Six years of marriage.

All passion at night, but never tenderness in the daylight.

Amelia Sinclair loved Christopher Zephyr deeply, and she swallowed the bitterness as if it were sweet.

Her own daughter wasn't allowed to call him father, yet the son of his first love sat on his lap, learning to say the word "dad".

The entire family treated that adopted boy as a precious heir, while her own flesh and blood was treated like a shameful stain.

It wasn't until Amelia and her daughter paid with their lives—until Christopher signed the cremation papers with his own hand and then took the boy to attend his first love's welcome banquet—that Amelia finally understood.

Love couldn't win love.

A heartless man had no heart to give.

When Amelia was reborn, she swore she would never again cling to that cold and humiliating marriage.

In her past life, she had foolishly given up her studies, content to be a housewife and devote herself to her family.

In this one, she submitted the divorce papers without hesitation, took her daughter far from the mire, and rebuilt her career until she stood at the top again.

In the first week after Amelia left, Christopher dismissed it as one of her tantrums.

By the first month, he brushed it off completely. It didn't matter to him what she did, so it was fine to let her go.

Later on, he saw her again, standing tall among the industry's elite!

Amelia was focused only on her career, and her daughter was focused only on finding herself a new father.

And Christopher finally realized that they really didn't want him anymore.

The man lost all reason.

The one who had always been cold, proud, untouchable, suddenly threw away his dignity.

He blocked the mother and daughter pair in full view of everyone, his voice breaking as he pleaded, "Honey, I'll kneel here if I have to. Please... just love me one more time."

"I'm sorry, Ms. Sinclair. Your daughter passed away at 1:13 a.m. on February 15. We tried, but we couldn't save her."

Amelia Sinclair clutched a little stuffed rabbit in her hand, her face blank as she stared at the closed doors of the operating room.

She had come to say her final goodbye to her daughter.

Inside, Amelia held Evelyn Zephyr's frail hands on the cold, sterile bed. They were icy and drained of warmth. She smoothed Evelyn's hair back, remembering the weak little voice from just before they wheeled her into the emergency room.

"Mommy, isn't Uncle Chris here yet?"

The uncle Evelyn spoke of was her biological father, Christopher Zephyr. He never allowed Evelyn to call him Daddy. Yet he let the son of his first love call him that without hesitation.

Evelyn's greatest birthday wish was simple. She wanted to spend the day with her father, and she wanted him to let her call him Daddy.

Her health had always been fragile. Last winter, she caught the flu while waiting outside in the freezing wind for Christopher to come home for dinner. It turned into pneumonia, and this year her condition plummeted. She had been in and out of the hospital ever since.

Today was another bitter winter day, where Evelyn once again waited at the front gate, hoping her father would come home and eat with her. She collapsed in the cold before Amelia found her and rushed her to the hospital.

The doctor warned that she might not survive the night. Amelia begged Christopher to come back for Evelyn's birthday, and he promised he would. Then he broke that promise, just like every other time.

Amelia gathered her daughter's frail body into her arms and whispered softly, "Sweet girl, you're free now."

Free from the pain of her illness, her father's dislike, and the constant ache of longing for a father's love that never came.

"Mommy, why won't Uncle Chris let me call him Daddy, but my brother can?"

"Mommy, is it because Ms. Nikki loves my brother, so Daddy loves him too?"

Evelyn's innocent questions still echoed in Amelia's ears, over and over again.

She was just a little girl, too young to understand why her father didn't love her, and why she wasn't allowed to call him Daddy. She only thought that maybe she wasn't as good as her brother, and that was why he didn't like her.

Six years ago, an accident changed everything. Amelia became pregnant with Evelyn and married Christopher for the sake of the child.

When she gave birth, it was a difficult labor, and she hemorrhaged badly. Christopher didn't even care. He was busy with Nicole Randall, his first love, while Amelia struggled to survive.

The choice of who mattered more was obvious.

After Nicole gave birth to his son, Nathan Zephyr, she left the child with Christopher and vanished abroad without a trace.

