Wren practically shouted in my ear, "You really said yes?"

"Yeah," Holly said. "Being a judge isn't exactly thrilling, but the resignation takes ten days. Once it's done, I'll come to Caligold."

Wren had headed to Caligold right after graduation and built his own law firm. He had invited Holly more times than she could remember. Back then, she'd shelved the idea because she'd married Shane.

Wren hesitated, then asked, "Do you need to discuss it with your husband?"

A bitter smile tugged at her lips. "I don't have a husband now."

In fact, she wasn't even legally married. The irony would've been funny if it weren't her life.

Wren went quiet. He caught on right away and dropped the subject.

"Wren, I'll join Jenkins Legal Counsel on two conditions. If you agree, I'll sign a lifetime contract!

"First, erase every record tied to me in Auswinton, and do the same for my mother. Second, help me move my mother and my son to Caligold with me."

"Alright! It's no big deal!" he said without hesitation. "Holly, I can't wait for you to join me!"

When the call ended, Holly leaned against the cold wall and only then realized her face was wet with tears.

Less than a minute later, her phone rang again. It was Shane calling.

It was the same voice she'd heard on the speaker in court, only now, it sounded cold and distant. "Have you arrived in Havenport?"

"Yeah. I'm here."

After she was appointed as a judge, she texted him, planning to surprise him with the news.

"I booked flights for you and Aaron back to Auswinton the day after tomorrow. Take him out for a couple of days. I'm leaving on a month-long business trip tomorrow, so I won't have time for you two."

Holly let out a bitter laugh. She had just arrived, and he was already urging her to leave. Was it because he wanted to vacation on the island with Tess?

"Shane, let's meet," she said.

He clicked his tongue. "I'm busy, Holly. Can you stop being difficult for once?"

The line went dead before she could answer.

She stared at the dark screen until the last spark inside her went out.

If he didn't love her or Aaron, she'd take Aaron and disappear from his world.

Later, Holly headed back to the hotel, every step weighing her down. The moment the door opened, a little boy launched into her arms. "Mom! I missed you so much!"

Her lashes trembled as she blinked back tears and kissed Aaron's cheek. "Aaron, would you want to live overseas with me? It'll just be you, Grandma, and me. Dad won't be there."

Aaron smiled and nodded innocently. To him, Holly and Hayley were his whole world.

"Will you be okay if we don't see Dad anymore?" Holly asked.

Aaron puckered his lips and kissed her. "I'll always be with Mommy."

Holly held Aaron close, and only then did a sense of calm finally settle inside her.

She hadn't told Hayley yet because her blood pressure had been high for years. She planned to break the news after they emigrated.

...

The next day, Holly submitted her resignation to the court's higher office.

Maeve and Stella were stunned when they heard.

"Ms. Stanwick, did you win the lottery? It's so hard to become a judge. Are you really going to quit?"

Holly smiled. "I've thought it through. I want to go back to what I used to do."

"Fair. Lawyers make real money in Havenport. Just don't forget about us once you make it big, okay?"

Holly didn't say she was moving to Caligold to practice law. They probably wouldn't see each other again.

Havenport had already broken her. She wasn't coming back.

Before the workday ended, Holly got a call from an unknown number. The moment she answered, Aaron's crying flooded her ear.

"Hello, is this Aaron's mother? Aaron had something at daycare that seemed to have upset his stomach. He's running a slight fever. Would you like to take him to the hospital?"

Daycare? A fever?

Her brow furrowed, and she rushed to the daycare without even applying for leave.

On the way, she called Hayley over and over, but no one answered. She had no choice but to take the weak and feverish Aaron to the hospital first.

Thankfully, it wasn't serious. The doctor prescribed some medicine, and Aaron felt much better after taking it.

Holly asked, "Did Grandma drop you off at daycare? Where did she go?"

Aaron lowered his eyes and fidgeted with his fingers before finally speaking. "Grandma went to make money. She said you work too hard. She told me to be good at daycare, and she'll buy me ice cream..."

Holly was stunned for a moment.

Hayley must have thought she and Shane were arguing about money and wanted to help.

Half an hour later, Hayley finally returned the call, her voice low and nervous. "Holly, I'm working as a housekeeper now. Did something happen to Aaron?"

Holly felt a pang of guilt and couldn't bring herself to blame her. "He's fine. Are you tired? Where are you? I'll pick you up after work."

Hayley let out a sigh of relief, and her tone brightened. "Shane got me this job. Don't worry. I told him I was recommending a friend, not that it was me. I just wanted to help you two."

Shane got her that job? He could spend a billion dollars on a Blue Heart diamond for Tess, yet pretend to be broke around them. How long did he think he could keep up the act?

Without a second thought, Holly brought Aaron to the address Hayley sent over.

