Bang!

The trophy in Sharon's hands fell onto the ground and shattered.

James was only five years old, but he really liked playing the piano. He especially liked Tom Jackson.

Tom had a weird temper and never took in any students.

Sharon used all kinds of methods to become good friends with Tom's wife. She would bring gifts and snacks, and accompany Mrs. Jackson shopping and for beauty treatments as well.

It took Sharon two years before Tom finally agreed to take in one student.

During her previous life, Sharon refused to agree to the divorce and Riley was said to be a mistress for quite a while.

Sean then stole James' spot for Jordan to become Mr. Tom's student. He said that it was to make up for Riley.

But during this lifetime, Sharon had already agreed to the divorce.

Why did Jordan replace James again?

Sharon's heart ached like mad.

She squatted down and wiped the tears away from James's face. She then picked up her phone and called Sean.

She rang five times, but no one answered.

At that moment, Riley updated her Twitter.

"Congratulations on my daughter, for becoming Mr. Tom Jackson's only student! Someone has finally recognized your talent and hard work! I'm so happy!"

The text was accompanied by a picture of Jordan with Tom.

The comments section was full of compliments.

"Jordan is amazing! She's as excellent as her beautiful mom!"

"Tom Jackson has never taken in any students. Is this girl extremely talented or something?"

"I'm so jealous! Only Riley can have such an exceptional daughter!"

There was a contrast between Jordan and James. In the picture, Jordan was smiling happily and in front of Sharon, James was crying his eyes out.

Sharon was infuriated and immediately headed over with James.

However, as soon as she arrived outside Tom's house, Sean stopped her.

He looked at Sharon and James with a frown. "I knew you would come and cause trouble."

James was extremely upset. "I'm not here to cause trouble. I was supposed to be Mr. Jackson's student."

Sean squatted down and rubbed James's head. "But Jordan likes Mr. Jackson. Can't you let her be his student?"

"No! I like Mr. Jackson as well!"

As soon as James finished speaking, Sean's face changed.

He stood up and looked down on James.

"That's enough. You're older than Jordan, so you should let Jordan go first. It's only a chance of being Mr. Jackson's student, what's there to fight about? Has your mom taught you to be so petty?"

James didn't understand why he was told off after his dad allowed Jordan to replace him by becoming Tom's student.

He just stood there feeling confused as tears trickled down his cheeks.

At the sight of this, Sharon's heart ached even more.

But no matter what she did in her previous life, she still wasn't able to let James become Tom's student.

This time, no matter how angry she was, she forced herself to remain calm.

"Sean, I've put in a lot of effort during the past two years to let James become Tom's student. Please, I beg of you. Can you not replace James?"

This was the first time that she begged Sean over the past years.

Sean's heart softened. "But I've already promised Jordan. Don't worry. I won't let James lose out. I've prepared James's favorite Lego set for him!"

That was when Sharon realized that no matter what she did, Sean would always have an excuse to give Riley and Jordan things that used to belong to her and James.

When one became completely disappointed, they would be at a loss for words.

Sharon walked around Sean and wanted to go into Tom's house.

She was the one who Mrs. Jackson knew. As long as she explained things to Mrs. Jackson, James could still be Tom's student.

However, Sharon only took two steps before Sean picked her up and placed her in the car.

"Let go of me, Sean! You can't do this to me and James!" cried Sharon.

"You can do whatever you want to me and ask for anything as compensation, but it's Jordan's big day today. I can't let you ruin it."

Sean did feel guilty towards Sharon and James, but there was nothing he could do. Being Tom's student was also very important to Jordan.

He didn't accept Riley's confession and married Sharon all those years back, so he needed to use other methods to make up for Riley. He couldn't let her suffer any more grievances.

Sharon couldn't break free at all. When Sean finally let go, the ceremony of Tom recognizing Jordan as his student was over.

Sharon rushed out of the car, found Mrs. Jackson, and explained the situation to her.

But Mrs. Jackson said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Sharon. The ceremony is over. Now, everyone knows that Jordan Winston is my husband's student. If he makes a change now, it'll be an embarrassment."

There was nothing Sharon could do.

Even Mrs. Jackson couldn't convince Tom to take in another student.

Mrs. Jackson went back after saying those words.

Riley held Jordan's hand and walked up to Sharon, who looked down.

"Thank you so much, Sharon. You're the reason that Jordan can have such a great mentor. I will no longer hold you responsible for having people spread rumors on the Internet saying that I'm a mistress!"

Sean stood beside her and said in a gentle voice, "Thank you. I'll be even happier if Sharon can be as kind as you."