Amelia had loved Christopher for years. To win his favor, she accepted the child Nicole had borne and raised him as her own, treating him with care as if he were her own flesh and blood.

Yet Christopher would not let Evelyn call him Daddy. Meanwhile, Nathan was treated like a treasure. That was the difference.

The night Amelia nearly died giving birth, she should have realized his heart was nothing but stone. No matter what she did, it would never grow warm.

Evelyn was born first that morning, yet Christopher insisted Nathan be recognized as the older brother, claiming the status of heir to the Zephyr family.

So everyone assumed that child was truly Christopher's firstborn son, and Evelyn was merely the illegitimate daughter.

A doctor stood behind Amelia, watching her trembling back with a heavy gaze. "Is the girl's father here?"

From the day Evelyn was hospitalized until now, the doctor had never seen her father.

Amelia's eyes went cold, and a bitter laugh escaped her lips. "Her father went abroad with his illegitimate son to see his real mother. He even threw a birthday party for him."

It was the same every year.

And Amelia had foolishly spent five years raising someone else's child.

Two children were born on the same day, yet Evelyn had nothing but neglect.

The doctor froze, staring at the woman before him, unsure of what to say. How could he even begin to comfort someone so broken?

-

On the first day after Evelyn's death, Amelia took care of all the arrangements.

The city of Northon had cremation forms that required signatures from both parents.

Afterward, she returned to the Harbor Villa to sort through Evelyn's things.

From downstairs, the sound of a car reached her ears.

"Daddy! When are you going to leave Mommy and marry Ms. Nikki? I want Ms. Nikki to be my Mommy!"

Christopher draped his coat over his arm and bent down to pinch his son's cheek. "Nate, you can call Ms. Nikki Mommy."

Amelia heard every word clearly from the stairs. Her heart tightened, and she closed her eyes, taking a deep, steadying breath.

"Go get your mother to give you a bath, change into clean clothes, then you can go welcome Ms. Nikki," Christopher added.

Nathan jumped up, thrilled. "Yay!"

But the excitement faded in an instant, and his face fell. "But... if Mommy finds out, will she let me go? I hate Mommy. She never lets me eat outside food!"

Christopher ruffled Nathan's hair, giving him a reassuring squeeze. "Don't worry, Daddy's here. She won't dare."

As he glanced up, his eyes happened to meet Amelia's from upstairs. His expression was calm, unreadable, completely indifferent. He looked away without a word.

Nathan ran up the stairs and grabbed Amelia's hand. "Mommy, give me a bath. I'm going out soon."

Amelia pulled her hand back and looked at Christopher. "Did you forget something?"

He raised his eyes and gave her a cold, casual glance. "What?"

All these years, he had been distant and cold to her and to Evelyn.

Amelia let out a bitter, self-deprecating laugh.

Of course. How could he possibly remember that Evelyn and Nathan shared the same birthday?

Every year, Nathan's birthday was a grand affair, celebrated with Nicole in full spectacle.

Year after year, Evelyn waited in the freezing wind for a father who would never come home.

"I need to talk to you," Amelia said.

Christopher scoffed. "I'm busy today."

"It won't take long. Just need you to sign two documents."

She held out the folder, pointing to where he needed to sign.

Christopher's impatience was clear, as if spending even one more second with her was unbearable. He frowned and scrawled his signature, handing the papers back without a word.

"Nate and I are going out tonight, and we won't be back. When Evie goes to school tomorrow, have her ask the teacher to excuse Nate for half a day," he said.

Amelia clenched her teeth, gripping the folder so tightly her knuckles whitened.

If he had really looked, he would have seen that one document was a divorce agreement, the other the paperwork for Evelyn's cremation. Yet he signed both with casual indifference.

"Also, tell Evie not to call me," he said.

Amelia laughed bitterly.

Evelyn wouldn't be calling him anymore.

Amelia wouldn't either.

Christopher glanced at her, noticing her uncharacteristic calm, then dismissed it without concern.

Time was running out. Nicole called, asking when they would arrive. Nathan, still unbathed and in the same clothes, followed Christopher toward the door.

