Too Late to Hold Her, Too Late to Love Her

When I lost my baby in a car accident, I called Hugo Alistair.

But the one who answered was my eightyearold son.

"Dad took me to tutoring. If it’s nothing important, don’t bother us."

Then, he hung up and blocked me.

I forced myself to call an ambulance, but Ava Sinclair’s latest post appeared on my screen just as I did.

[If I had never left, would I be the one married to you now?]

The picture showed her and Hugo standing under a sky bursting with fireworks.

Hugo’s reply was quiet but firm. [Yes.]

I tapped the like button casually. The next second, the post disappeared.

That night, the system that had been silent for ten years was reactivated.

"Send me home."

"Understood. Official detachment will begin in three days."

——

As the mechanical voice faded, the door swung open.

Hugo stood there, tall, broadshouldered, with sharp, calm features. His white shirt stretched over lean muscles, and his gaze stayed locked on his phone.

"Why did you call me today?" His lips curved in a faint smile, but his attention never wavered from the screen.

"I wanted you to take me to the hospital."

"Oh."

His response was indifferent, absent. He barely seemed to hear me.

It wasn’t until a long silence passed that he finally looked up. His smile faded, replaced by his usual cold expression.

"The hospital? What happened to you?"

I thought of the child I lost, the tiny life that had slipped away.

But the words wouldn’t come out.

Seeing my indifferent expression, Hugo uncharacteristically took the initiative to explain.

"The reply on Facebook… Jasper took my phone and…"

Before he could finish, Ava suddenly rushed in and threw herself into his arms.

"Hugo, my room’s lightbulb is broken. It’s so dark, I’m really scared."

He held her gently, his voice soft with reassurance.

"Don’t be afraid. I’ll change it for you."

He glanced at me, his lips parting as if to explain.

But seeing that, for once, I did not react; he only said, "I’ll be right back."

That right back lasted the entire night.

If it were before, I would have thrown a fit, screamed at him, and demanded answers.

But tonight, I slept soundly without him.

Lying in bed, a dull ache spread through my lower abdomen.

"How could you be so careless? After everything you went through for this child, was it easy?"

The doctor’s scolding still echoed in my ears.

When I gave birth to Jasper, I suffered a massive hemorrhage. Though they saved me, the damage was irreversible. Pregnancy became nearly impossible.

Hugo had always dreamed of having a daughter. Even Jasper kept begging for a little sister.

So, I gritted my teeth and endured multiple rounds of IVF. The sight of that 30centimeter needle was terrifying enough, let alone the agony of it piercing my body over and over again. Only those who have been through it could understand.

I rushed to find him on our wedding anniversary, excitement bubbling in my chest. I couldn’t wait to share the news; I was finally pregnant.

But before I could reach him, a car slammed into mine from behind.

Pain shot through me as warm blood seeped through my dress.

Panic clawed at my throat as I fumbled for my phone, dialing his number with trembling fingers. Desperate. Helpless.

But instead of concern, I heard the sound of laughter. Celebration.

He was at Ava’s birthday party.

And the son I had nearly died to bring into this world, he was covering for them behind my back.

Everything I had done for this family at that moment felt like a cruel joke.

Tears soaked my pillow. Memories from ten years ago resurfaced in my dreams like whispers from a past life.

Back then, I had been terminally ill when the system transported me into this world. My mission was clear: win over Hugo.

At the time, he had lost everything. A devastating car accident had left him paralyzed, his business partner had drained his accounts, and his first love, Ava, had abandoned him without a second thought, fleeing to the UK.

Once a man with limitless potential, he had fallen to rock bottom overnight.

The first time I saw him, he lay in a hospital bed, unshaven, his gaze hollow and lifeless.

Thin to the point of frailty, he looked even worse than I had in the final stages of my late stage of cancer.

For two years, I stayed by his side, tending to his needs, accompanying him through endless treatments, and enduring the weight of his unpredictable moods.

Under my careful devotion, he slowly regained his strength. Not only did he stand on his own again, but he also began rebuilding his career, achieving small successes one step at a time.

Then, one day, he proposed.

