Asher's expression remained indifferent, and he was clearly unbothered. "Just rest well in the hospital. You don't need to worry about giving us gifts."

He finished speaking and glanced at his phone screen. Carter, beside him, also pursed his lips, looking utterly uninterested.

Winona took in the father's and son's reactions. Her lips curved slightly.

They were not interested now, but the moment they actually saw the divorce agreement, they would probably be more excited than anyone.

She suddenly wondered what they actually thought of her. An emotional substitute? A nanny? Or perhaps just a familiar stranger living under the same roof as them?

With that thought, she decided to ask directly.

Before she could finish speaking, however, a sweet female voice rang out from Asher's phone.

"Asher, pick up my call, okay? Or else I'll get mad!"

Winona froze.

As a CEO, Asher's ringtone had always been the default ringtone set by the system. However, she quickly got a grasp of the situation. Her nails dug deep into her palms.

This must have been from when Asher and Ella were still dating. He had recorded Ella's voice and set it as her personal ringtone.

It turned out that the currently cold and emotionless Asher had once done such sweet things too. Six years later, he still had not deleted it. He must have been waiting for it to ring all these years.

Asher answered without the slightest hesitation. Faint sobbing sounds came through from the other end.

Asher immediately stood up, grabbed his jacket from nearby, and headed toward the door. "I'll be right there."

His tone carried a rare tenderness.

Only after hanging up at the doorway did he seem to remember something. He looked back at Winona on the hospital bed and said calmly, "A friend ran into some trouble. I need to go handle it. Rest well."

Perhaps Asher's urgency to reach Ella's side was too overwhelming. He did not even realize how clumsy his lie sounded.

What kind of friend would deserve such a personalized ringtone?

Carter had already followed closely behind Asher the moment he stood up. "Mom, I want to go with Dad."

Winona finally realized the father and son had not been listening to her at all. Even after rushing to the hospital from Ella's place, Ella was still the only person on their minds.

They had been staring at the phone to catch her call the instant it came through.

Winona lowered her eyes and softly hummed in acknowledgment. Although they had not answered her question, she already got the answer she needed.

After the father and son left, Winona dialed her lawyer's number. "Draft a divorce agreement and send it to me as soon as possible."

The lawyer asked in a businesslike tone, "What about custody of Mr. Carter? Do you want it?"

"No," Winona said quietly. "I don't want anything or anyone connected to the Rhodes family."

All she wanted now was a divorce.

Winona stayed in the hospital for a full week before her allergic reaction completely went away.

During that week, she saw the photos Ella posted every single day.

It turned out the trouble Asher had mentioned was nothing more than cockroaches that had not been fully cleared from Ella's house. The father and son helped her find a new place, bought new furniture, and gradually turned an empty house into a cozy home, piece by piece.

On the day of her discharge, Asher and Carter, who had been absent for a week, finally appeared.

Seeing that Winona had already handled the discharge paperwork on her own, a rare trace of guilt flickered across Asher's stern face.

"I'm sorry I didn't come to the hospital these past few days. I've been busy helping my friend. She just came back to the country and doesn't know anyone else. I'm the only one who can help her."

Asher rarely apologized.

In the past, Winona would have been understanding and said it was fine. This time, however, she simply opened the car door calmly and got in. "I know. Let's go home."

Asher's gaze landed on Winona with slight surprise. Was she angry? However, he quickly dismissed the thought.

In their six years of marriage, Winona had always been gentle and understanding. She had never once thrown a tantrum at him. He was probably overthinking it.

After getting in the car, Winona kept her eyes closed to rest. However, she could feel a burning gaze repeatedly landing on her.

She opened her eyes and met Carter's stare head-on.

Seeing she was awake, Carter asked cautiously, "Mom, has your allergy gotten better?"

"Yes."

Just as she finished speaking, the car came to a stop. Winona opened the door and got out. After taking just two steps, she heard a low murmur from behind.

"Too bad. Ella can't be my mom now..."

Winona's steps froze. Her heart felt like it was being gnawed on by countless ants.

This was the son she had carried for nine months and raised for five years. Not only did he feel no fear or guilt for nearly killing her, but he even regretted not successfully clearing away the obstacle she represented for Ella.

How ironic.

Winona suppressed the pain in her chest and went straight to the bedroom. Carter's wish would come true soon enough.

That evening, Winona went to bed early. The space beside her was cold.

Asher often worked late in his study before coming to bed, so they barely spoke before sleeping. She was used to it by now.

Just as she was drifting off, a pair of large hands pulled her into a warm embrace. Asher's hot breath brushed against her neck, sending a shiver through her.

Winona was forced to open her eyes. Her sharp gaze caught sight of a long, golden, curly hair on Asher's shirt collar. She had always kept her hair black and straight.

A sudden wave of nausea surged up her throat. Winona abruptly pulled away from his embrace.

Asher snapped awake with a frown. "Haven't you recovered?"

Winona suddenly found it laughable.

His heart clearly belonged to another woman, yet here he was, acting concerned. Who was this performance for?

"Asher, I just realized you're not even as brave as a child."

At least Carter dared to say out loud that he wanted Ella to be his mother. Asher only referred to Ella with the word 'friend'.

Asher did not understand what she meant and asked in confusion, "What are you talking about?"

Winona let out a soft laugh. She did not want to put up with his fake front any longer and turned her back to him.