"I'll ask my new Mommy to give me a bath tonight," Nathan said excitedly.

Christopher gave him an indulgent smile. "Alright."

Amelia stayed frozen, staring at their retreating figures for a long time. When she finally moved, she gathered everything at home that had belonged to her and Evelyn and burned it all.

Then she went to the crematorium and arranged for Evelyn's body to be cremated.

When she received the ashes, she couldn't hold back her tears.

"Evie, wait for Mommy. I'll come to you soon..."

-

Elsewhere, Christopher attended Nicole's welcome-home banquet with Nathan.

The three of them laughed and chatted, looking cozy and intimate like a perfect little family. Everyone praised how happy they looked together, and some whispered that Amelia was selfishly clinging to the title of Christopher's wife, ruining their family harmony.

Then, someone hurried through the crowd and stopped in front of Christopher.

"Mr. Zephyr, your wife and daughter are being cremated today. Please proceed to the crematorium to collect the ashes."

Christopher's expression didn't change, and he coldly said, "She's a grown woman. How long is she going to play these petty jealousy games?"

"But sir, you personally signed the cremation forms. You also signed the divorce papers..."

The words hit Christopher like a punch, making his heart skip a beat. "What did you say?"

-

Christopher all but sped his way to the crematorium. He arrived just in time to see his wife being pushed into the furnace, and his daughter's ashes at the side.

In that moment, the world seemed to stop.

The staff at the crematorium watched as the man collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud.

A soft thud at her feet jolted Amelia from her daze.

She looked down, bewildered, and saw a small blue fondant cake on the floor.

"Mommy, I told you I don't want you to make my birthday cake!"

Nathan's dissatisfied voice cut through the air. He looked up at Amelia with a frown. "It's ugly and tastes awful. Don't you understand what I'm saying?"

What was this?

Amelia drew in a sharp breath.

Had she traveled back into the past?

She really did—she was back to Nathan's birthday party a year ago!

Nathan continued his chatter without pause. "I want a cake made by Ms. Nikki!"

"Mommy, I think the cake you made is delicious. If Nate won't eat it, I'll eat it all," came the soft, sweet voice of her daughter.

Hearing that voice again, Amelia looked down at Evelyn's delicate, childish face, and tears blurred her vision.

She crouched down and gently cupped Evelyn's cheeks in her hands. Evelyn was warm and tangible, and it made Amelia's heart surge with certainty.

She had truly come back to the past.

This time, she would never let her daughter be hurt again.

Evelyn glanced at Nathan and said, "You can't speak to Mommy like that. Aren't you afraid she'll never make you a cake again?"

Nathan waved her off dismissively. "Eat it yourself. I don't care."

He tugged on Nicole's hand. "I want Ms. Nikki to be my Mommy. She'll make me lots of yummy food, and she'll take me horseback riding and rock climbing. Mommy doesn't even know what horseback riding is, and it's embarrassing.

"Daddy likes Ms. Nikki, so I like her too!"

Christopher frowned. "What nonsense are you talking about?"

Nicole, dressed in sleek leather, laughed openly and confidently, completely at ease.

She draped one arm over Christopher's shoulder, acting like they were old pals, while the other hand ruffled Nathan's hair. "Being your daddy's wife isn't easy, you know. He and I are buddies, thick as thieves."

She added, her tone soft but firm. "And Nate, didn't I teach you not to speak to your Mommy like that? Are you going to ignore my advice too?"

Nathan pouted and scooted closer to Nicole. He flung Amelia's birthday gift to the floor, too.

"But Mommy's gifts are always cheap pens. She never gives me toys like you, Ms. Nikki. You made me a model airplane yourself! And it can actually fly! That's way better than anything Mommy gives me!

"Daddy said that someday you'll design real airplanes, and he can ride in one you designed. That sounds amazing. You're not like Mommy, who's just a clueless country bumpkin who doesn't know anything!"

Amelia looked at the child she had raised, standing so close to Nicole, and a small, bitter smile tugged at her lips. How had she never noticed this before?

