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.

Justine thought, "Would a human really make such a choice?"

Noah always found a way to outdo himself. Just when she thought he couldn't sink lower, he did.

"Looks like you no longer have backup," Alger said smugly, his eyes gleaming with triumph.

Justine pulled a key from her coat pocket and shoved it straight into his eye.

Alger screamed, throwing a punch at her. They scuffled violently.

Justine took several brutal blows, but she spotted her opening and landed a sharp kick to his private part. As he crumpled to the ground, howling in pain, she snatched his phone and called the police.

The officers quickly arrived and took in the scene.

Still unwilling to give up hope, Justine asked, "Excuse me, was there a report made earlier from this area?"

One of the officers replied casually, "No, nothing came through."

So, Noah hadn't even bothered to call for help.

After giving her statement at the station, she made her way to the hospital. The doctor patched her up while marveling at her ability to endure such heavy injuries.

Justine gave a small, indifferent smile and didn't say a word. Compared to the emotional blows she had taken recently, this physical pain felt like nothing.

By the time everything was done, it was nearly 3:00 am. She dragged her aching body home. The house was silent, cold, and empty. Collapsing onto the couch, she stared at the ceiling, utterly drained. Her mind went blank.

She had no idea how much time had passed before she heard the door unlock.

The lights suddenly blazed on. She squinted and lifted her hand to shield her eyes. Through the slits between her fingers, she saw Noah and Gavin walking in.

"I knew you pulled the whole sympathy act to get Dad's attention," Gavin sneered, his voice sharp and full of disdain.

Justine didn't have the energy to scold or correct him. She closed her eyes and ignored them, her voice flat and distant. "Whatever you need, just take it and leave. I just want some peace and a moment to breathe."

Noah looked at her. She was bruised all over, her cheek was swollen, her fingernails were cracked and broken—yet she didn't say a word. The only thing left in her eyes was exhaustion. It was like she didn't even have the strength to complain anymore.

He was supposed to protect her.

Meanwhile, Gavin was standing beside her, completely unfazed. He didn't even show a flicker of concern for his mother.

A chill spread through Noah's chest as he realized how cold his child had become.

When there was still no response, Justine slowly opened her eyes and looked at him. Her voice was detached, almost mechanical. "What? Do you want an apology? For ruining your date? Fine. I'm sorry."

She just wanted him to leave. She was too tired to fight anymore.

Noah barely glanced at Gavin and said, "Go to your room."

Then, he walked out the door. Justine didn't care where he was going. She didn't even bother wondering.

Half an hour later, the front door opened again. Noah came back in carrying a plastic bag filled with medications. He crouched beside her and pulled out antiseptic and cotton swabs.

The quiet rustling of plastic stirred Justine from her sleep. "What are you doing? I've already taken care of it. What's the point of pretending now?"

Noah's expression twisted in irritation. "I'm trying to help, and you're snapping at me? Justine, are you the kind of woman who only responds when someone treats you like crap?"

She let out a cold laugh. "So, you do know how badly you treat me."

Noah fell silent, no longer interested in pretending to be the good guy. He tossed the cotton swabs and antiseptic onto the table and stood, towering over her. "I told you not to go to places like that, but you didn't listen. You brought this on yourself."

She brought this on herself? Of course, Noah would say that. He had a talent for finding the one part of her that hadn't completely fallen apart, just to tear it open himself.

Justine didn't even have the strength to argue anymore. Her voice was flat when she asked, "And where did you run into Hazel again, then?"

If she had heard it correctly, Hazel had said it herself that they met at the bar.

Justine didn't wait for his response. She pulled the blanket over her head and shut everything out. She was drained. She didn't want to deal with any of it.

Two more weeks—that was all that was left. Yet even staying one more hour in this house felt impossible.

She vaguely heard Noah's phone buzz a few times, but he didn't answer.

A moment later, Gavin's door creaked open. He walked out with his phone in hand, shouting without the slightest attempt at subtlety, "Ms. Gilbert is calling you."

Another 30 minutes passed before Noah and Gavin both headed out. When they left, dawn had already broken.

Justine didn't fall asleep until then. When she finally woke up again, darkness had returned to the skies.

She sat up, her body sore from head to toe.

After so many days, Noah hadn't even bothered to check if her phone was working. If he had tried calling, he would have realized she was completely unreachable.

Justine dragged herself off the couch and headed downstairs to buy something to eat. But just as she turned the corner, she saw Noah and Hazel standing close, whispering sweet nothings.

At the same time, a shadow darted past her. Before she could react, a searing pain tore through her abdomen. She looked down and saw blood blooming across her shirt. Stunned, she looked up.

Hazel's scream pierced the air as she threw herself into Noah's arms. "Noah, I'm so scared!"

The attacker, startled by the scream, panicked. In a frenzy, he stabbed her again before bolting.

Justine slowly collapsed to the ground, her vision blurring as she watched Noah in the distance—still clinging to Hazel and holding her tightly.

