There was a long silence on the other end of the line.

"Is Josephine Sorensen there?"

The nurse glanced at me. "Yes, Ms. Sorensen is here. We're just waiting on you, Mr. Gilmore."

He let out a cold laugh, his voice like ice. "How much did Josephine pay you to put on this act? Please do me a favour and tell her to stop with these little games. If she keeps this up, she won't be able to hold onto that precious 'Mrs. Gilmore's title she fought so hard for."

The beeping and ruthless ridicule echoed in the quiet ward.

I took a deep breath and said, "It's okay. I'll handle it alone."

I looked down at the little girl on the hospital bed one last time, kissed her cheek and personally accompanied her to the crematorium.

The moment I received her ashes, my phone rang. It was the cemetery agent.

"Ms. Sorensen, there's a problem! The burial plot you reserved has been taken by someone else!"

"But I already paid for it. How could someone just take it?"

The agent hesitated, clearly distressed. "You've heard of the Gilmores in New York, right? It's for Mr. Gilmore, I couldn't say no. Their family is too powerful."

I carefully placed my daughter's urn down and rushed to the cemetery.

From afar, I saw Selena and her daughter Sadie burying something.

Jacob stood beside them, dressed in all black.

A week ago, the doctors issued a critical condition notice for Jasmine.

He had spoken to me privately several times, urging me to prepare myself that my daughter's life was counting down its final days.

That's why I purchased this burial plot close to home.

After lulling Jasmine to sleep every night, I would come here to arrange her final resting place.

Jasmine loved the color pink and adored Peppa Pig. I draped the area in soft pink tulle and covered it with Peppa Pig stickers.

All that was left was to engrave her name on the tombstone.

However, all of this was destroyed. The pink tulle and Peppa Pig were thrown aside like garbage.

My vision went black with rage. I charged forward.

Jacob looked surprised to see me, but his expression quickly turned cold. "What, getting someone to fake a scene wasn't enough? Now you're stalking me, too?"

"I didn't fake anything and I'm not following you. I'm done chasing after you, Jacob!"

He had never seen me like this before.

I'd always been gentle and obedient and never raised my voice to him.

However, something inside me had shifted.

Jacob was about to speak when Sadie rushed forward and pushed me away.

"You're trying to steal my daddy, aren't you? He's mine! I won't let you take him!"

She stood there with her hands on her hips like a tiny tyrant. "Today is the day we bury Jacky! Don't ruin it, you bad woman!"

Selena quickly pulled her back. "I'm sorry, Josephine. She's just a child. Our family dog passed away unexpectedly and I asked Jacob to come help. Once we're done, I'll ensure he returns to you."

That's when I finally got a clear look at the tombstone behind them.

It read in large, bold characters: Here lies our beloved dog, Jacky. There was even a photo of the dog surrounded by flowers and food.

Meanwhile, my Jasmine was still lying in the cold urn and a dog took her grave away.

I rushed forward like crazy, throwing the flowers and dog food to the ground, ready to tear that tombstone apart.

Why should my daughter suffer indignity even in death?

I must vent my anger for my daughter!

Jacob grabbed me by the arm. "Josephine! Why aren't you at home with your daughter? Why are you making a scene here? I'm just here with Selena to bury a dog! Is this really necessary?"

I shouted, "Do you even know who that grave was for?! I bought it for Jasmine!"

Before I finished speaking, Sadie burst into tears.

Her crying was so loud that it drowned out my voice and attracted Jacob's attention.

"Josephine, come here and apologize!"

"Why should I apologize? It was you who did something wrong!"

Selena grabbed the angry Jacob in time, "Please, let's not fight over this. It's not worth ruining your marriage. I'll take Sadie and leave now."

Selena started to walk away, pulling Sadie along. But as they brushed past me, Sadie suddenly stumbled and fell to the ground.

Selena immediately scooped her up, her voice laced with accusation. "Josephine, we already agreed to leave. Why did you have to push Sadie? Why are you being so cruel to a child?"

Jacob rushed over, panicking and checking Sadie's injuries. "You've gone too far! You'd better hope nothing's wrong with her. Otherwise, I will hold you responsible!"

After saying that, Jacob pushed me away.

I staggered backward, crashing into a nearby tombstone. The sharp edge struck my head and a searing pain shot through me as blood trickled down my forehead.