The system declared that I had fulfilled my mission. I could return to my original world, healthy, whole, alive.

But I hesitated.

Somewhere along the way, I had fallen in love with Hugo. The thought of leaving him shattered me more than the illness that once consumed me.

In the end, I chose to stay.

For a time, life was sweet. We were deeply in love, inseparable.

When Jasper was born, our little family felt complete.

Hugo was the perfect husband; he handed over all his assets without hesitation, planned romantic surprises to see me smile, and left work early to cook by my side. When I was wheeled into surgery for a Csection, he wept uncontrollably, unable to bear seeing me in pain.

Jasper was just as extraordinary. Even as a child, he was mature beyond his years, a prodigy in every sense. He excelled in Go, programming, and music theory and collected awards like they were mere stepping stones beneath his feet.

But more than anything, father and son adored me. Cherished me. Made me feel like the luckiest woman in the world.

Then, Ava returned.

She found Hugo, her face streaked with tears as she sobbed, claiming she had never truly abandoned him and that she had been powerless. That her parents had threatened their own lives, forcing her to leave.

And just like that, everything changed.

She claimed that she had never forgotten him, even after leaving for the UK. No matter how hard life had been, she had held onto the dream of reuniting with him.

And Hugo softened.

Seeing that she had nowhere to go, he welcomed her into our home without hesitation, discussion, or even looking at me.

Like that, my husband's exgirlfriend walked through our doors as if she belonged.

I could only watch as Ava effortlessly wove herself into our lives, winning over both my husband and son with alarming ease.

Hugo had always had a heavy smoking habit, one we fought over time and time again. But ever since Ava arrived, the scent of cigarettes disappeared as if it had never existed.

Always buried in his studies, Jasper had never spared a moment for household chores. He had never even boiled a pot of noodles for me. Yet now, to impress Ava, he pored over cookbooks like a devoted student.

The love that had once belonged to me alone was now split in two. But worse than that, Ava was given privileges I had never known.

I had done nothing wrong, nothing at all. But in the end, it was simply human nature to grow weary of the old and chase after the new.

If that was the case, then there was no need to hold on.

The moment I decided to sever ties with Hugo and Jasper, a strange sense of relief washed over me, light, unfamiliar, yet liberating.

I barely even noticed when Ava strutted in, arrogance laced in every step.

She had the face of innocence, delicate features, big watery eyes brimming with feigned purity. In her hand, she held a white diamond bracelet.

At the sight of it, my brows instinctively furrowed.

That bracelet had been a gift from my inlaws when I first met them, something I had always kept safe in my dressing table’s jewelry box, rarely taking it out.

Instinctively, my gaze flickered toward the dressing table. Sure enough, the drawer that had been closed was now ajar, and the jewelry box lay empty.

How shameless. Taking something without permission wasn’t borrowing; it was stealing. Did she even understand basic manners as a guest?

Before I could react, Ava suddenly lowered her head, covering her mouth as a soft, amused laugh slipped past her lips.

"Audrey, do you think this bracelet suits me?"

Suppressing the surge of disgust rising in my throat, I extended my hand.

"Whether it suits you or not doesn’t matter. What matters is that it isn’t yours. Return it to me."

But Ava had no intention of giving it back. She twirled the bracelet between her fingers, admiring its luster before, with a slow, deliberate smile, slipping it onto her wrist.

"Audrey, I really love this bracelet. Why don’t you just let me have it?"

My jaw tightened. That bracelet was precious, so valuable that even I had rarely worn it. And yet, here she was, boldly claiming it as her own.

A slow heat rose in my chest, burning with unspoken fury. My voice turned sharp.

"If you like it so much, buy one yourself. It’s not as if it’s a oneofakind piece."

Without waiting for a response, I reached out to take it back.

Sensing my intent, Ava swiftly pulled her arm away, her lips curling into a sneer.

"At your age, this bracelet would only make you look oldfashioned..."

A sharp sound cut through the room.

The bracelet struck the door lock, shattering into several pieces. The crisp, metallic echo rang out as the fragments scattered across the floor.

