When Lily arrived, I was sitting on a bench in the park.

"Are you okay?" she asked with concern.

I shook my head, but my swollen, red eyes said it all. I looked up at Lily and the man standing next to her.

"What are you doing here?" I asked without thinking.

Hayden Ortiz looked at me with concern. Upon hearing my question, his expression turned awkward.

Immediately, he asked in return, "What, I'm not even allowed to tag along now?"

Lily quickly stepped in to smooth things over. "Hayden just got back to the country recently. He heard about Scott's illness and asked me if he could help. By the way, what did you mean when you said Scott isn't sick?"

I calmly told them everything I had learned.

Lily cursed angrily, "Theodore and Scott are real pieces of work! Like father, like son indeed!"

She then turned around angrily as if she were going to settle the score with them.

I reached out to grab her hand and stop her. "Forget it, Lily."

Lily's eyes were red with unshed tears. "Are you going to just let them get away with this?"

I shook my head. "If they want to be a family so badly, I'll grant their wish."

Lily and Hayden took turns comforting me. After I had a better hold of my emotions, I asked them to take me home.

I didn't return out of sentiment, but only because I didn't want to leave any of my things behind.

After I finished packing, Theodore called.

When I answered, he said, "The wedding venue is set up pretty well. You should come take a look."

"I don't want to go," I said bluntly.

Upon hearing my refusal, he paused for a moment before saying, "If you don't come, Scott will overthink it again. He's just starting to feel better and returning to his energetic self."

I didn't argue and simply said, "I already agreed to Scott's request. Ivanna is his mother now. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to go for now."

Theodore hesitated and asked, "You're not mad, are you?"

I smiled and replied, "How could I be? I'm willing to do anything for Scott. Tell him not to worry and just follow through with what he wants."

Theodore was clearly moved after hearing that from me. "Janice, having a reasonable wife like you is truly a blessing."

After exchanging a few more words, I hung up and called a courier. I mailed part of my belongings to Lily's place and threw the rest straight into the trash.

Once everything was sorted, I turned and saw the family portrait and the photo albums placed in a prominent spot at home.

Without hesitation, I found an open space and burned them all.

After the albums had been burned to ashes, I lay on the bed. All the strength had been drained from my body.

Images flashed before my eyes. I saw in my mind's eye Theodore confessing his love to me. Then, the scene morphed to Scott begging me to get a divorce. It twisted and distorted until I saw the three of them laughing together in the hospital room once more.

With those chaotic thoughts swirling in my mind, I drifted off to sleep.

I was awakened by Theodore.

"How careless of you to fall asleep without even covering up. You'll catch a cold, you know?" he muttered.

I looked up and saw that he was tucking the blanket around me.

I stared at him intently, trying to see past his gentle and affectionate act into his heart.

Upon noticing my gaze, he asked, "Are you feeling unwell?"

I shook my head. "How's the wedding setup coming along?"

"It's almost done. As long as there's enough money, no matter how tight the schedule is, they'll finish it for you," Theodore replied.

After he answered me, he paused for a moment and gently tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

He said, "These past few days have been really hard on you. Once everything is over, I'll make it up to you properly."

Maybe his voice was just too gentle, but it somehow brought tears to my eyes.

Theodore patted my hand tenderly. "There, there. Don't cry."

I sniffled in response.

After a few more comforting words, he prepared to leave.

He mumbled, "There are still a few wedding procedures that I need to rehearse..."

"Theodore."

He turned and asked, "What is it?"

I clenched the bedsheet tightly and asked in a trembling voice, "Are you and Scott hiding something from me?"

A flash of guilt passed through Theodore's eyes. He carefully considered his words before speaking up.

Theodore said, "Maybe you've just been too tired lately? You're starting to imagine things. I took the day off for you. Just rest well today."

My hands, which were clenched tightly moments ago, suddenly relaxed.

I let out a deep breath and said, "Thank you, Theodore."

I thanked him wordlessly for choosing to keep lying to me when I started to go soft. He had effectively strengthened my resolve to leave.

Theodore thought I was thanking him for taking the day off for me. So, he smiled without saying anything and gently closed the door.

I called Lily and said, "Help me find a reliable lawyer. I need one who specializes in divorce cases."

Of course, Lily wasn't the least bit surprised. "Got it. Once I find someone, let's meet and talk."

A few days later, she met me at a cafe.

The lawyer she recommended was professional and dependable. After understanding my situation, he quickly offered practical and effective advice. After we finalized the details, he left and returned to his firm to draft the divorce agreement.

…

Soon, it was the day of Theodore and Ivanna's wedding.

The guests attending the event didn't know the full story. They all thought Theodore was simply remarrying and couldn't help but speculate what had happened.

"Theodore and Janice were doing just fine. Why is he suddenly marrying someone else?"

"I'm not sure. But judging from how his son acts, he seems to really like this new stepmom."

"Ivanna waited for Theodore for so many years. She's finally getting what she always wanted."

On the stage, Ivanna slowly walked toward Theodore in an elaborate wedding gown.

I saw tears well up in Theodore's eyes. Beside them, Scott was holding Ivanna's train with eyes full of emotion.

Theodore gently lifted Ivanna's veil and said in a choked voice, "Iva, I think you look especially beautiful today. I never thought this moment would ever be real."

Ivanna's eyes reddened. "Theo, no matter how long I waited for you, I never once regretted it."

Scott brought them the rings.

The officiant announced, "Would the bride and groom please exchange rings?"

They proceeded to slide the rings onto each other's ring fingers. Next, Theodore embraced Ivanna and kissed her.

I watched coldly from the audience as these so-called soulmates were finally united.

The pain I'd imagined never came. Maybe I had already cried my tears dry during the worst of it.

Next to me, Lily was fuming. "What a shameless couple! And that ungrateful brat of a son who sided with an outsider..."

I patted her on the back. "Don't get angry. People like them aren't worth it."

Hayden gave a cold snort. "You cried like crazy before, and now you're suddenly all magnanimous?"

Lily glared at him. "I brought you here to support Janice, not to mock her."

Hayden shrugged. "I just can't stand the sight of it."

The show on stage continued. After their kiss, Ivanna blushed.

With tears streaming down her face, she said, "Even if it's fake, I'm happy. Theo, I wish this moment could last forever. But it can't. These past few days were like a dream. But today is the last day. After this, I'll give you back to Janice."

With that, she couldn't help but sob mournfully.

Theodore held her in his arms with a heartbroken expression.

Scott choked up as he stepped forward. "Ivanna, even though we're not related by blood, in my heart you're my real mom. No one else can compare."

And then the three of them huddled together, crying their hearts out.

After her tears subsided, Ivanna looked out into the audience at me.

She said, "Janice, I'm giving Theodore back to you now. Please promise me you'll take good care of him. He has stomach problems, so he needs to take his medicine on time. He's lactose intolerant. He can't eat any desserts with dairy..."

I cut her off. "That sounds like too much trouble for me. It's better if you keep taking care of him."

Theodore's face fell dramatically when he heard that. "Janice, what do you mean by that?"