It was one of the well-known hillside villas in Havenport. The surroundings were serene, nestled against the bay and overlooking the city's glittering nightscape. But the price could make anyone's jaw drop.

Holly found the number on the gate and pressed the bell.

Aaron curiously pointed at the plaque and read it aloud. "Tessmont... Manor..."

The name hit Holly like a jolt. The black and gold plaque really did read "Tessmont Manor."

Just then, the lock clicked, and the door swung open.

Holly's throat tightened, as if an invisible hand had closed around it.

The next second, she saw Tess standing in the doorway.

Tess was just as stunned. "Ms. Stanwick, what are you doing here?"

Hayley hurried out to explain. "Ms. Lindell, this is my daughter. She's here to pick me up from work."

Holly finally found her breath and tightened her grip on Aaron's hand.

"Mom," he called softly, the quiet yelp of pain drawing Tess' attention.

"I didn't expect you to already be married, and even have a son." Tess stepped forward to pat Aaron's head, but he slipped away and hid behind Holly.

"Ms. Lindell, he's shy. Please don't mind him."

Tess narrowed her eyes, smiling as she looked at Aaron. "He's adorable. He looks a little familiar, though."

Holly's breath hitched. She offered a quick goodbye and left with Hayley and Aaron.

On the tram, Holly could barely process what she had just seen.

Shane had gotten Hayley a job as Tess' housekeeper. Tessmont Manor and the sea of Tess of the d'Urbervilles roses in the garden were proof of his love for Tess.

Holly was the other woman. Shane was cruel enough to make his own son illegitimate.

The vows he had whispered in her ear were now a brand of shame stamped into her life.

What had he ever given her? A cheap handmade ring? A marriage lived apart more often than not? Five years of silent treatment?

She had been foolish enough to wonder if it was her fault, if he was under too much financial pressure, or if distance had worn them down.

She had burned through years of savings to raise their child and fought her way into a judgeship in Havenport.

Just when she was ready to start a new life, Shane shattered her hopes.

She was nothing but a prop in his romance with Tess. Even the identity he'd given her had been a lie.

...

Holly buried the hurt and forced a smile as she took Hayley and Aaron out to dinner.

Havenport really was a small city. At the Riverside Bistro, a server wheeled 999 roses past their table.

A bright violin melody played, and the restaurant broke into cheers.

"Let's give a warm round of applause for Mr. Lockwood and Ms. Lindell on their sixth wedding anniversary!"

It was Tess again. She stood in the center like a pampered princess while the man, with his back to them, knelt on one knee.

The platinum wedding ring on his left hand stabbed at Holly's eyes. It matched the diamond ring on Tess' finger perfectly, making the knockoff on Holly's hand look even cheaper.

Her ring had been handmade by Shane. He had engraved "Holly" along the ring, saying it stood for "love her wholly".

She had polished that ring like a treasure. How ridiculous she had been!

Holly moved to take Hayley and Aaron somewhere else to eat, but it was too late. Shane's declaration rang through the restaurant.

"Tess, I'll love you forever. You're never leaving me!"

"Shane! Then, you'd better stay right under my heel," Tess said with a playful smile.

"Fine. I'll belong only to you..."

The Blue Heart diamond flashed as it slid onto her finger. Shane kissed the back of her hand and drew her into his arms.

Hayley stared at the spectacle, then caught the look in Holly's eyes and yanked her toward the restroom.

"Holly, was that Shane just now? He's already married? And his wife is my employer?"

Holly's mind was a mess. She lowered her head and told her everything.

Thankfully, Hayley had taken her blood pressure medicine before coming out, though she still shook with anger. "How dare he? I'm going to demand an explanation!"

"Mom!" Holly stopped her. "He's the heir to the Lockwood family. We can't afford to cross him. I just want to get through these ten days and then leave. Please!"

Hayley saw the tears welling in Holly's eyes and the heartbreak written all over her face. She let out a long, deep sigh.

They composed themselves and returned to the table, only to find Aaron gone.

Holly's heart leaped into her throat. She rushed to the staff. "Excuse me, have you seen a little boy?"

"The very cute one? He left with Ms. Lindell."

Holly blinked in disbelief. "What?"

Before that, Tess had run into a lost Aaron in the hallway and asked why he was alone.

Aaron scrunched up his face, on the verge of tears. "I can't find my mom. Can you help me find her?"

Tess took his hand. "Of course. Come to the private room with me, and we'll call her, alright?"

Aaron nodded hard and followed her.

Tess pushed open the door and said excitedly, "Shane, look what I found. This little boy looks exactly like you did when you were a kid."

When Shane saw Aaron's face, his eyes widened in shock. His friends, who knew the truth, fell silent.

Aaron broke the silence by toddling over to Shane and calling out in a bright voice, "Dad!"