The noise was loud enough to draw Hugo and Jasper over.

Hugo’s face drained of color the moment his gaze landed on the shattered bracelet. Without so much as a question, his voice lashed out coldly. “Mom gave you this heirloom as a symbol of trust, and yet you couldn’t even take care of it?”

Jasper folded his arms, his tone laced with disapproval. “Mom, you don’t even work, and now you’ve smashed a bracelet worth tens of thousands? At this rate, you’re going to ruin our family.”

He was only five, yet the way he looked at me, filled with nothing but contempt, was like a knife twisting in my chest.

Not a single inquiry. No hesitation. Father and son had already passed judgment, pinning the blame on me without a second thought. My heart sank beneath the weight of disappointment, a feeling I had grown far too accustomed to.

I let out a slow breath, my voice turning icecold. “There were two people in this room. What makes you so sure I was the one who broke it? She stole my bracelet and refused to return it. When I tried to take it back, she shattered it. She should be the one compensating me.”

Just as the last word left my lips, Ava’s eyes welled up with tears.

“I’m sorry… It’s all my fault,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Audrey’s bracelet was just so beautiful; I couldn’t help but admire it. I only tried it on because I couldn’t resist…”

Her tears slipped down like pearls rolling off a broken string, her delicate face painted with remorse.

The moment Hugo saw Ava’s pitiful expression, his entire demeanor shifted. The harshness from earlier vanished as if it had never existed.

With a tenderness I had never once received, he pulled out a handkerchief and gently handed it to her. His voice, now warm and soothing, carried none of the sharpness he had used on me.

“Don’t say that. You deserve everything beautiful in this world.”

Jasper, too, lost his earlier arrogance. He eagerly leaned closer to Ava, his eyes brimming with admiration.

“Aunt Ava, you’re way too kind. It’s just a bracelet. If you like it, my dad can buy you another one.”

Ava’s tears shimmered under the soft glow of their affection. With such gentle reassurance, she finally let a smile break through the sorrow on her face.

She sniffled, her voice trembling. “Don’t worry, I’ll pay it back. I may not be able to afford it now, but if you don’t mind, I can pay in installments.”

Hugo dismissed her words with a chuckle, his tone indulgent. “Don’t say such distant things. Jasper just learned how to make your favorite braised pork. Come try it.”

Father and son encircled Ava like devoted knights escorting their princess, leading her toward the dining room without so much as a glance in my direction.

I stood frozen, watching my husband and son shower another woman with the warmth I had long since been deprived of.

My heart, already numbed by their indifference, felt as if it had been sealed in ice for a thousand years. Any lingering attachment I had to this place shattered into dust.

I glanced at the clock on the wall. Four in the afternoon.

At this hour on any other day, I would have been out buying groceries.

Hugo loved beef, so every day, without fail, I bought a pound of beef shank, slowcooked it until tender, sliced it with precision, and arranged it neatly on a delicate porcelain plate.

Jasper had a taste for sweet and sour dishes, sweet and sour fish, sweet and sour ribs, and squirrel fish; he loved them all.

He despised green onions, ginger, and garlic, so before serving his meals, I meticulously picked out every trace of them.

Father and son were both impossibly particular about their food. To prepare a single meal, I spent over two hours standing in the kitchen, ensuring everything was just right.

But now, I was leaving.

No longer would I exhaust myself catering to their every whim.

For the next two days, I had only one goal: learning how to please myself.

I pushed open the wardrobe door, greeted by a neat row of long, conservative dresses.

Shoving them aside, I reached for an unopened pink gift box hidden at the back, a birthday present I had bought for myself on my thirtieth birthday. Inside lay a strapless, blushpink ball gown with a low waistline, untouched, waiting.

Hugo never liked me wearing revealing clothes. To please him, I had filled my closet with outfits that suffocated me, while the ones I truly loved remained buried at the bottom, forgotten.

The thought alone made my chest tighten.

Tonight, I wasn’t dressing for him.

I slipped into the gown and added a touch of light makeup. The elegant cut accentuated my slender waist, the soft fabric cascading down my frame. My long, fair legs stood out against the delicate hue of the dress.

