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?"

My eyes drifted toward Jacob, who had been silent the whole time.

He was just sitting under the dim light and I couldn't make out his expression.

The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Selena and Sadie were both staring at me intently.

Suddenly, memories from the past came flooding back.

A year ago, I coaxed Jasmine to sleep at night and received a call from Jacob.

The caller was not Jacob himself but his assistant, who asked me to rush to a high-end restaurant immediately.

I thought Jacob was just drunk and asked me to take him home, but I didn't expect that I would be forced to join the drinking party at that time after opening the door of the room.

Jacob was already drunk then, but the guests at the party were unwilling to let him go.

I couldn't force Jacob away; otherwise, the Gilmores' industry would be affected and the consequences would be disastrous.

So, for his sake, even though I had a severe alcohol allergy, I readily agreed to their request.

I picked up the whiskey, tilted my head back and drained it in one gulp.

That night, I took Jacob home and ended up in the hospital because of it.

The next morning, I rarely saw Jacob looking so worried about me.

When he found that I had woken up, his face suddenly became gloomy, "Josephine, even if you hadn't come, I would have found a way to get out unscathed! You knew you were allergic to alcohol. Why did you risk your life?"

"Jacob, I married you and am part of the Gilmores. I'm willing to share these burdens with you."

From that day on, all the liquor bottles in the house disappeared.

Jacob stayed home for a month and his attitude towards Jasmine and me improved significantly.

I thought this would be the beginning of our improved relationship.

Thinking of this, I laughed at myself and tried to hold back my tears.

I lifted my head and finished the entire bottle of white liquor in one go.

"Just one bottle isn't enough to show my sincerity in apologizing. I'll punish myself with three more!"

I picked up another bottle of liquor and started pouring it into my mouth.

The fiery liquid burned down my throat, irritating my stomach.

When one bottle was empty, I reached for another, but Jacob grabbed my hand.

His face was dark as he shouted, "Enough!"

"Is that enough? Has your childhood sweetheart, Miss Jones, forgiven me? Is my apology over?"

His face grew even darker. "I only told you to apologize properly, not to throw your life away! Josephine, you know how much influence the Gilmores have in New York. As Mrs. Gilmore, if word gets out that you keep acting like this, how will you show your face again?"

"And what about your daughter? How can you take care of her if you don't even care about yourself? You're being completely irresponsible!"

At the mention of Jasmine, a sharp pain stabbed through my heart. "She doesn't need me to take care of her anymore."

I yanked my arm free and stormed out.

After walking a few steps, I felt dizzy and fell to the ground and fainted.

Jacob rushed forward and picked me up, but Selena stopped him after only a few steps.

Selena held an unconscious Sadie in her arms. "Jacob, Sadie suddenly fainted."

Jacob turned around and paused. His face was full of hesitation.

After a moment, he turned back toward the door, still holding me in his arms. His voice was cold. "I'm taking Josephine to the hospital. I'll have my assistant look after Sadie."

When I woke up again, I was lying in a hospital bed. The sharp smell of disinfectant filled my nose.

Jacob handed me a glass of water when he saw me awake.

"Thanks, Mr. Gilmore. I appreciate you taking care of me, but I can manage independently now. You can leave."

"Josephine, must you talk to me like that? I brought you here myself and stayed all night. What more do you want from me?"

What did I want? I didn't want anything anymore.

The past ten years were the best youth of my life, but I wasted them all on Jacob.

Now that Jasmine was gone, I just wanted to be myself again.

"If you are okay, leave the hospital immediately! Go home and take care of your daughter; don't let her stay alone for too long!"

"You deliberately drank yourself into the hospital just to cause trouble, leaving your daughter alone at home. You are truly disgraceful! If I'd known you were not only ruthless but also heartless enough to abandon your own child, I never would've married a vicious woman like you."

I took a deep breath. "Jacob, I'll say it one last time, Jasmine is already … "

Suddenly, Selena rushed in in a panic and interrupted me.

"Jacob, something happened! Sadie has acute leukemia and needs a blood transfusion!"

Jacob helped Selena sit on the chair and poured her a glass of water.

"Selena, tell me slowly. What happened?"

Selena cried, looking pitiful. "Last night, Sadie fainted at the birthday party and was sent to the hospital for examination. It was diagnosed with acute leukemia. Now she is in critical condition and needs a blood transfusion."

"Then I'll find a famous doctor in New York City immediately!"

Selena shook her head. "Sadie has Rh-negative blood. The hospital's blood bank is running out! It won't arrive in time if we transfer blood from elsewhere. The doctor said she only has two hours left."

Selena buried her face in her hands as she spoke and broke down completely.

Right before me, Jacob pulled her into his arms and gently comforted her. "Sadie will be fine, I promise. Don't worry too much."

"But where can we find someone to donate blood now? And it has to be Rh-negative."

Jacob turned his face towards me, his voice cold as ice. "Jasmine and Sadie have the same blood type. Bring Jasmine here immediately for a blood transfusion."

I let out a cold laugh. "Jacob, Jasmine is dead! Dead people can't donate blood!"

"This is a matter of life and death! Are you really cursing your own daughter just to cause trouble? Josephine, are you even human?"

Selena peeked out from Jacob's embrace, her voice weak but pleading. "Josephine, I won't compete with you for Jacob anymore! Please save Sadie."

Then she pushed away from Jacob and dropped to her knees with a loud thud. "Sadie is my life! I can't live without her! Josephine, I'm begging you, save her!"

"Jasmine is really gone."

I reached into my pocket, pulled out Jasmine's death certificate and threw it at Jacob's face. "If you still don't believe me, take a good look yourself!"

Jacob picked up the thin paper.

After just one look, his pupils shrank and his breath choked.

His hands trembled so violently that he couldn't hold the light paper. His face turned ashen, filled with shock and disbelief.

"This … when did this happen? Why didn't you tell me?" His voice was hoarse.

I showed a bitter smile.

I have told you many times. It's you who don't believe it every time.

But what was the point of saying any of this now? Jasmine would never come back.

Selena's voice rang out again as I was about to speak.

Her voice was filled with sorrow yet tinged with a hint of helplessness. "Josephine, you're even using such tricks to deceive Jacob to avoid saving Sadie!"

Jacob's face changed instantly. He turned to Selena. "You mean … this certificate is fake?"

Selena pointed to the blank space on the death certificate. "Of course. Look here; such an important document wouldn't be without an official seal. Jacob, don't be fooled by her again."

Relief washed over Jacob and he glared at me with renewed fury.

"Josephine, you're unbelievable! This is your last chance. Bring Jasmine here to donate blood, or I won't hold back!"

I started laughing, tears streaming down my face.

Was this the damn price I paid for being a lovesick fool? Even after my daughter's death, she and I still couldn't rest in peace.

"Haha! Jacob, Jasmine is really dead! If you want to find her, then go die yourself! Maybe you'll catch her on the other side!"

Slap! Jacob slapped me furiously.

"Fine! Since you're so stubborn, don't blame me for what comes next!"

He raised his hand and two bodyguards immediately appeared. "Take her away for a blood transfusion! She's also Rh-negative!"

"No! I don't want to!"

I struggled with all my strength, but how could I fight off two towering bodyguards?

Without another word, they dragged me out of the ward and into the blood donation ward.