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.

I returned home, my head spinning and feeling disoriented. In that haze, I heard Seraphina's voice.

She was just like before, bounding into my arms with her sweet voice, calling me "Mom." I looked at her joyfully, wanting to hold her close, but suddenly she disappeared.

Panicked, I called out, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't find her.

“Seraphina!”

I shouted, struggling to open my eyes. There was a knock at the door.

For a brief moment, I hoped she had come back, and I hurried to open the door.

Standing outside was Adrian.

“What are you doing here?” I suddenly became more alert.

Adrian looked at me, his brow furrowed. “Stop causing a scene and come home with me. There’s no need for this.”

I frowned slightly. “What are you talking about?”

He grabbed my hand firmly, pulling me toward the door. “Melina, you’ve been upset long enough. It’s time to move on.”

“Let go of me!” I was furious. “Who says I want to go back with you?”

I pulled my hand free from his grip. He turned around, looking somewhat surprised.

“Melina, are you really leaving?” he asked in a deep voice.

I nodded. “Yes, there’s nothing between us anymore.”

“Think it over. You’ll regret it,” he warned.

I let out a sarcastic laugh. “The only thing I regret is falling in love with you in the first place.”

With a bang, I slammed the door shut, leaning my trembling body against it.

Adrian stood outside for a long time before finally leaving.

Later, I received a message from Clementine.

“Melina, thank you for making it possible for me and Adrian.”

Her words dripped with smugness.

Attached was a photo of her hand adorned with a diamond ring.

I instinctively looked at my own bare fingers, realizing that was something I had never had.