As I descended the stairs, Hugo’s gaze froze.

"Why are you dressed like that?" His voice was sharp, edged with something he couldn’t quite name.

Ava’s eyes flickered with an unreadable emotion as she studied me, her lips twitching as if suppressing a reaction.

Jasper, however, frowned impatiently. "It’s already late. Why haven’t you made dinner yet? I’m starving."

I met his gaze without a trace of emotion, my voice steady.

"I'm not eating at home tonight. You don’t have to wait for me."

The air in the room shifted. Hugo and Jasper stiffened at my words.

Jasper’s face darkened. "If you don’t cook, what are we supposed to eat?"

Ava let out a light chuckle, her voice dripping with amusement. "Audrey dressed up so beautifully; she must be meeting someone special. We shouldn’t disturb them. As for dinner, I can cook. After all, someone like me doesn’t have anyone to ask me out anyway."

She deliberately emphasized the word "date," her tone soaked in suggestion. As expected, Hugo’s expression darkened instantly.

"It’s late. Dressed like that, who are you going to see?"

I met his gaze, utterly indifferent. "No one. If you don’t believe me, feel free to follow."

With that, I turned and walked out. Behind me, the sharp slam of a cup against the table echoed through the room, but I didn’t so much as flinch.

For once, the evening was mine.

I decided to go shopping.

In the past, whenever I shopped for clothes, I would head straight to the men’s section, first for my husband and then for my son. By the time I was done, the day had already slipped away.

Sometimes, I would spot a dress I liked, but I never had the luxury to stop. There was always something more pressing, always a reason to hurry home and cook for them.

But tonight, they weren’t here.

Tonight, my time belonged to me.

I wandered through the stores, my fingers grazing delicate fabrics, my eyes lingering on dresses I would have once dismissed without a second thought.

I hesitated. It felt unnecessary.

I was leaving soon; I couldn’t take them with me. Buying them only to wear them for a few days felt meaningless.

As I mulled over the thought, I idly scrolled through my phone. A new post caught my eye.

Ava’s latest update.

[Yay! Such a loving little family!]

The picture showed her sitting beside Hugo and Jasper at the dinner table, a warm, intimate glow cast over the elaborate spread before them. Red wine. Scattered rose petals. The perfect scene of a happy home.

Anyone who didn’t know better would think she was the mistress of the house.

Then, my gaze landed on the bottle of red wine.

I knew that bottle.

Hugo had bought it for our wedding. He once told me he’d save it for our golden anniversary.

Yet today, he had opened it early for another woman.

How ironic.

The home I had painstakingly built had become someone else’s prize, a reward for a love I was never a part of.

But I no longer cared.

I would be gone soon. There would be no golden anniversary, no future where I clung to something that was never truly mine.

Smirking, I tapped the like button on the post before turning my attention back to my purchase.

Seven dresses in total, each one chosen purely for myself.

I wasn’t buying them out of spite. No, this was something else.

A realization.

So what if it was wasteful? So what if I couldn’t take them with me?

For once, I would stop thinking about what was practical and simply enjoy the moment.

Once I returned to my original world, frugality would be a necessity again.

But for now, before I leave, why not indulge one last time?

With several shopping bags in hand, I made my way to a restaurant I had longed to visit.

The meal was exquisite, yet a strange restlessness lingered within me as if indulgence alone wasn’t enough.

On a whim, I stepped into a renowned salon nearby. By the time I walked out, my once jetblack hair had transformed into voluminous brown waves, soft and effortlessly elegant. From a distance, I looked like a completely different woman, modern, confident, unshackled.

I had always despised my straight black hair, yet I had kept it for years because that was how Hugo liked it.

Not anymore.

For the first time in forever, I felt like myself again.

As I passed a large glass window, I caught sight of my reflection and couldn’t resist taking a picture. With a quiet smirk, I uploaded it to social media.

Caption: “It’s never too late.”

Slipping my phone into my bag, I strolled home at an unhurried pace, savoring the crisp night air.

By now, I expected everyone to be asleep.

Yet the moment I stepped inside, three pairs of eyes locked onto me.

