As soon as the words left Henley's mouth, her gaze fell on the date on the calendar.

The next day was Isaac's birthday.

Henley's heart softened, and she lowered her eyes as she spoke. "Do you have time tomorrow? It's Isaac's birthday. I want to hold a birthday party for him."

Kevin nodded quickly, clearly delighted. "That would be perfect. Isaac's been talking nonstop about wanting to invite lots of people to his birthday. As expected of a mother and her son, you two are on the same wavelength."

Henley nodded silently and struggled to stand up.

Kevin suddenly pulled out a jewelry box from his pocket with an affectionate expression.

Judging by the shape, it looked like a ring box.

He stared intently into Henley's eyes and said, "I noticed your wedding ring is gone. You must have lost it. Our wedding anniversary is coming up, so I bought a new pair of diamond rings. They are symbols of our eternal love."

His gaze was clear and sincere, and for a split second, Henley almost believed him again.

She narrowed her eyes and couldn't help asking, "Kevin, what is it about me that you actually like?"

Kevin barely hesitated before answering firmly, "We were each other's first loves, and we grew up together. Are you really still doubting my feelings for you?"

Every time she asked that question, he gave the same answer. Perhaps there was no love left between them anymore. They just happened to be a good match for forming a family.

Isaac's voice suddenly sounded from behind, startling them both. "Dad, how are we celebrating my birthday tomorrow?"

The moment he saw Henley, he shot her a look of disgust. "Will you be there tomorrow too? If you're busy, you don't have to come."

A small, bitter smile appeared on Henley's lips as she said softly, "I'll be there. It is your birthday, after all."

It would also be the last birthday she spent with Isaac.

On the day of his birthday, Henley decorated the house meticulously. Only when she was satisfied that it felt festive enough did she leave for the cake shop.

Every year, she made his birthday cake by hand. This year was no exception.

But this year was different. She planned to make a much bigger cake. She would make a giant cake that was the sum of what she would have made before he turned 18. This would be her farewell gift to Isaac.

A cake that big required a lot of work. It wasn't until dusk that she finally finished. Henley placed the cake in the car and drove home as fast as she could.

When she reached their apartment, she saw the scattered shoes in the entrance and heard the noisy chatter inside. Her heart sank to her stomach instantly.

Isaac's voice reached her ears. His callous words were like a blade slowly slicing into her.

He announced, "Serena is my real mom. Don't get it wrong in the future. From now on, I only have one mom."

Kevin was all smiles, and Serena held Isaac close in an intimate embrace.

They had started Isaac's birthday celebration without bothering to notify Henley. So, she turned around and threw the cake into the trash. Then, she sat gingerly in the car, feeling numb to everything that was going on.

Before long, she watched with her own eyes as Isaac's classmates left one by one.

Serena noticed her car and continued to provoke her deliberately. "Kevin, I really wish I could stay with you and Isaac forever."

Kevin pulled her into his arms and comforted her. "Soon. After we're done with this flight, I'll have a good talk with Henley."

Henley took a deep breath. She stared at the death-faking pill in her pocket.

Indeed, the end was nearing. She would be leaving very soon and wouldn't get in their way anymore.

Clutching the pill tightly, Henley hesitated for a moment before dialing her mother's number.

"Mom, help me retrieve my body in a couple of days," Henley said.

Olivia Roberts froze upon hearing this. Then, she silently listened as Henley explained everything.

When she was done, the air fell into a deathly stillness.

Finally, Olivia spoke up in an uncertain voice. "Have you really decided to let it all go? Isaac is still so young, after all."

Henley smiled faintly and replied calmly, "I should have let go long ago. Maybe they'll be happy when they hear the news of my death."

Knowing there was no arguing with her, Olivia ultimately chose to respect Henley's decision.

She set the date for her fake death to occur on their wedding anniversary. Kevin had said he would give her a surprise, so she should give him one in return.

On that day, Henley waited at home, wearing the evening dress Kevin had prepared for her. She had already taken the death-faking pill. She could feel the effects kicking in as her eyelids grew unbearably heavy.

Kevin had promised to spend the entire day with her, but one hurried phone call threw him into a panic.

He said in a conflicted voice, "Henley, Serena was in a car accident and is in the hospital. She's all alone. As her colleague and friend, I have to go check on her."

Henley didn't speak.

Kevin continued explaining on his own, "I'll be back very soon. It won't affect our plans today. Trust me."

The tremor in his voice was unmistakable.

Henley looked up and asked softly, "If I say no, would you stay with me? Kevin, can't you choose me just once?"

The look of resolve on her face caused an inexplicable surge of panic in him. Just as his heart went out to her for once, another message from Serena came in. The shocking image of her injury helped him make his final decision.

Henley received a message as well. It was a peace-sign emoji sent by Serena.

She smiled bitterly, knowing that this was another one of Serena's tricks. It was nothing more than proof that she was the one Kevin held closest to his heart.

Henley let out a deep sigh and said with disappointment, "Go ahead. We'll celebrate when you get back."

But what she meant was celebrate their farewell.

Kevin's steps were heavy, yet he still left in a hurry.

The moment the door closed, Henley spat out a mouthful of blood. While she still had strength, she swiftly made arrangements for everything.

She sent a message to Edith. "The onset of the pill is too painful. It needs further refinement."

Edith had just replied when Henley slowly closed her eyes.

When she opened them again, she would be welcoming a new day. By then, she would be a reborn Henley.

Meanwhile, Kevin rushed to the hospital and finally saw Serena. She stood there unharmed with tears brimming in her eyes.

She whimpered, "You're finally here. I was so scared. The doctor said… I'm pregnant."

Kevin froze upon hearing that shocking news. He didn't think that this was the right time to have a child with Serena.

Just as he was about to speak, Olivia's call came in. "Kevin, where are you?"

A deep sense of unease rose within him as he answered in a low voice, "A colleague of mine was in a car accident. I came to see her."

Olivia immediately broke down and started wailing in rage. "Henley died at home, and you still have the heart to visit a colleague?"

The instant Kevin heard those words, a shrill buzz filled his mind and drowned out everything else.