Nathan was Nicole's biological son. Of course he would be attached to her, even if he didn't yet know she was his real mother.

In her previous life, Amelia had treated Nathan as her own and raised him, all to win Christopher's favor. And yet, they had always taken it for granted.

Not anymore. She would no longer swallow her pride and let Evelyn suffer for their sake.

Amelia bent down and picked up the pen, her face calm, without a trace of anger. She smiled faintly and said, "Ms. Randall, you do know how to take care of children. I'll leave Nate and Christopher in your hands from now on."

Nicole froze, clearly not expecting Amelia to say that. There was no argument, no pleading, no meekness. Only a calm and steady smile.

Then Nicole turned to Christopher. "Chris, did what I said make Mia misunderstand? If it did, I won't say anything more. That was my mistake."

Christopher frowned as he looked at Amelia. "You're an adult, so stop throwing childish tantrums. You can’t just blurt out nonsense like that."

He was clearly defending Nicole, as if Amelia were deliberately disrespecting her.

Amelia met his cold and detached gaze. It was the same as always. Here, in front of everyone, he shielded Nicole, showing Amelia not a shred of consideration.

He acted as if it were his right, simply because he was certain Amelia would never leave.

This time, she wouldn't be like before. She would no longer swallow her anger just so her daughter could celebrate her birthday with her father. She wouldn't force herself to smile and endure, staying until the party came to an end.

She had been reborn, and she wouldn't be so foolish again!

She would become her daughter's support and the source of her strength. Whatever others had, she would give to Evelyn herself.

Calmly, she turned away from Christopher and took her daughter's hand. "Come on, Evie. Mommy is taking you to celebrate your birthday."

This time, she wouldn't let her daughter endure cold stares or unfair treatment.

Evelyn glanced longingly at Christopher, but in the end, she chose to leave with her mother.

They had only taken a few steps when someone blocked their path. "Mr. Zephyr has instructed that no one may leave until Mr. Nathan's birthday celebration is complete."

Amelia's chest sank at the sight of the hands holding them back.

Christopher had always given Nathan the spotlight, showering him with so much affection that everyone assumed Nathan was his firstborn son, while Evelyn was merely his illegitimate daughter.

Now, they weren't even allowed to leave Nathan's birthday early.

But did he even remember that Evelyn's birthday was today too?

Of course he wouldn't. When Evelyn was born, and Amelia was struggling through a difficult labor and hemorrhaging, he had been with Nicole.

He had brazenly called it a moral obligation. Nicole was alone and needed care, so he had to stay with her. Once she gave birth, she went abroad to advance her career.

Now she had returned with dual degrees in fintech and aerospace engineering. Top companies were lining up to recruit her, but she hadn't accepted a single offer. She intended to join Northon's Aerotech Institute 511, better known simply as Institute 511. It was known for its strict standards and high demands on newcomers, and Christopher had been helping her navigate the introductions and approvals.

In her previous life, Amelia had never paid attention to any of this. She had been so focused on Christopher and oblivious to Nicole's career ambitions. She had foolishly raised someone else's child for five years, sacrificing her own future for a man and a child, content to stay home and play the perfect wife and mother.

Looking back, it was pitifully foolish.

Amelia sneered. "Mr. Zephyr's rules won't hold me."

Before, she had cared too much about Christopher, and was willing to play the obedient wife in the family.

Now that she was reborn, she would no longer tether herself to him as his assistant. She would live brilliantly with her daughter, return to her career, and reclaim her place at the top!

Christopher's expression tightened, and the chill in his attitude became impossible to ignore.

Amelia sneered inwardly. He was probably wondering why his once-compliant, gentle wife had suddenly defied him in public. His anger was predictable.

She would never again play the role of the self-sacrificing wife.

Without hesitation, Amelia yanked off her wedding ring and hurled it to the floor. It bounced several times across the smooth surface before coming to a stop.

The clink of metal hitting the floor drew sharp gasps from everyone around.