I slumped against the tombstone, watching with blurry vision as Jacob took Selena and Sadie away without looking back.

I went to the hospital alone, got registered, saw the doctor and had my wound stitched up.

When everything was done and I returned home, it was past midnight.

Jacob didn't come home all night or even ask about me.

I spent the whole night alone, my wound aching.

But the pain in my heart was a thousand times worse, tormenting me endlessly.

The house was full of Jasmine's scent and the traces she left behind.

The pain of losing a daughter is hard to heal. My heart was broken and I tossed and turned all night without sleep.

The next day, I was in a trance and I sat at the dining table with a haggard look, eating breakfast that tasted like chewing wax.

Jacob suddenly returned and noticed the scar on my forehead, "You are injured? When did it happen?"

My tone was cold. "It's already taken care of. No need for Mr. Gilmore to worry."

"Josephine, do you have to talk to me like this? I already apologized to Sadie for you about yesterday. Selena and Sadie have also said they forgive you."

Jacob wanted to say more, but suddenly suppressed his anger and tossed a small package before me.

"I haven't been home much lately. That's why you're acting up, right? Inside is the Elsa princess dress that your daughter loved the most."

He also took out three Disneyland tickets and handed them to me as he spoke. "It just so happens I'm free in a couple of days. When the time comes, you can put this dress on our daughter and we will go to Disneyland together."

Jasmine was already gone. What was the point of him giving these gifts now?

I looked at him quietly, without moving.

I didn't react, so Jacob simply placed the tickets on the table.

He casually said, "Sadie wants to come over to play tomorrow. Take your daughter out. This is Sadie's condition for forgiving you for causing a scene at her beloved puppy's grave yesterday."

When he mentioned the robbed graveyard, I felt so heartbroken that I couldn't help crying again.

He guiltily looked away and continued, "I'm doing this for you and your daughter's sake. Sadie is very jealous and can't stand other children calling me Daddy."

After that, he turned around and left without waiting for me to speak.

It was impossible. I would leave here in a few days.

Before that, I have to deal with all the remaining things.

The next day, I got up early and packed Jasmine's belongings in the room.

Suddenly, there was a loud noise outside.

I was startled and went out to check. I saw Selena playing with Sadie in the living room.

Sadie was jumping up and down on the sofa. This wouldn't have been unusual; children always have a special enthusiasm for bouncy things.

But what she was stepping on was Jasmine's posthumous work.

My daughter had drawn a family portrait, which was being trampled under Sadie's feet.

My mind went blank and I rushed forward, yelling angrily, "Get down! Give me back that drawing!"

Sadie wasn't afraid of me at all. Instead, she laughed. "Why should I give it to you? It's just that little bitch Jasmine Gilmore's worthless drawing. It's not worth anything. What's wrong with me playing with it?"

As if still unsatisfied, Sadie picked up the drawing and tore it in half as she spoke.

She stood there arrogantly with her hands on her hips. "This is what happens when you try to steal my daddy!"

No! This couldn't be happening! My daughter's drawing couldn't be destroyed like this!

I couldn't hold back any longer. I stepped forward and pushed Sadie away, snatching the drawing back into my hands.

The drawing was completely torn apart. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't piece it back together into a complete picture.

Sadie fell to the ground and started wailing.

Selena stepped forward and slapped me. "Josephine, it's just a drawing. Do you have to target Sadie again and again?"

Her eyes passed through my back and Jacob was walking towards me.

She leaned in and whispered, "Sadie isn't wrong. Jasmine Gilmore is just a bastard child without a father! Don't you have any idea how she became Jacob's daughter?"

"You and your daughter are both disgusting trash."

I didn't care what outsiders said about me.

However, Jasmine was already gone. I couldn't let her suffer these vile words any longer!

I clenched my fists and punched Selena, knocking her down.

Selena fell to the ground while holding Sadie, looking at me in shock.

How could one punch be enough? I grabbed her long hair and punched Selena like crazy.

Jacob pulled me away from behind, his voice filled with hysteria. "Are you crazy? How have you become like a shrew?"

Selena threw herself into Jacob's arms, sobbing. "Josephine, Sadie grew up abroad and has a more carefree personality. She didn't mean to ruin Jasmine's drawing. She already apologized to you. Even if you don't accept it, you can't just hit people!"

