My husband’s family has a tradition of couples living apart together, and he can't publicly acknowledge our relationship until a son is born.

He forces me to respect his family's traditions and tells me to raise our daughter alone.

Six years after we got married, Andrew Sonovan inherits everything his late brother left behind, including his widow, Kasey Jordan.

To satisfy his family's demands for him to carry on both lines, he sleeps with Kasey time and time again. Then, he holds me in his arms. "I can have a proper wedding with you once Kasey gets pregnant and carries on my brother's line. Hold on for a bit longer…"

However, all I get is the news of him marrying Kasey.

"Marry me, Kasey! I'll make you the happiest woman in the world!"

I watch as Andrew gets on one knee in the glow of the flickering candlelight. He looks at Kasey lovingly as he proposes. Meanwhile, she rubs her baby bump, looking blissful.

My daughter and I stand outside the room and witness their happiness. It's only then do I understand that I'm the only one who's been in the dark for the past six years.

After returning from the Sonovan family's residence, my daughter, Molly Sonovan, considerately went back to her room.

Through the crack of the door, I saw her curled up under the blanket, small and trembling. I felt like my heart was being cut by a knife.

I wearily called my parents who were abroad and agreed to their request for me to immigrate. "Dad, Mom, I've thought it through."

In a week, Molly and I would leave this place. And that day also happened to be the tenth anniversary of my meeting with Andrew Sonovan.

I sat alone in the living room all night, crying until I had no more tears left.

The living room light turned on with a snap. Andrew walked over quickly and pulled me into his arms.

"Why didn't you wait for me in the bedroom? It's cold here. Be careful not to catch a cold."

Instinctively, I pulled away from his embrace. He froze for a moment, then chuckled softly.

"You really have a sharp nose. You can even smell it even when someone else smokes."

I hated the smell of smoke. But even after I gave birth to Molly, he still hadn't quit smoking.

It wasn't until half a year ago that he suddenly made up his mind to quit, but it was for someone else.

Andrew kissed my forehead and habitually slipped his hand inside my clothes.

Over the past six months, his desire for me had grown increasingly urgent. I thought it was because our feelings for each other were deepening. But in reality, it was because the woman he truly cared about was pregnant, and he was simply taking out all his pent-up passion on me.

What was I to him, then?

I only felt waves of nausea and pushed him away instinctively.

Andrew paused, a helpless look flashing across his face.

"Alright, alright, I'll go take a shower. Go wait for me in the bedroom. I miss you so much, darling."

I watched his tall, commanding figure as he walked into the bathroom. He still carried himself with the same effortless elegance and composure, without a trace of the heaviness or weariness typical of a man in middle age.

Six years ago, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.

"Mia, trust me. I'll definitely make you happy for the rest of your life."

But in just six years, everything had changed.

The phone Andrew left on the table suddenly rang. The ringtone was an unfamiliar song.

Just as I was about to pick it up, he snatched it away with wet hands.

"What? Kasey's not feeling well? Okay, I'll be right there."

He was frowning, clearly worried sick. He hastily wiped the water off his body with a towel and quickly changed into his clothes.

"Kasey? What happened to her?"

Andrew stiffened. He immediately turned his head to explain, "After Harry passed away, Kasey has never been able to move on. You know how it is with my family's traditions, so my parents want me to take on both households."

He paused, then turned around and held my shoulders, gazing at me with deep affection.

"But you're the only one I love, Mia. Even if I have to go against my whole family, I'll still give you the formal, public recognition you deserve as my wife."

It was only after he proposed that he told me his family had a tradition of husbands and wives living apart together.

Thus, we only registered the marriage and didn't have a wedding. Our families never even met.

I thought loving someone meant respecting them. So for six years, I bore everything alone. But he shouldn't have lied to me.

Watching him turn and leave, I couldn't help but speak up. "Andrew, you—"

"Mia, you should be more understanding. I've already gone against my family's norms for you. What more do you want?"

I swallowed down the rest of my words.

Looking at this impatient face, I said softly, "Tomorrow is Molly's birthday."

Andrew froze for a moment, and his expression shifted to one of guilt.

"Alright, I got it."

I didn't know what he meant by that. But both Molly and I didn't want him anymore.

The next morning, Molly sat in the living room, obediently waiting for Andrew. But just like before, he didn't show up at all.

To cheer Molly up, I took her to the amusement park, and we played all day. But she wasn't happy. She kept glancing toward the park's entrance.

I knew, just like me, she was waiting for someone who wouldn't show up.

In the evening, I carried my sleeping daughter back home. But to my surprise, as soon as we reached the doorsteps, someone insisted on taking us to the Sonovan family's residence.

"Is there something you need?"

It was the first time in six years I had seen Andrew's mother, Erica Hull.

Erica merely shot me a cold glance before saying haughtily, "Huh, as expected from someone of low birth—you have no manners at all. Don't you even know how to greet your elders when you see them?"

I knew that in the eyes of the Sonovan family, I was nothing more than an ordinary country girl. Their family was wealthy and powerful, so of course, I must have been the kind of woman who clung to her son.

In the six years since she was born, Molly had never met her paternal grandmother. I didn't want to wake my daughter, so I covered her ears while Erica sat on the couch, looking at me with contempt.