Hugo’s gaze dragged over me, his expression darkening with each passing second. The air grew heavy, thick with unspoken discontent. His voice, cold and edged with restraint, sent a cold chill through the room.

“Why didn’t you answer your phone?”

I pulled it out absentmindedly. Seventeen missed calls.

“Oh, it was on silent. I didn’t hear it.” My tone was calm, indifferent.

I turned to head upstairs, but before I could take another step, Hugo suddenly seized my arm.

“What’s wrong with you? Why are you dressed like this? And your hair, what kind of proper mother looks like this?”

I let out a cold laugh.

So that was all I amounted to in Hugo’s eyes. Just the mother of his child. Nothing more.

At that moment, Jasper leaped off the couch, his face scrunched up in disgust.

“Mom, you look so ugly now! Like some lowclass thug! Change your hair back right away, or I’ll never let you pick me up from school again!”

I met his gaze, unbothered, my expression unreadable. Seconds stretched between us before I finally spoke.

“Do as you please.”

Jasper’s lips trembled. He hadn’t expected his usual threats to fall flat. The realization sent him into a fullblown tantrum, tears, stomping, wailing.

Ava smiled gently, pulling him into her arms.

“Jasper, don’t cry. If you keep crying, Auntie will feel heartbroken. If you want, I can pick you up from school instead.”

Jasper sniffled, touched by her kindness, and threw himself against her.

“Aunt Ava, you’re the best! I wish you were my mom.”

Then, he turned, glaring at me with resentment.

“Unlike some people, who only care about themselves and completely ignore their responsibilities as a mother. So selfish.”

Hugo’s sharp gaze softened the moment it landed on Ava. His voice, once cold and cutting, turned warm, indulgent.

“I’ve been busy with work and haven’t had time to take care of Jasper. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”

Ava’s cheeks flushed instantly. She lowered her gaze, feigning modesty.

“You’re too kind. If it weren’t for you taking me in, I might be homeless right now.”

A subtle warmth passed between them, an intimacy so blatant it made my stomach turn.

I watched in silence, my expression unreadable, yet a cold detachment settled deep within me.

How ridiculous. I felt like a stranger in my own home.

Could they not have waited a little longer? The wife was still here, yet they carried on as if I had already vanished.

Just a few more days, was that too much to ask?

Saying nothing, I turned and walked toward the bathroom. But the moment I stepped inside, I froze.

My towel. My toothbrush. Both were carelessly discarded behind the toilet tank like trash.

And in their place, rows of unfamiliar feminine hygiene products lined neatly on the counter.

The door swung open, slamming against the wall, and the metal hook at the top struck the back of my head.

A sharp, searing pain exploded through my skull. My vision blurred, stars bursting before my eyes.

“Audrey, could you wait a bit? Let me finish washing these clothes first.”

On the other side, Ava had already started scrubbing soap into her underwear, her movements slow and deliberate. When she caught sight of my pained expression, a flicker of amusement danced in her eyes, barely concealed beneath her feigned innocence.

“Audrey, you’re too careless. Lucky for you, I reacted quickly. Otherwise, you could’ve been seriously hurt.”

With a light remark, she effortlessly shifted all blame away from herself while subtly making me seem at fault.

A slow burn settled in my chest. I gritted my teeth through the pain, stepped forward, and met her gaze headon. My voice was clear, unwavering.

“You bumped into me. Apologize.”

Ava hadn’t expected me to confront her so directly. Her lips trembled, and in the next instant, tears welled up in her eyes, shimmering like a practiced performance.

“Audrey, do you not like me?” she murmured, her voice trembling with grievance. “Why do you always pick on me? If I did something wrong, just tell me. I’ll change. Isn’t that enough?”

I frowned. She was the one who had hurt me, yet somehow, she twisted the moment into one where she was the victim, and I was the aggressor.

I’d had enough. My patience snapped.

“It’s just the two of us here,” I said flatly. “You can drop the act. I’m not buying it.”

Just as the words left my lips, the bathroom door swung open.

