At 10:00 pm, Justine was curled beneath the covers, wrapped in layer after layer. Even so, she was unable to stop the creeping chill that climbed up her limbs. Her head throbbed with fever. Heat and chills rolled through her body in waves, leaving her dazed and shivering.

At some point, she passed out. She didn't know when she fell asleep, and she wasn't sure when she woke up.

Eventually, she stumbled out of bed and tried to pour herself some water. But her hand gave out. The kettle slipped from her grasp and clattered on the floor, sending scalding water splashing across her feet and legs.

The pain jolted her into momentary alertness.

Instinctively, she turned toward the bathroom and fumbled to turn on the cold water, but as soon as she opened the tap, the world spun violently. Her body gave out, and she collapsed into the tub.

The last thought that flickered through her foggy mind was, "Is this really how it ends?"

But fate wasn't quite ready to let go of Justine. She woke up in a hospital bed, dazed and blinking against the sterile white lights. There was a brief surge of relief—she was alive.

But the moment of grace was short-lived. Because the first thing she saw was Noah standing in the doorway, his jaw clenched and his eyes filled with fury. He stormed toward her without a word.

Without a glance at her pale face, he grabbed her by the collar and snapped, "What the hell is wrong with you? What are you doing? You think faking a breakdown is going to win you some pity now?"

Justine coughed violently. She had only just regained consciousness, and her fever hadn't broken. His grip on her sent her into a coughing fit so violent her lips turned pale and the rims of her eyes reddened.

But Noah only saw what he wanted to see and barked, "Don't pull this crap on me. You might've fooled my parents back then, but I see right through you."

When her coughing finally eased, Justine shoved his hand away. Her voice was low and hoarse, each word deliberate. "I'm not looking for pity. I walked four hours in a downpour yesterday, from the graveyard to the city. I was exhausted and burning up. That's why I collapsed. If I had a choice, I'd rather your attention never land on me again."

She had already suffered enough because of him.

Noah froze. His hand fell away, and something flickered in his eyes. "You… You walked back?"

She thought, "What does it matter now?"

Justine pulled her gown back into place and lay down again, pulling the blanket up to her chin.

At that moment, Gavin burst into the ward, his voice sharp with irritation. "Dad! Why are you still talking to this freak? Ms. Gilbert's been waiting forever!"

He glared at Justine like she was some filthy intruder ruining their perfect little family. "You couldn't get a ride? What, are you too dumb to use a phone? You're faking it. I've seen the characters on TV dramas do this exact thing. You're disgusting."

Noah instinctively felt that Gavin had gone too far, but instead of facing the guilt gnawing at his conscience, he leaned into his son's version of the truth. With a scoff, he said, "Justine, I really underestimated you."

From the hallway, Hazel appeared. She leaned weakly against the doorframe and whispered breathily, "Noah, maybe I should just get a cab and head home... Justine doesn't look good."

As she spoke, her body gave a theatrical sway, like she was about to faint right then and there.

Noah rushed forward and caught her just before she collapsed, his expression full of concern. "If you're dizzy, just sit down and wait for me. I just came to check on her. I won't stay long."

Justine let out a soft laugh. He hadn't even come to the hospital specifically for her.

Hazel was still playing her act. "Really, I'm fine. You should stay here and take care of Justine instead—"

She suddenly yelped. Noah had scooped her up without warning. As he carried her out, he looked back and tossed a cold remark over his shoulder. "Don't waste your time."

Gavin trailed behind them, pulling faces at Justine like she was some kind of joke.

A young nurse, Madge Middleton, walked in to change Justine's bandages.

With a touch of admiration, she smiled and said, "They seem really close. Was that your brother and his wife?"

Justine replied flatly, "That was my husband, my son, and his first love."

Madge fell silent for a beat, then abruptly changed her tone, her voice thick with indignation. "God, no wonder that woman was acting so dramatic. She came in perfectly fine but demanded a full-body scan like she was barely breathing. She put on a whole show for nothing…"

Madge's abrupt change made Justine chuckle softly, and for the first time in nearly a year, her smile felt real.

Thankfully, her injuries weren't serious. The hospital kept her for observation for a week before discharging her.

No one came to pick her up.

Justine stepped outside and looked up at the sky, breathing in the clean air and feeling the breeze on her face. For the first time in a long while, she felt light and free. She walked alone down the tree-lined avenue. Her steps quickened. Then, she broke into a run.

So, this was what it felt like to let go of every emotional burden. This was freedom.

When she got home and opened the door, the electric kettle was still on the floor where it had fallen—proof of just how abruptly she had been taken to the hospital. And proof that Noah hadn't set foot back in the house once.

If it weren't for the neighbor downstairs calling emergency services when she collapsed, she might have died right at home.

She didn't feel anything.