"Kasey is pregnant, and the baby in the belly is the first grandson of our family."

My heart felt like it was ripped open.

At that moment, a man's gentle voice came from upstairs.

"Kasey, slow down. Be careful with the baby in your belly."

Andrew and Kasey Jordan descended from the second floor, looking every bit like a truly loving couple.

When Andrew saw me in the living room, his expression changed. But he still carefully helped Kasey down the stairs.

Erica went to greet them with a smile.

She affectionately rubbed Kasey's tummy, saying, "Our family's grandson must be of pure blood, not a brat with mixed blood."

Erica glanced at me with disdain, as if I were some kind of trash.

"Andrew, since you and Kasey are together now, it's time to get rid of anyone who shouldn't be here."

Andrew's face showed a hint of hesitation as he grabbed Erica's hand. "Mom, didn't you promise me—"

Kasey looked at him weakly with soft, tear-filled eyes.

Andrew hesitated instantly.

Knowing what his choice would be, I swallowed the bitterness rising in my throat.

"Molly is my daughter—she has nothing to do with your family."

Molly, who was still in my arms, woke up from the noise. Sleepily, she reached up with her small hand to touch my red-rimmed eyes.

"Mommy, don't cry. I'll be a good girl."

I held her tightly in my arms and kissed her little face.

"Molly, from now on, you don't have a daddy anymore. You only have mommy, okay?"

Andrew opened his mouth, wanting to explain. But I didn't look at him.

He knew I had a stubborn temper, but he never expected me to agree so easily to Erica's request. It was just like back then, when I loved him so much that I disregarded everyone's opposition and resolutely stayed in the country for him.

Molly was still confused, but I could see the sadness in her eyes. I didn't want my daughter to be hurt any further, but as I was about to leave, Kasey blocked my way.

"Andrew, how could you be honest with Mia?" Kasey asked.

I looked at Andrew, who averted his gaze.

"After I got pregnant, I couldn't sleep well. But Andrew said your courtyard house is very quiet, so I'd like to move there to rest and focus on the pregnancy," Kasey said.

I glared at Andrew.

"That's my house! Who gave you the right to give it to someone else?"

Kasey leaned weakly into Andrew's embrace, and he instinctively wrapped his arm around her, gently supporting her slightly rounded belly. This child, even before being born, already had 100% of his father's love.

But what about Molly? From the day we learned of her existence, Andrew had never shown up. It turned out the signs were there all along.

Andrew hesitated, but seeing the misty tears in Kasey's eyes, he gritted his teeth and spoke up. "It's just for a few months until the baby is born."

But my grandmother, Tanya Cohen, had left the house to me. At that time, Andrew had knelt beside Grandma's sickbed, gripping my hand tightly, promising that he would love me for life.

Oh, well.

I pinched my fingers, trying my best to keep my emotions in check.

"If you want to live there, fine. I'll sell it to you for three million dollars."

Kasey's smile froze.

I turned around without even looking at them.

"I'm sure the great Sonovan family wouldn't stoop to taking advantage of a country girl like me, right? You can move in once I get the money. Otherwise, you can forget all about it."

"Alright, I'll transfer the money to you right away," Andrew said without hesitation.

But I quickly walked out of the Sonovan family's residence with Molly in my arms.

We would never come back here again.

On the way home, realization dawned on Molly as she gradually woke up. She pressed herself tightly against my chest. By the time I noticed, her eyes had already become red from all the crying.

"Molly, how about we go visit your grandpa and grandma?"

Sobbing, Molly asked, "What about Daddy?"

I didn't know how to answer, but I still chose to tell her the truth.

"Your daddy is going to be another kid's daddy now. So, we don't want him anymore. Is that okay?"

I didn't want Molly to sacrifice herself, doing whatever her father wanted, just because she yearned for his love.

Molly pressed her lips together and hugged her doll tighter.

"But I also want Daddy to hold me up high."

At the amusement park, all the children were being carried on their fathers' shoulders. But Molly could only watch with envy.

I simply couldn't bear to see Molly upset, so I agreed to her request. "I'll give you anything you want, Molly."

When we got home, I saw the messages Andrew had sent me. I didn't have the patience to read them one by one.

I just replied with two sentences, "The day after tomorrow is the kindergarten open day. Come spend the day with Molly, and I'll transfer the house deed to you."

Andrew replied quickly, "Mia, I know all of this is my fault. But I have my reasons too. Don't worry, I'll definitely be there the day after tomorrow."

On the third morning, Molly put on her prettiest princess dress.

"Mommy, Daddy's coming today! I'm going to be the happiest little girl in the world!"

I nodded with a smile and kissed her cheek.

But when we got to the kindergarten, I still didn't see Andrew.

After handing Molly over to the teacher, I called Andrew several times, but no one answered.

I watched as Molly's joy slowly turned into disappointment.

"Mommy, all the other kids' daddies are here."

Doing her best to hold back her tears, she comforted me, "But I have the best mommy in the world. I only need Mommy."

My daughter, at just six years old, had been forced to accept the reality of not having a father. She shouldn't have to bear this pain.

I couldn't hold back my anger any longer. Molly hadn't done anything wrong, so why?

But at that moment, I received a message from Andrew.

"I'm at Cloudalis."