Hearing those words, Sharon felt her heart ache due to the anger.

"But I wasn't the one who hired these people, Sean!" she said.

"Riley has provided all the evidence and you still refused to admit it. I'm really disappointed in you. No wonder James has become like this now, a boy who's full of lies."

Sean looked at Sharon with a disappointed look in his eyes and left with Riley and Jordan.

Sharon could still hear their conversation from a distance.

"Sean, I'm not holding her responsible anymore, so please don't criticize Sharon. I don't want you to have arguments because of me."

"Riley, there's nothing wrong with being kind. But you can't be too kind, or people will take advantage of you."

Sharon had been falsely accused by them more than once.

Sean was biased toward Riley, so the one who was always in the wrong was her.

Every time she wanted a divorce, he would look at her with disappointment.

"You grew up in a single-parent family yourself, so you know how much suffering that brings. Do you really want James to repeat your life? Are you really that selfish?"

After hearing those words, Sharon would always give in.

But the moment James died in her past life, she regretted it.

She should have taken her child and left long ago!

Thankfully, in just one more month, she could get her divorce certificate and would never have anything to do with Sean again!

Sharon, lost in despair, took James home.

On the way home, James's own eyes were still swollen, yet he was the one comforting Sharon instead.

"Mommy, I won't learn piano anymore, and I don't want Mr. Jackson either. Please don't cry."

Sharon felt sorrowful and guilty. She suppressed her emotions and wiped his tears. "Mommy's not crying."

"But your eyes are telling me that you're very sad."

Hearing this, Sharon couldn't hold back her tears. "I'm sorry, James. It's all because of my uselessness!"

It was all her fault. That was why she couldn't protect anything.

She had even caused her son to suffer with her.

James patted her gently with his small hands. "It's okay. No matter what, you're still the mommy I love the most."

Sharon held him and cried for a while. Then, the mother and son wiped away their tears and returned home.

Sean, Riley, and Jordan had already arrived and were moving things.

"Sharon, Sean has already proposed to me in front of everyone. Of course, I have to move in with him. You understand that, right?"

As soon as Riley saw Sharon, she couldn't wait to provoke her.

Sharon glanced at Sean's warning look from not far away, then lowered her eyes. "You can live wherever you want. It has nothing to do with me."

After all, she was about to get divorced.

But Riley wasn't satisfied with her reaction. "Sharon, are you mad at me?"

Hearing this, Sean quickly walked over and shielded Riley behind him.

"Sharon, it was you who spread rumors everywhere that she was a mistress, so I had no choice but to marry her in name only. You are the one who caused this, so you have no right to blame anyone!"

Sharon didn't even have the desire to argue anymore. "Okay."

Sean was quite pleased with her obedience today. "It's good that you've realized your mistake. Riley is pregnant, so let her have the master bedroom. The lighting is better there."

"Jordan likes James's children's room. For now, you and James can stay in the guest room."

As always, whatever Riley and her daughter wanted, Sharon and her son had to give up.

In the past, Sharon would feel wronged and always try to fight back.

But now, she just felt exhausted.

"Alright."

She had originally planned to tidy up a bit, but at that moment, she didn't want anything anymore.

If it weren't so late at night and if her son weren't running a fever, she would have taken him away right now!

Sean still wanted to say something.

But Sharon didn't want to listen. She carried James to the guest room.

He was puzzled. "Mommy, isn't the guest room for guests? This is our home, so why are we staying in the guest room?"

"Because… from now on, we are just guests."

Sharon placed a cooling patch on James's forehead and coaxed him to sleep early.

Sean came and knocked on the door.

"Do you need something?"

Sharon had never thought there would come a day when just seeing him would make her feel disgusted.

Sean was displeased with her attitude. "You're my wife. Do I need a reason to come find you?"

Normally, when he said something like this, Sharon would always argue back.

But this time, she was so exhausted that she didn't even want to respond.

Seeing this, Sean frowned.

Afraid that she was upset, he explained to her, "This time, it was indeed wrong of me to give James's spot to Jordan. But Riley's father once saved my life. When she asked for this spot for Jordan, I couldn't refuse."

Sharon's heart ached. "So, to repay a favor, you have to hurt me and James?"

"It's just a spot, do you really need to make such a big deal out of it? The entire Collins family’s fortune will belong to our son in the future. What won't he have? You and your son are both petty and narrow-minded!"

Sean knew that taking the spot was wrong, so he had originally come with a Lego set and a necklace to apologize to the mother and son.

