...

The next morning, Kimberly rose early.

She and Daniel always slept in separate rooms, partly because he hadn't fully accepted her into his life and partly due to his germaphobia, which barred others from his space.

After washing up, she drove to her friend's law firm and shared her situation.

Hannah Mitchell gasped, "So, all your kindness to Daniel was just for the contract?"

Kimberly nodded.

Hannah exhaled, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "I kept seeing news stories about you and Daniel, and I felt bad for you. Knowing it's a contract eases my mind a bit."

She paused, her gaze searching Kimberly's face. "So, what brings you here today? Need a divorce agreement?"

Kimberly gave a bitter smile. "Daniel and I never got a marriage license. I'm here for a custody waiver for Henry."

Hannah was shocked. "What? Everyone knows you'd die for Henry. You're giving up his custody?"

The rims of Kimberly's eyes reddened, but when she looked up, her voice was steady and resolute. "Just draft it."

Hannah, seeing her resolve, prepared the document quickly and handed it over. Kimberly gripped it tightly and stood to leave.

Hannah, sensing her sadness, called out, "Kimberly, you spent five years trying to warm his heart. From now on, keep that goodness for yourself."

Kimberly turned back and managed a small smile. "I will."

...

It was ten in the morning when she returned home.

The living room was empty, and the breakfast she had made sat untouched on the table. It was already cold.

She reheated the burgers and went upstairs to wake Henry and Daniel, as was her routine. Daniel's rule was to knock first, given his dislike of uninvited entry into his personal space.

She tapped once, and the door opened, revealing Siena in a bathrobe.

Siena stretched lazily, unfazed to see Kimberly standing outside. She muttered, "I just borrowed Daniel's bathroom. Ugh, my back is killing me."

Kimberly's stomach twisted with a mix of anger and betrayal.

Before Siena could provoke her further, Daniel emerged from the bedroom in pajamas. He yawned, "Siena, who is at the door? Henry?"

Kimberly looked inside and saw faint red marks on his neck, a telltale sign of intimacy.

A bitter laugh escaped her lips. In five years of marriage, they had barely touched each other. She had assumed he lacked interest in physical intimacy, but clearly, it was just that he didn't want her.

Daniel fidgeted, quickly tugging his collar up to hide the marks. He stammered, "Siena just needed my charger. Don't read into it."

Kimberly scoffed at their lies. They hadn't even aligned their excuses, their deception as transparent as glass.

But instead of calling it out, she simply said that breakfast was ready and headed downstairs alone.

This marriage was a contract, a business arrangement that had long since lost its purpose. Daniel's closeness to others wasn't her concern, not anymore.

Now she only needed to wait it out until she could leave this life behind.

Five minutes later, the three people descended. The tension in the air was thick and heavy.

Henry frowned at the burgers on the table, his nose wrinkling slightly. "Reheated burgers aren't fresh, Mom. I want doughnuts."

Daniel coaxed him, "Your mom already made these, Henry. Let's not waste them. You can have doughnuts tomorrow, okay?"

"No! I want them now!" Henry refused, his voice rising in a tantrum.

Never patient with Henry's outbursts, Daniel started to scold him. But Siena interrupted, her tone sweet and conciliatory. "Kimberly, I hear your doughnuts are amazing. I'd love to try them."

Her eyes flickered with a mix of triumph and challenge.

Daniel's stance shifted instantly, his tone softening as he turned to Kimberly. "Since everyone's craving them, go make some doughnuts."

"I can't." Kimberly focused on her burger, never looking up. "Go ahead and make your doughnuts if you want them so badly. I got up early to make these burgers. Toss them if you don't want them."

...

Daniel froze, unaccustomed to Kimberly's refusal.

She had always bent over backward to accommodate even his most unreasonable requests. But now, her defiance hung in the air, a palpable shift that left him at a loss.

Siena sighed affectedly, "My bad. I'm already a hassle staying here, and now I'm asking for fresh food."

She stood to leave.

Henry clenched his fists and cried out, "You're a bad mom! You can't bully Siena!"

He lunged at Kimberly, his hands striking her arms in a childish tantrum.

Daniel stopped Siena, turning to Kimberly. His eyes flashed with irritation. "You're still mad about this morning? She borrowed my charger, as I told you. Why are you making a big deal out of it?"

Kimberly remained unfazed. "I'm not feeling well. I don't have the energy to cook."

"You're sick?" Henry paused, his anger momentarily forgotten.

Then he covered his mouth with his hands and complained, "Why didn't you say so earlier? What if you get Siena sick? Her health is poor."

He tugged Daniel's sleeve. "Dad, we gotta get Siena some medicine to be safe."

"No need, Henry. I'm okay," Siena chimed in, her tone sweet and reassuring.