"Josephine, I told you before to have your daughter keep her things tidy! If she hadn't left her things lying around, Sadie wouldn't have picked them up to play with! You can only blame her!"

Jacob turned around and then helped Selena and Sadie up.

"Sadie, didn't you say you wanted to ride the carousel? Let's go, Daddy will take you now."

I stared at their retreating figures, my mouth filled with bitterness.

Jasmine was five years old and we had never taken a family photo. There was only a family portrait that she imagined.

He had never taken her to an amusement park even once.

It turned out that a high-ranking heir to a famous New York City company could also have a gentle, fatherly side.

I was left alone in the large, quiet living room, repeatedly trying to glue the painting back together.

An entire night passed. I finally managed to barely put the family portrait back together and tidied up my daughter's old toys.

The housemaid held up the Elsa princess dress that Jacob had left behind and asked, "Madam, should we still keep this dress? I remember Miss Jasmine loved Princess Elsa the most."

"Throw it away. We don't need it anymore."

From now on, Jasmine and I would have nothing more to do with Jacob.

I packed up all of my daughter's belongings, leaving behind only a few items for her upcoming memorial service in a couple of days.

Along with my own things, I packed everything into boxes and shipped them to France.

The huge villa was now completely devoid of any trace of my daughter and me.

It was late at night by the time I finished everything.

I looked around the empty villa with satisfaction, then returned to my room to wash up and rest.

My phone vibrated wildly at this time. When I picked up the phone, I heard Jacob report an address.

"Uprising Road. Revolving Restaurant. Fifth floor, VIP room. Come now."

I hesitated momentarily, then got up from bed and headed out.

I remembered I'd once booked my daughter's birthday party at that restaurant.

Her birthday was only a month away. She'd even designed her own invitations ahead of time, waiting eagerly to give one to Jacob when he came home.

But all of that was pointless now. I suppose I should cancel the reservation.

When I opened the private room door, I immediately saw that Sadie wore a crown.

The room was decorated with birthday party decorations and gifts were piled up like a small mountain.

A giant, two-tiered cake sat on the table. The party was in full swing, about to cut the cake.

My appearance brought the celebration to an abrupt halt. Everyone's eyes turned to me.

Selena was nestled in Jacob's arms. Sadie stood in front of the cake, looking at it with excitement.

What a happy family of three.

"What do you want me here for?" I asked.

Jacob pushed Selena away and sat up straight, his expression cold. "You've upset Sadie time and time again. She's just a child, but you've been so petty toward her. Today is her birthday. I asked you here so you can give her a proper apology."

I looked at him and let out a bitter laugh.

Of course, Selena and Sadie planned this whole thing.

He could believe what they said unconditionally without checking.

But Jasmine was his biological daughter and I was his legal wife.

Jacob, you are so cruel!

Tears rolled silently down my cheeks. "Jacob, I didn't deliberately target a child. The only reason I did what I did was because of Jasmine! All these days, aren't you even a little curious why you haven't seen Jas … "

Jacob cut me off. "Josephine, you're the one who did wrong. Don't use Jasmine as an excuse!"

"You're a mother yourself. You should act like one and set a good example for Jasmine."

Watching Jacob's angry expression, I couldn't help but curve my lips into a self-mocking smile.

No matter what I said, he wouldn't believe me.

My explanation would only be seen as a poor excuse in his eyes. Words were so useless at this moment.

Perhaps I should just leave as soon as possible.

Wasn't it just an apology they wanted? I'd give it to them.

I turned and walked step by step towards Sadie, bowing. "I'm sorry. It's all my fault."

I turned my head to look at Jacob. "Is that enough?"

Jacob's heart skipped a beat as he looked at my red eyes. Something was slipping out of his control.

Before he could say anything, Selena spoke up. "Sadie, can you forgive Aunt Josephine?"

Sadie said clearly, "No, she still has to apologize to Mommy!"

I took a deep breath and my clenched hands dug into my palms.

I walked over to Selena and bowed again. "I'm sorry. Is this enough?"

Selena frowned and held her forehead. "The last time you hit me, I bled. A verbal apology isn't enough, don't you think?"

There was a pile of high-proof liquor on the table. I walked over and opened one of the bottles.

"Fine. Then I'll drink all of this. Will that make you happy?"