"Christopher, let's get a divorce. Nate stays with you, and Evie stays with me. I'll have the divorce papers delivered to the board tomorrow morning."

If he loved Nathan and Nicole that much, she would let them be in this life.

Amelia had humiliated Christopher in front of everyone.

His eyes darkened as he stared at her. "How long are you going to make a scene? Nate is still a child. Do you really want to divorce me over something so trivial?"

In the eyes of a man who didn't love a woman, everything she did was unreasonable.

Amelia wouldn't make the same mistake again. She would no longer endure his coldness with Evelyn. She wouldn't continue raising a son—or rather, a foster son—for him.

She wanted nothing to do with either of them anymore.

"Yes, I do," she said coldly.

Then, she turned her gaze to the security guard. "Step aside."

The security guard was shaken by the scene. He stepped aside and didn't try to stop them again.

As he watched Amelia leave with Evelyn, Christopher's face grew stormy, his expression turning unbearably grim.

Nicole asked, "Did Mia misunderstand something? I'll go explain things to her. Don't take this lightly, Chris. Women can do anything when they're angry."

She started moving to intercept Amelia, looking as if she were anxious to smooth things over.

"No need for that. She won't divorce me," Christopher said coldly, his voice icy.

After the birthday banquet was over, Nathan was still bubbling with excitement in the car.

For once, his mother hadn't been there to watch over him or stop him, so at the party he got to eat whatever he wanted.

Also, Nicole had spoiled him endlessly. She was so much better than his mother.

When the Maybach pulled up in front of the villa, Nathan pouted and reluctantly took Christopher's hand as he climbed out.

He never wanted to go home after outings because his mother would always be there.

But Nicole had said he needed to respect Amelia's rules if he wanted to have more fun next time. And Christopher had added that if he misbehaved, he wouldn't get to play with Nicole again.

So, despite his reluctance, he returned home.

"Daddy, I want to play with Ms. Nikki again tomorrow. Don't let her go abroad, okay? Then Mommy won't bother me anymore."

Christopher's voice was flat and unreadable. "She'll go abroad for a while, but when she returns, she won't leave again. She'll stay with you."

Amelia had been married to Christopher for six years. She was always eager to please him, obedient and accommodating, yet most of the time, he refused her requests.

On the other hand, Nicole was almost always indulged.

Nathan was aware of the special bond between Christopher and Nicole. When he heard his father's words, he finally smiled in satisfaction.

The moment they stepped inside, Nathan's excitement spilled over. "Mommy, fill the tub for me! I want to soak in a nice milk bath!"

Nicole had even complimented him today, saying he smelled so sweet, just like Christopher did when he was younger.

At that moment, Anna came out to greet him. "Mr. Nathan, Mrs. Zephyr isn't home tonight. Shall I help you with your bath?"

Christopher asked casually in a neutral tone, "Where is she?"

"I'm not sure, sir. Mrs. Zephyr and Miss Evelyn didn't come back tonight," Anna said, pulling out a neatly packaged folder. "This is for you. Mrs. Zephyr asked me to give it to you."

Christopher lowered his gaze, took the folder, and tossed it casually onto the table. Then he looked at Nathan. "Go have Anna help you with your bath."

Nathan's face lit up with excitement. "Mommy and Evie aren't home! That means the toy room is all mine!"

Christopher smiled faintly and ruffled Nathan's hair. "Yeah, it's all yours."

"I don't want to play with the toys Evie gave me anymore. They're boring. I'm going to move all the toys Ms. Nikki gave me into the toy room, and Evie isn't allowed to play with them!"

That was because Evelyn didn't like Nicole. She only liked their mother, who was just a silly country bumpkin.

What was there to like about someone like that?

"Daddy, since Mommy's not home, can I ask Ms. Nikki to come sleep with me?"

"No," Christopher said flatly. "Ms. Nikki is very busy."

Nathan pouted but went upstairs to take his bath.

As Anna followed him, she suddenly paused and turned back to Christopher. "Sir, it looks like Mrs. Zephyr packed her things and Miss Evelyn's luggage and left. Maybe she went back to her parents' house..."