Hugo stepped inside, and right behind him, Jasper rushed in. The moment he spotted Ava’s tearstreaked face, he ran to her, standing protectively in front of her like a tiny shield.

“Mom, I won’t let you bully Aunt Ava! You’re a bad woman!”

A bad woman?

For a moment, I thought I’d misheard. My son, the child I had cherished and raised, was looking at me with nothing but hostility.

What did I do wrong?

I was the one who had been hurt, yet even Hugo’s gaze held disappointment as if I were the one truly at fault.

“I understand that you don’t like Ava, but you can’t keep looking for chances to bully her.”

“You’ve changed, Audrey. You weren’t like this before. You used to be so understanding. Look at you now; you’re completely unreasonable.”

Who was the one who changed?

Once, no matter what happened, they stood by my side without question. Now, all they did was blame me, refusing to listen or see. And yet, they dared to say I had changed?

A deep, suffocating sadness crashed over me like a tidal wave, raw and unrelenting. Every breath felt like agony, a dull ache pressing against my chest.

But I swallowed it down. This pain was mine alone to bear.

Without sparing me another glance, Hugo and Jasper turned away, focusing solely on Ava as they carefully led her out.

The moment their figures disappeared through the doorway, a single thought echoed in my mind: just two more days, and I would finally be free.

At the first light of dawn, I slipped out the door.

At the fresh market, I picked out a plump chicken, a softshell turtle, and a bag of highcalcium milk powder, things the elderly needed.

After marriage, my inlaws had always treated me like their own daughter, warm and kind.

Before I left for good, I wanted to see them one last time.

As I stepped through the familiar doorway, my motherinlaw greeted me with a bright smile.

“Audrey, what brings you here on a random day like this?”

I let out a light laugh. “What? Mom, you don’t want to see me?”

She beamed, her face lighting up with joy. “What nonsense! Your dad and I are always looking forward to seeing you. We don’t want to disturb you when you’re busy with work. By the way, where are Hugo and Jasper? Why didn’t they come with you?”

The moment she mentioned my husband and son, the bitterness I had fought so hard to suppress came rushing back, raw and unrelenting. It coiled in my chest, a sharp ache I could barely contain.

Sensing the shift in my expression, my motherinlaw’s brows furrowed with concern. “Did something happen? Are those two giving you trouble? Let me tell you, Audrey, you can’t just let them walk all over you. If they step out of line, don’t hesitate to hit, scold, or teach them a lesson. Don’t hold back.”

My fatherinlaw’s voice rumbled from the kitchen as he busied himself with the ingredients. “Your mom’s right. A man who isn’t disciplined won’t learn. If you can’t bring yourself to do it, just say the word, we’ll handle it for you.”

I hurried to explain, my voice light yet firm. “Mom, Dad, you misunderstood. Hugo treats me well. I just... can’t bear to leave you.”

My motherinlaw waved a hand dismissively. “What kind of talk is that? If you miss us, just visit anytime or call, and your father and I will come see you. It’s that simple.”

I forced a smile, but deep down, I knew the truth.

This would be the last time.

Once I left this world, there would be no more visits, no more phone calls, only silence. The thought lodged in my throat, thick and unbearable. My voice trembled as I asked, “Mom if we could never see each other again... would you and Dad be sad?”

A flicker of panic flashed across her face.

“Sweetheart, why would you ask something like that? Did something happen? Are you... leaving us?”

Before I could answer, approaching footsteps broke the fragile moment.

Hugo stepped inside, Jasper at his side, and Ava walked between them as if she belonged there. The three of them looked almost like a pictureperfect family from a distance.

Hugo’s expression darkened, suspicion clouding his gaze. “Leaving? Who’s leaving?”

My motherinlaw turned, and the moment her eyes landed on Ava, the warmth drained from her face.

“Why did you bring this woman here?”

The air grew thick with tension, the temperature in the room dropping in an instant.

Yet Ava, either oblivious or deliberately ignorant, stepped forward with a practiced smile. “Auntie, I brought you a little something.” She pushed a gift toward my motherinlaw, her expression filled with feigned warmth. “You’re getting older now; you should better care of your health.”

