...

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!"

...

Daniel turned, his worry for Siena intensifying with every passing second.

"I'm fine," she muttered weakly. "Just a dizzy spell from seeing blood. Don't worry about me. Kimberly needs you more."

"But your face is bloodless," Henry shouted. "Dad, hurry! Let's get her to the hospital. The car stopped in time. Mom's just acting to get your attention."

Daniel's gaze shifted to Kimberly, doubt creeping into his mind like a shadow. He was torn until Siena groaned softly.

Losing reason, he rushed to her side, helped her up, and headed to the car. Passing Kimberly, he covered Siena's eyes and looked away.

His conscience gnawed at his heart with every step he took. He stammered, "Siena has always been frail. I can't risk her health. I called 911. Help is coming. Hang on."

Their footsteps faded into the distance, leaving Kimberly alone and abandoned on the cold, hard ground.

She tried to laugh at the irony of the situation, but blood trickled from her lips.

When the stretcher arrived, her vision blurred. The medics muttered incredulously, "What kind of people call an ambulance and leave the injured alone?"

Kimberly woke up in a hospital bed.

A doctor came to check on her. "Car accident? You've got scrapes and a mild concussion."

Kimberly nodded.

The driver had braked in time, but the impact still lingered in her body and mind.

She asked, "How soon can I leave?"

"Don't think about leaving for now. With a concussion, you need at least four days of rest and observation," said the doctor seriously.

Kimberly counted the days left before the contract ended. By the time she was discharged, there would be only one day left.

She exhaled, feeling freedom closer.

Nurses gossiped nearby. "Hey, did you hear? Siena Gallegos is in our hospital. Her rumored boyfriend is here too."

"Really?"

"No joke. Mr. Carter was frantic, carrying her to the VIP ward."

"He got a top specialist for her checkup."

Kimberly gave a bitter laugh and hobbled to the VIP ward, leaning on the wall.

Through a door crack, Siena was seen lying on the bed. Henry clutched her hand, and Daniel fed her soup, his eyes tender in a way Kimberly had never known.

They looked like a sweet couple, while Kimberly, outside, felt like an intruder in their joy.

A nurse came to check on Siena, mistaking Kimberly for a fan. She muttered, "You think they're sweet, huh? Mr. Carter was so worried, like he wished he'd fainted instead. With concern like that? The news must be true."

Kimberly croaked, "Yeah, they are sweet."

She returned to her ward where her phone stayed silent. There wasn't even a text from Daniel or Henry asking about her situation.

Their care for Siena was a stark contrast to their indifference toward her.

Only an urgent email from a foreign publisher awaited her. A contest loomed on the horizon, and she needed to submit her work soon.

Losing no time, she had Hannah bring her laptop, and in her quiet private room, she turned off her phone, set the laptop offline to focus, and started typing away.

For five years, she had fully devoted herself to Daniel. Rarely writing, she had forgotten the feel of the keys beneath her fingers. But now, it all came back to her, familiar and comforting like an old friend.

She immersed herself in her writing and lost track of time.

Till a nurse came with the notice that she could leave, she finally realized that four days had passed.

Luckily, her essay was complete.

After sending it off, she turned on her phone and saw 99+ missed calls and texts from Daniel.