Christopher simply nodded.

He didn't care.

For Amelia, the Sinclair family wasn't a safe or welcoming place. Outside of the Zephyr family, she had nowhere else to go.

Normally, she was patient and tolerant, never objecting to Nathan or Nicole spending time together.

But today, she had acted out and thrown a small tantrum.

Once her temper subsided, she would naturally return, just like always.

Christopher sat on the sofa and finished up a work email. As he got ready to head upstairs to wash up, his eyes fell on the folder that had been tossed on the table earlier.

Casually, he opened it.

The bold words of "Divorce Agreement" stared up at him from the page.

Christopher scanned the terms with a faint, indifferent expression.

She only wanted five million and custody of Evelyn.

He snorted and dismissed it entirely, then casually tossed the papers into the trash.

Amelia would come back eventually. She always did after throwing a tantrum.

-

After packing their things at the villa, Amelia and Evelyn stayed at a hotel for the time being.

"Evie, would you like to go live with Mommy somewhere else?"

Evelyn lowered her head, biting her lip, looking conflicted.

Amelia crouched down to her level. "You don't want to leave Daddy and Nate, do you?"

Evelyn longed to call Christopher "Daddy", and even more, she wanted to play with Nathan. Most of the time, she waited at home for them to come back for dinner. By the time the food grew cold, they still hadn't returned. She would always tell Evelyn to eat, but Evelyn would take a few bites and say she was full. She would always wait for them, leaving herself hungry.

Evelyn was a growing girl. Over time, she became increasingly thin, and her health started to suffer.

At first, Amelia thought it was just her daughter's small appetite. Later, she realized the painful truth... Evelyn had been waiting for Christopher and Nathan.

Evelyn looked up to meet Amelia's gaze. "Mommy, does Uncle Chris not like me? Is that why he doesn't like you either?"

Amelia's chest tightened, as if a blade had cut straight through her heart. The pain was sharp, raw, and unrelenting.

"My sweet girl, you're amazing," Amelia said, holding her daughter's small hand. "If he doesn't like you, that's his loss. Will you come with Mommy?"

"Yes," Evelyn said firmly, nodding. "Even though I'll miss Uncle Chris and Nate, I know you love me the most. Wherever you are, that's where I want to be."

Amelia's eyes stung with tears as she hugged her daughter tightly.

This time, she would protect Evelyn no matter what.

When she returned to the villa, she had only packed a few sets of clothes for herself and Evelyn.

After the marriage, Christopher had been sending half a million dollars to her account regularly to support the children and manage the household.

However, he would always sneak extra money to Nathan. When he returned from business trips, he would bring high-end clothes and accessories for Nathan, claiming it was because the boy had lost his real father, his birth mother didn't care about him, and he was pitiful.

In her past life, she loved Christopher to the extreme, obeying his every word and constantly buying him gifts and clothes. She had poured all her energy, money, and attention into him and the children, managing the household and their family life.

Daily visits to high-society circles and managing social connections also fell on her shoulders. By the end, she barely had any money left.

Looking back now, she realized how foolish and pitiable she had been.

After giving Evelyn a bath and tucking her in, Amelia was just about to get up and wash herself when her phone rang urgently.

It was Anna.

"Mrs. Zephyr, what ratio and temperature should Mr. Nathan's milk bath be? No matter how I prepare it, Mr. Nathan says it's uncomfortable."

"Call Nicole to give him the bath. That's the only way he'll be comfortable."

Anna was confused by Amelia's answer. But before she could react, the line went dead.

Anna took a deep breath and called again. "Mrs. Zephyr—"

"I'm getting a divorce from Christopher. Nathan is his son and has nothing to do with me. Don't call me again," Amelia said coldly, then hung up.

Anna was stunned.

Christopher glanced at Anna holding the phone and asked, "What did she say? When is she coming back?"

Anna nervously swallowed and said, "Mrs. Zephyr said she's divorcing you and that you should call Ms. Randall to bathe Mr. Nathan."