But my motherinlaw barely reacted. She simply pressed her lips together, not even sparing Ava a glance.

Seeing Ava being blatantly ignored, Hugo spoke up in her defense.

“Mom, Ava spent all morning at the mall, carefully picking out this supplement after doing her research. She just wanted you to have something good for your health. Can’t you at least say something nice?”

My motherinlaw scoffed, her voice laced with disdain.

“Hmph. No need. A weasel paying respects to a hen, she’s up to no good.”

Her sharp gaze locked onto Ava. “I know exactly what kind of person she is. I treated her like my own daughter, and what did she do?” Her voice turned cold. “When you were in trouble, she vanished without a word. Left you behind like you were nothing. She’s nothing but an ungrateful wretch.”

Ava lowered her head, her fingers tightening around the hem of her dress. Her voice trembled. “Auntie, I had no choice back then. My mother was sick… I couldn’t go against her wishes…”

“There’s no need for this pitiful act,” my motherinlaw cut in, her tone impatient. “That little trick of yours might work on Hugo, but don’t think it’ll fool me for a second.”

Even someone as shameless as Ava couldn’t bear to stay any longer.

She covered her face, gave a deep bow, then turned and fled, tears streaking down her cheeks.

I barely had time to take in the sight before I caught something else: Hugo’s gaze. The way he watched her retreating figure, the silent worry in his eyes, the flicker of hesitation.

And then, as if something snapped, he stood abruptly.

“Mom, I’ll go check on her. I’ll be right back…”

The words were barely out of his mouth before he was already heading for the door.

But just as he reached the entrance, my motherinlaw, usually composed, uncharacteristically snapped.

“Hugo, stop right there!”

Her voice rang with authority, sharp enough to freeze him in place.

“If you dare step out of this house today, then don’t call me ‘Mom’ anymore. I don’t have a son who forgets his obligations so easily.”

The room fell into suffocating silence.

She took a step forward, her voice trembling with restrained emotion. “Think carefully. When you were bedridden, teetering between life and death, who was the one by your side? Who cared for you day and night?” Her gaze darkened. “Have you already forgotten?”

Her fingers tightened around my hand, her eyes misting with unshed tears.

“You may have forgotten, but I haven’t. Audrey is the greatest benefactor of this family. A person should never forget kindness.”

Her voice grew firmer, her words pressing down like an iron weight.

“If not for your wife, would you even have the success you enjoy today?”

“And yet, you bring your ex into this house so brazenly. Have you ever stopped to consider Audrey’s feelings? If you refuse to cherish her, I will.”

Hugo’s expression wavered. He turned to me, his gaze unreadable, a storm of emotions flickering behind his eyes.

And then, slowly, he sank back into his seat.

My motherinlaw exhaled, her anger melting into guilt as she turned to me, her voice softening.

“Sweetheart, I’m so sorry… for everything you’ve endured.”

I gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. “Mom, don’t say that. I’m fine.”

After dinner, I stayed with her for a while, listening to her familiar voice and cherishing the warmth of her presence. Eventually, she urged us to leave early so we wouldn’t be late for work the next day.

As we stepped out, she leaned in and whispered, her voice laced with quiet determination, “If that vixen dares to pester Hugo again, just tell me. I’ll deal with her myself.”

I nodded, but deep down, I no longer cared.

I didn’t tell her Ava had already moved into our home; I feared it would only infuriate her.

Love was simple. Either it existed, or it didn’t. And once it was gone, no amount of support could make up for the emptiness it left behind.

Still, as I caught sight of the silver strands in her hair, a deep ache settled in my chest. The thought of never seeing her again, never tasting her homecooked meals, filled me with sorrow I couldn’t shake.

Mom, please take care of yourself.

The drive home was cloaked in silence. Hugo focused on the road, his expression unreadable.

From the backseat, Jasper’s face was a storm of barely restrained anger. The moment we got into the car, he snapped.

“Mom, how could you?”

I met his resentful gaze, my voice calm and steady. “How could I what?”