When Justine woke up in the hospital, it was already early the next morning.

The doctor frowned as he explained her condition, "Your previous wounds hadn't even started to heal, and now, you've taken two more stabs. If a bystander hadn't gotten you here in time, you would've bled out before making it.

"You shouldn't be going through something like this alone. You should let your family take care of you."

She was stunned to learn it was a bystander who had taken her to the hospital.

She blinked. Noah had been right across from her that night. And yet, he had done nothing. She wondered what he had been doing while she bled out.

Justine's thoughts flashed back to that night outside the bar.

She gave a bitter smile and shook her head at the doctor. "I don't have any family."

"I honestly don't know how you still have the nerve to cling to Noah." Hazel's voice cut through the silence.

Hazel was suddenly here, leaning against the doorway with her arms crossed and a smug smile tugging at her lips. She looked perfectly unharmed as she stepped gracefully into the ward and said, "Yesterday, I only pretended to faint, and Noah didn't even hesitate—he brought me straight to the hospital.

"He didn't even glance back at you. If I were you, I would've divorced him a long time ago. So, this is how you've managed to cling to him all these years? You're really shameless. And look at you—still breathing. I really underestimated how stubborn you are."

Every word was laced with ridicule and contempt. She expected Justine to lash out, to break. But she didn't.

There was nothing left in her—no rage, no grief, no fight.

Justine met Hazel's provocation with nothing more than a cool, flat remark. "If you're feeling faint, get more rest. And if you're going to fake it, at least make it believable. It'd be a shame if he sees through you one day and that dream life of yours comes crashing down."

"You!"

Before Hazel could finish, footsteps sounded outside the door.

Hazel rushed to the bedside and suddenly threw herself to the floor, crying out dramatically, "Justine, I only came to check on you! You didn't have to shove me. What did I ever do to deserve this?"

Noah and Gavin had just reached the doorway when they heard Hazel's words.

Without a second of hesitation, Noah stormed inside and gently scooped Hazel into his arms. His gaze turned sharp as it landed on Justine. "What the hell are you doing? You made enemies out there, and now, you're blaming Hazel for it?"

Gavin sprinted in behind him. Without a second thought, he swung his fist straight at Justine's stomach. "Bad person!"

It landed right where Justine had been stabbed. Pain radiated through her stomach as fresh blood seeped through the hospital blanket. Trembling, Justine reached out and hit the nurse call button.

Noah froze, stunned by what had just happened. Regret flickered across his face—briefly but genuinely.

Madge rushed in and immediately began redressing the wound. After hearing what happened, she turned to Noah, struggling to contain her anger.

"You're his father. Don't you think it's your job to teach him better? He punched her right in a fresh wound. If she had bled out, could you have lived with that?"

Noah opened his mouth but said nothing.

Beside him, Hazel jumped in with a soothing smile, trying to diffuse the tension. "He's just a child. He doesn't know any better."

Gavin immediately shrank behind her as if she were his only refuge.

Madge narrowed her eyes, suddenly recognizing Hazel. "You're the mistress, aren't you? The one who requested to undergo every test, only to have the results turn up completely fine? If you're going to fake fainting, at least try to be convincing. Stop treating everyone like idiots."

It wasn't her place to say that, but she couldn't stand it any longer.

Hazel's face went pale with panic. Even Noah turned to her, suspicion flickering in his eyes.

In a moment of desperation, Hazel blurted, "Justine, even if you hate me, you shouldn't be encouraging the staff to spread lies about me, should you?"

She sniffled, playing the victim to perfection.

Noah didn't hesitate. He immediately stepped to Hazel's side, his eyes cold as he turned to Justine. "I'm beyond disappointed in you. Apologize to Hazel."

Justine had nearly bled out from two stab wounds. She was the one who had teetered on the edge of death because her husband hadn't taken her to the hospital in time. Yet somehow, she was now expected to apologize to the woman who hadn't suffered a scratch and had lied through her teeth.

It was laughable.

She pressed her lips together and shut her eyes, her silence a clear refusal.

Noah's voice was sharp. "If you won't apologize, don't expect me to visit you again."

He turned on his heel and walked out.

And he meant it. For almost two weeks, Noah didn't show his face even once.

Instead, Hazel messaged Justine every single day, sending photo after photo of their "perfect family" living in bliss.

Justine didn't bother opening them. She simply saved everything into a folder.

On the day the divorce agreement officially took effect, Justine signed herself out of the hospital against medical advice. She went home, packed up the last of her belongings, and booked a one-way ticket.

Before leaving, she zipped all those messages and photos into a compressed folder and scheduled it to be sent by email. Then, she placed the finalized divorce papers right on the center of the coffee table.

She said goodbye to the house that had suffocated her.

She said goodbye to the man and the boy who had drained her dry.

She said goodbye—and meant it. There would be no looking back.