Asher lost all interest as well. He got up and left the bedroom.

Hearing the click of the door, Winona kept her eyes tightly shut.

…

The next morning, Winona received the divorce agreement from her lawyer.

[Ms. Warren, it's been drafted.]

She replied: [Thank you.]

She had just finished replying when Carter came downstairs and walked over to her.

"Mom, my birthday party has to be really grand this time. I want to invite someone very important."

Only then did Winona remember that Carter's birthday was coming up. She lowered her eyes and stayed silent for a long moment before agreeing.

This would also be the last birthday she would spend with Carter.

After getting her answer, Carter happily headed off to school with his backpack. Once he left, Winona opened a flight booking app and bought a plane ticket. The departure time was set for three days later, on the evening of Carter's birthday.

Over the next three days, Winona was busy preparing for Carter's birthday party. She also bought all the gifts he would receive from age six to 18 in advance.

He was still her flesh and blood. Even if they would never see each other again after this, she would fulfill her duty as a mother until he turned 18.

…

On Carter's birthday, numerous guests arrived at the invitation. Winona stood beside Asher, holding Carter's hand. They were surrounded by everyone in the center.

Unlike previous years, when he was always excited on his birthday, Carter seemed unusually sullen today. He kept kicking at pebbles on the ground, his small head constantly turning toward the entrance.

Even Asher kept glancing down at his watch.

Winona thought perhaps something about the party was not up to standard. Just then, a female voice rang out from the entrance.

"Carter!"

Carter's head shot up, and his eyes lit up. He pushed past Winona, who was standing in front of him, and ran toward the door.

"Ella!"

Winona stumbled, nearly falling to the ground. She took several steps back before barely managing to steady herself.

Carter did not notice at all. Like a baby bird returning to its nest, he threw himself into Ella's embrace. The dejection vanished from his face, replaced by a bright smile.

"You're finally here! I've been waiting for you."

Ella laughed and pinched his cheek, saying gently, "Traffic delayed me a bit. Sorry to keep the birthday boy waiting."

Asher also walked toward Ella. His usually cold expression showed a trace of a smile.

Winona endured the faint pain radiating from her ankle. She stood among the crowd, watching her husband and son abandon her to gather around Ella. Bitterness spread from her heart and through her entire body.

She should have known. The only person who could make the father and son act so strangely was Ella.

The very important person Carter mentioned must have been her too.

The lively crowd around them suddenly fell quiet. They exchanged glances with each other. After a long moment, the murmuring began.

"Who is that? Why would Mr. Rhodes and Carter personally greet her?"

"Could she be the real Mrs. Rhodes? Did we all mistake the wrong person earlier?"

"No, I heard she's Mr. Rhodes' first love from when he studied abroad. The one he couldn't have. She only recently came back to the country."

"God, poor Mrs. Rhodes. Her husband's first love shows up openly at their son's birthday party..."

"Shh, keep your voice down. Mrs. Rhodes is still here."

Winona looked away. Her heart only felt bitter now. There was no more pain.

After tonight, she would no longer be Mrs. Rhodes.

While everyone whispered, Carter was pulling Ella around the venue, eagerly showing her everything.

"Ella, this is my favorite cartoon character!" Carter pointed excitedly at different displays. "These are all my photos from when I was born, and this is a painting I did myself."

Asher followed beside them, his gaze carrying a faint smile. After making a full circle around the banquet hall, the three of them finally appeared before Winona.

"Ella, this is my mom."

Unlike his excited tone earlier, Carter's voice carried obvious reluctance now.

Ella's expression remained calm. She patted Carter's head and said with a smile, "Ms. Warren, you're so lucky to have such a well-behaved child like Carter."

Winona smiled back. "You will be as lucky too."

After tonight, not only Carter but Asher would be Ella's as well.

Carter did not want to linger in front of Winona. The next second, he pulled Ella away.

Asher instinctively moved to follow but caught sight of Winona standing alone, out of place with the lively atmosphere around her. For once, he softened his voice. "Thank you for your hard work preparing the party these past few days. Ella can keep Carter company. Why don't you go back to your room and rest?"

Winona lowered her eyes, hiding the mockery beneath them.

How desperately did he want to be with Ella that he would ask his own wife, their son's biological mother, to leave the birthday party?

Even so, she said nothing. She turned and went upstairs. She no longer wanted to waste time on these meaningless matters.

When it was time for Carter to make his wish, a maid called Winona back downstairs.

In the banquet hall, Carter stood in front of a giant cake, ready to make his wish. Ella and Asher stood on either side of him.

Winona stopped in her tracks when she saw the scene. It was such a harmonious picture. Anyone else joining would seem superfluous.

Noticing Winona's figure, Ella gave her an apologetic smile. "Ms. Warren, I'm so sorry."

She moved to step away from Carter's side, but Carter's small hand clutched tightly at Ella's clothes. He refused to let her leave. "Mom, I want Ella to stay with me."

Asher glanced at him and agreed. "It's Carter's birthday. Let's go along with what he wants. Don't take it personally."

Winona stood where she was and nodded calmly. She was about to let go of this father-son pair entirely. Why would she care about an insignificant position?

Carter visibly brightened. He closed his eyes, pressed his palms together, and made his wish.

"I hope I can grow up happy and healthy."

He paused for a moment. The next instant, he spoke in Istralian.

"I also hope Ella can be my mom!"