She went to the walk-in closet and started packing up all the clothes and plush toys she had bought but never used. Their tags were still on. She sorted her things—new clothes, toys, unused kitchen appliances—into three large boxes.

After talking to the neighbor, who was more than willing to accept them, she dropped everything off.

Now, the closet was mostly empty. Just one winter coat and a few spare changes of clothes remained. She scanned the room, then opened a hidden drawer and pulled out a folder of jewelry design sketches.

Before marrying Noah, she was a respected jewelry designer, but she gave up on all of it for him. When it was time to leave, she would only take one thing with her—her dreams.

She was still packing when Noah's voice rang from the front door. "Justine?"

Justine's expression turned cold. Noah really had a way of ruining the moment.

As Noah's footsteps echoed down the hallway, he reached the door to the walk-in closet. The moment he saw how empty it was inside, his sharp words were caught in his throat.

Then, he scoffed, his voice dripping with mockery. "Wow, this again? So now, you're pulling a new stunt? You got discharged without telling me. Was that on purpose? Trying to guilt-trip me?

"And now what? You're clearing out the house like you're staging some dramatic runaway? What are you, five? I gave you a chance. Can you stop acting like a child for once?"

Justine hadn't said or done anything, yet somehow, she was already being scolded. She stared at Noah, her voice calm and even. "Are you done?"

Those three words shut Noah up completely. He looked at her in disbelief, suddenly realizing she wasn't the same woman anymore.

She wasn't asking about Hazel after he carried her out of the hospital. In fact, she hadn't said a word. That was unlike her.

Justine used to ask about every woman who got near him. She had even fought with him over Hazel more than once.

Noah wondered why she had suddenly become so calm. This had to be another manipulative act.

His expression twisted with disgust as he snapped, "You've changed, Justine! You used to be annoying, sure, but at least you had some charm. Now, there's nothing left."

Justine held his gaze, her tone even as she asked, "By charm, do you mean the way I used to tolerate all your cheating?"

"So, you're still mad? It's been over a week. Are you seriously holding a grudge for this long?" Noah's voice lifted like he had caught her red-handed. He sounded almost triumphant.

But Justine didn't respond. She just turned away and continued organizing her design sketches.

Noah thought he had hit a nerve and smirked, thinking he still had control. He scoffed. "Fine. Stay mad. I'm not coming back here for the next few days."

And he meant it. He didn't return home for an entire week.

Justine enjoyed the peace. She took her time, clearing out every last thing that belonged to her.

A few days later, the once-full home was reduced to a single couch and a hanging chair. Ironically, both were identical to the ones Hazel had posted online in the past.

Justine hadn't bothered buying a new phone after her old one broke. She figured she could make it through the next few days without one and then start over completely.

She boxed up some small items and took them to a charity sale. To avoid anyone she knew, she deliberately chose parks far away from her neighborhood.

Business was doing well—until she spotted three very familiar silhouettes heading her way.

Hazel's voice dripped with feigned surprise. "Justine? What are you doing out here? Selling... stuff?"

Noah had been frowning, already assuming Justine was pulling some new stunt. But when his eyes landed on the items displayed at her stall, his expression shifted instantly. His pupils constricted as he snapped, "Justine, these are our things! You're seriously selling them?"

Gavin recognized a few items too. He rushed forward and reached out. "That's my model car!"

Before he could grab it, Justine calmly pressed down on his hand and said with a sweet smile, "Let me correct you. That's not your model car. It's the one I bought. This kaleidoscope? A souvenir I paid for. This diamond-studded frame? Also mine."

She listed off the things effortlessly, then looked at Noah. Her tone turned soft, almost sounding amused. "All of these were things you both used to mock, calling my taste tacky. So, why can't I sell them at a charity sale?"

Noah stared at her like she was a stranger. Then, his eyes caught sight of a large empty frame on the side. His breath hitched. "This was for our wedding photo. Where is it?"

Justine followed his gaze, then blinked as if she was genuinely surprised. "Was it? I'm pretty sure it's always been empty."

"Justine, don't push it!" Noah snapped.

Hazel noticed Noah's attention was completely on Justine, and it irritated her. She coyly looped her arm through his on purpose and said sweetly, "Justine, don't get the wrong idea. Noah's just trying to keep the marriage from falling apart."

Justine almost admired her shamelessness. She didn't know how someone could play the mistress and still sound so righteous.

"A man who truly doesn’t want his marriage to fall apart wouldn't let another woman hold his arm right in front of his wife."

Her words landed hard. As if he had been stung, Noah instantly pulled his arm away from Hazel.

But Justine had already started packing up her things. She gave the two of them a cold, disdainful glance. "Thanks to you both, you've ruined all my business for today. Enjoy your little romantic stroll. I'll go find somewhere else to sell these."

Justine slung the heavy bag over her shoulder and walked away. Noah didn't chase after her, and she hadn't expected him to.