But Daniel felt uncertain. He insisted, "Listen to Henry. Don't push yourself. You never get over colds in less than two weeks."

With that, the three held hands and left Kimberly alone with the cold burgers.

It was ironic to no end. They had been living together for five years, yet neither Daniel nor Henry cared about her well-being.

Instead, they rushed to get medicine for someone who was perfectly healthy.

Her appetite gone, Kimberly dumped the burgers and stared into space.

Shortly after, Daniel texted her: [We're at the supermarket. Drive over and pick us up.]

When Kimberly arrived at the place, only Siena and Henry were there standing in front of the ice cream freezer.

"I want ice cream," Henry whined.

Siena pinched his cheek, soft and indulgent. "Anything you like."

Kimberly's brows furrowed, her concern for Henry's health overriding her frustration. She stepped in, saying, "Henry, did you forget what the doctor said? Your stomach can't handle ice cream."

The grin on Henry's face faded instantly, replaced by disappointment and resentment.

Siena waved it off. "Take it easy. It's not a big problem. Let him have it."

"This is my family's business," Kimberly retorted sharply. "You don't need to butt in."

Daniel returned, confused by the standoff.

Siena sobbed, "I just wanted to get Henry ice cream, but Kimberly said no."

Kimberly explained, "The doctor just told us that other snacks are fine, but ice cream waits until he is better."

Daniel, hating to see Siena upset, glared at Kimberly. "The more you do this, the more he'll resent you. Can't you let him have a bite and finish the rest? Siena is just being nice. Why make it a thing?"

Kimberly's heart sank.

To her surprise, Daniel would disregard Henry's health to defend Siena and even mock what mattered to her.

She gave a bitter smile and stopped arguing, realizing that since Siena's return, she'd become the true outsider. No matter her efforts, she could never compare to Siena in their minds.

...

Siena's face glowed with triumph.

Henry shouted, "Dad and Siena are the best! My mom is terrible! Won't even let me have ice cream!"

His words drew stares from passers-by, and they pointed at Kimberly.

Kimberly felt a pang of disappointment. All her care for him over the years was for nothing.

Daniel just watched, making no moves to stop Henry. Siena, playing the nice person, hushed Henry and ended the scene.

Outside the supermarket, they proposed eating out and gave Kimberly no chance to object.

Daniel ordered a hearty meal, but the dishes were all spicy except for Henry's kid's meal. No one asked Kimberly's preference; they just submitted the order.

"After all these years, you still remember my favorite dishes?" Siena marveled, touching his hand playfully.

Daniel blushed up to his ears.

When the food arrived, he kept serving Siena, while Kimberly sat silently, barely eating anything.

Noticing her lack of enthusiasm, Daniel asked, "Why aren't you eating?"

"I can't handle spice," she replied flatly.

Daniel paused, surprised.

Kimberly often cooked spicy meals, so he had assumed she enjoyed them too, never noticing her true taste.

Guilt stirred in him, and he grabbed the menu. "I'll order you something else. What would you like?"

"No need. You guys enjoy your meal," she refused.

Before he could insist, a passerby spotted Siena. "Ms. Siena Gallegos... and Mr. Daniel Carter?"

Siena nodded slightly.

The fan gushed, "I'm a huge fan of you two! That news story was so sweet, like a rom-com. Are you back together?"

Daniel glanced at Kimberly, then met Siena's hopeful eyes.

He nodded and hummed.

The fan cheered. "Five years apart, you're back together! That's true love!"

Siena smiled, "I failed him before, but I will cherish him from now on."

Daniel gazed at her, happiness brimming in his eyes.

After the fan left, Henry beamed, "Dad, you and Siena are together? Does that mean I have a new mom?"

Daniel quickly covered Henry's mouth, signaling him to stop.

Looking up at Kimberly, he stammered, "It's just a kid's talk. Don't take it to heart."

Getting no reaction from her, he added, "And I said that for Siena's career."

Kimberly remained expressionless. "I get it. No need to explain."

Daniel felt uneasy at her calm tone, but Siena grabbed his arm and urged, "Eat up. The food is getting cold."

His face softened as he lost himself in her charm and forgot about Kimberly.

After dinner, they crossed the street to the parking lot, when suddenly a car sped from an intersection.

Daniel reacted fast, pulling Siena and Henry to safety. Kimberly was left alone on the road.

In the next instant, the car braked sharply, and Kimberly collapsed.

Daniel panicked, letting go of Siena and rushing to her. Kimberly curled up, convulsing. Sweat beaded on her forehead.

His voice quaked. "Kimberly! Are you okay? I'm taking you to the hospital."

Kimberly tried to speak, but pain silenced her. She reached for his hand to ease his worry, but Henry cried out, "Dad, Siena is gonna faint! Help her!"