But Sharon always had to compete with Riley and her daughter, which made him feel annoyed.

He had given her both himself and the entire Collins family, and all he asked was for her and their son to occasionally make some concessions to Riley and her daughter. Was that really too much?

Sean didn't bother arguing with her any further and left with a cold face.

Sharon watched him walk away and, unlike in the past years, didn't try to stop him or compromise.

She massaged her temples in exhaustion, closed the door, and lay back on the bed.

But her mind was troubled, and she tossed and turned until dawn before finally dozing off.

Yet she had barely slept when she was startled awake by the sound of a child crying.

"James!"

Sharon snapped awake and ran out barefooted.

In the playroom, Sean was holding Jordan, soothing her affectionately alongside Riley.

Meanwhile, James stood in front of them, his face streaked with tears, a bright red slap mark on his cheek—as if Sean didn't even see it.

Sharon's heart ached. She crouched down and gently wiped his tears.

"Don't cry, sweetheart. Tell Mommy what happened."

Before James could answer, Riley spoke indignantly, "I hit him! Sharon, you're always petty, always jealous of me and Sean, always trying to harm me with your little schemes. I've been magnanimous enough to tolerate you. But your son is only five years old, and you're already teaching him to bully Jordan?"

Sharon's expression darkened. "James would never bully anyone for no reason! You hit him—you must apologize!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Sean's face darkened.

"Sharon, that's enough! It was your son who took Jordan's toy and pushed her first—that's why Riley stepped in!"

"You're too indulgent with him. You've spoiled him. Riley was just trying to help us discipline him!"

James sobbed and shook his head. "Daddy, I didn't take Jordan's toy—she took my stuffed animal!"

Sean hesitated for a moment but still reprimanded him. "You're older than Jordan. What's wrong with letting her have it?"

James whimpered, "But she used scissors to cut my stuffed animal! Grandma sewed that for me herself!"

Sharon had rushed in so quickly that she only now noticed the scattered fabric pieces on the floor.

It was shredded into tiny fragments—impossible to sew back together.

The truth was clear now. She thought Sean would finally realize he had wronged James and at least apologize.

But Riley tugged on his sleeve and pouted her lips. "Jordan is only five. What does she know? She just thought cutting the stuffed animal was part of playing."

Sean hesitated, then nodded. He looked at James and said, "Enough. Be a man—don't be so petty."

Hearing this, Sharon felt hurt, his eyes turned red, and tears nearly fell.

"Sean, how... how can you say something like that? That stuffed animal was made by my mother, with her own hands, before she passed away!"

Jordan immediately burst into tears. "Ms. Milton is so mean, so scary!"

Sean wiped her tears and scolded, "Jordan is crying because of you! She's just a child. She doesn't understand these things—do you really need to make such a big deal out of it? This matter is over. If you keep stirring up trouble, you and James can stop living here!"

He carried Jordan and left with Riley without sparing Sharon or James a second glance.

The anger caused Sharon to find it hard to breathe and her chest heaved up and down.

If it were before, she would have gone to argue with Sean, to make him understand right from wrong.

But now, she had completely given up on him.

Sharon comforted her son, then picked up the shredded pieces of the stuffed animal, trying to fix it.

But after stabbing her fingers multiple times, which drew blood, she ended up with nothing but a pile of fabric scraps.

Looking at her wounded hands, she suddenly remembered what her mother had told her before she passed away, tears in her eyes as she held Sharon's hand. "I'm not afraid of dying... I'm only afraid that after I'm gone, no one will protect you and James."

"Sean is a man of loyalty, but he lacks clarity. That Riley... she's full of schemes. Your husband always sides with her and her daughter. What will happen to you and James in the future?"

Back then, Sharon had firmly reassured her mother, "Don't worry, Mom. Sean is only good to Riley because he's repaying a favor. He loves me—he would never hurt us."

Thinking of how deeply she had once trusted and loved Sean, Sharon only felt an overwhelming sense of irony.

She carefully packed away the remains of the stuffed animal, took James, and checked into the nearest hotel.

She no longer wanted to stay in that "home" where they were constantly mistreated.

But not long after arriving at the hotel, Sean came looking for them.

"Riley said she saw you and James leaving. I thought she was mistaken, but it turns out she was right. Why aren't you staying at home? What are you doing at a hotel?"

James saw him but no longer called him "Daddy" with excitement. Instead, he shrank back, hiding behind Sharon in fear.

Seeing James’s terrified expression made Sharon's heart ache.

"I took the initiative to leave with James. I don’t need you to drive us away."