals, I thought of Seraphina. She used to love them, but Adrian never cared for them, so he never bought her any. I went inside and chose a small plush bunny. Just as I was about to pay, I caught a glimpse of a familiar figure out of the corner of my eye.

In a jewelry store not far from me, Adrian and Clementine Dixon were walking out, hand in hand. Clementine was beaming, wearing the very sweater I had lovingly knitted for Adrian. Each stitch was a piece of my heart, now worn by another woman.

A wave of bitterness coursed through me, yet there was also a sense of liberation. Adrian had hurt me so many times over the years. By now, I should have relinquished all hope. With Thanksgiving approaching, it was all the more apparent—our time as a family had truly ended.