With Hazel clinging to his arm, Noah didn't spare a second glance at Justine. His attention was entirely consumed, leaving no room for anything beyond Hazel's presence.

By the time Justine sold off the last of her things, the sky had already gone dark. Every house on the block was alight with joy.

Justine didn't want to spend the evening wallowing in self-pity, so she headed to a bar she had always wanted to visit but never had. The decor was artsy, and the vibe was mellow.

She had mentioned it once to Noah, but he had sneered and said it wasn't the kind of place decent people went to.

The moment she stepped inside, she could feel the difference. Unlike most bars, it wasn't loud or chaotic. Soft music filled the space, the dim lighting enveloping the place in a cozy and calm vibe.

She chose a spot in the corner and had barely taken her seat when the host walked onto the small stage, tapping the mic to quiet the room.

"Tonight, on this special evening, we have a very special guest. Please welcome her with a warm round of applause!"

The crowd clapped enthusiastically. From behind the curtain, a familiar figure stepped out.

Hazel swept her gaze across the room with a soft, graceful smile. Her expression froze for a brief second when she spotted Justine, but she quickly recovered and flashed an even brighter smile as she took hold of the mic.

"Hi, everyone. I'm Hazel Gilbert. A year ago, I was the resident singer here… and this is where I met the love of my life again."

She turned her gaze toward Noah. The stage lights followed, landing directly on Noah.

One stood on stage while the other watched from the crowd. They stared at each other like a fated couple from a love story.

The audience whistled and cheered. The host even waved Noah up.

Gavin clapped and pushed his father toward the stage. For once, the man who always wore a poker face blushed.

Justine sat tucked away in the corner with her arms crossed, quietly watching the show unfold on and off stage. She was the one with the legal marriage certificate—yet at this moment, she felt more like a bystander witnessing someone else's love story.

"Thank you, Noah—for standing up for me that day. My heart has never changed," Hazel said softly, her voice trembling like she might cry.

Noah's expression turned tender. He reached out, gently wiping a tear from her cheek.

"Kiss! Kiss!" the crowd began chanting.

Hazel glanced triumphantly at Justine.

Her husband and son were standing in front of strangers, making no effort to deny another woman's affection. It was pathetic.

Justine dropped her eyes and downed the rest of her drink in one gulp.

As cheers and whistles echoed around her, she quietly stood up and slipped toward the exit.

Noah stared at Hazel but couldn't stop his thoughts from drifting to Justine's expression that morning—cold, distant, disgusted. It unsettled him more than he expected.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure slipping out through the bar's exit. He thought, "Justine? What the hell is she doing here? Didn't I tell her not to come to places like this?"

But before he could process the thought, he saw a man following her, looking way too suspicious. Noah didn't even think. He stepped off the stage and ran after her.

Hazel was still basking in the thrill of revenge and soaking up the spotlight. She was certain she had finally swayed Noah tonight. But he stayed silent, as if caught in hesitation.

Just as she was about to prompt him, Noah said nothing as he simply stepped off the stage and ran outside.

Hazel thought, "Is he chasing after Justine? Why? Things were going so perfectly."

Her heart surged with panic, and she ran after him without thinking.

The audience broke into hushed murmurs, confused by the sudden drama.

…

Outside, the night breeze was sharp and cold. Justine pulled her coat tighter around her as the alcohol started burning through her stomach. She wasn't much of a drinker. Her head was spinning, and she barely made it a few steps before the dizziness forced her to stop. She leaned against the wall, trying to steady herself.

A voice called out, unfamiliar and unsettling. "Hey, pretty lady. You out here all alone?"

Justine whipped around, instantly alert. She took a step back.

The man wore a cap low over his face. She couldn't see him clearly before he suddenly reached out, trying to grab her.

She fought back, but he was strong—far too strong.

"Justine!" It was Noah.

At that moment, Justine didn't care about the divorce or her pride. She screamed, "Noah! Help me!"

Startled, the assaulter, Alger Potter, froze and loosened his grip.

But just as Noah reached them, another voice called out behind him. There was a yelp and the sound of someone collapsing to the ground. Hazel clutched her ankle, tears streaming down her face. "Noah, my foot... I think it's twisted…"

"Dad! Ms. Gilbert's hurt! We have to take her to the hospital," Gavin shouted, panicked.

Alger suddenly tightened his grip on Justine, his gaze meeting Noah's with a streak of challenge. Anyone with common sense would know what to prioritize at that moment.

Justine stared at Noah, her eyes pleading.

Noah hesitated. But ultimately, he turned around. He picked Hazel up without hesitation and called out over his shoulder, "Don't be afraid. I'll call the police for you!"

Gavin shouted in angry protest, "She's just a freak, Dad! Why do you even care?"

Just like that, the three of them disappeared into the night.

Justine stood there, frozen in disbelief.