Jasper let out a cold laugh, sharp with accusation. “Stop pretending. You went to Grandma’s behind everyone’s back just to badmouth Aunt Ava. Now that Grandma scolded her and kicked her out, are you satisfied?”

I had to admit my son’s imagination was impressive.

The older he got, the more he resembled Hugo, calm and composed yet carrying an undercurrent of quiet cruelty.

I tilted my head slightly. “And how do you know I spoke ill of your Aunt Ava?”

“Did you hear it with your own ears?”

He rolled his eyes, his voice laced with disdain. “Isn’t it obvious?”

He spoke with such certainty as if I had been born a scheming troublemaker.

I had no idea what I had done to make him see me this way.

At that moment, I felt like a complete failure.

Any explanation would sound like an excuse, so I swallowed my words and chose silence.

A quiet beat passed before Hugo spoke, his voice softer than usual.

“Jasper, don’t talk to your mother like that.”

Jasper’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Dad, did you forget how pitiful Aunt Ava looked when she was crying just now? She didn’t do anything wrong! Why should she be treated like that?”

Hugo let out a slow sigh. “You’re still too young to understand how things work between adults.”

But Jasper refused to back down.

“What don’t I understand? Aunt Ava only left you in the past, right? Everyone makes mistakes. She already came back and admitted she was wrong; what more do you want?”

Everyone makes mistakes.

The words echoed in my mind, a lesson I had once taught him.

When he was four, he had been too busy playing to eat. In his excitement, he knocked over a cup, spilling boiling water across my hand. The pain shot through me instantly. I sucked in a sharp breath, but before I could say anything, he burst into tears.

“I’m sorry, Mommy! Jasper was wrong! Jasper didn’t mean to!”

Despite the burning ache, I pulled him into my arms and soothed him. “Don’t cry, Jasper. Everyone makes mistakes. As long as you realize it and make it right, you’re still a good boy.”

With tearfilled eyes, he had asked me what that meant.

I had told him that mistakes weren’t scary as long as he was willing to learn from them.

He nodded as if he understood.

I thought he had learned the lesson. And he had.

I just never expected him to use it to defend Ava.

After he finished speaking, Hugo didn’t argue. He simply kept driving, his hands steady on the wheel, but his eyes flickered toward me now and then as if trying to read my reaction.

I gave him nothing. My face remained impassive, my gaze fixed straight ahead as if their conversation hadn’t touched me at all.

By the time we arrived home, Ava had already set the table. A feast awaited us, dish after dish, carefully prepared.

Her hair fell loosely over her shoulders, her eyes redrimmed, as if she had been crying.

The moment she saw us, she forced a smile.

"I just made a few simple dishes. I don’t know if they suit your tastes."

My gaze swept over the table.

Every dish was something Jasper and Hugo liked.

Hugo's favorites are spicy diced chicken and boiled pork slices especially.

But I couldn’t eat a single bite.

The doctor had warned me to avoid spicy food after the miscarriage.

Silently, I picked up some vegetables and sipped my soup.

Jasper, unaware, kept piling food onto Ava’s plate. "Aunt Ava, eat more. You’re too thin. You need to nourish yourself."

Ava’s eyes shimmered with emotion, turning red once more.

She picked up a piece of meat glistening with chili oil and placed it into my bowl.

"Audrey, try this. It’s a specialty in my hometown. I made it just for you."

I didn’t touch it. Instead, I calmly continued sipping my cereal.

"Thank you, but I can’t eat spicy food."

The moment those words left my lips, tears spilled down her face.

"Audrey, do you hate me that much?" Her voice trembled, thick with sorrow.

Jasper shot me a sharp glare. "Aunt Ava, you don’t have to lower yourself for her. You don’t owe her anything."

What a wonderful son I had raised, one who knew exactly where to strike to make it hurt the most.

My throat tightened, but I swallowed back the sting, forcing myself to remain composed. Without a word, I set my spoon and fork down.

"You all enjoy. I’ve had enough."

As I pushed my chair back, ready to leave, Hugo’s voice rang out behind me.

"Audrey, eat the spicy chicken. Consider it an apology to Ava."

I froze. My feet felt like they had turned to stone.

Slowly, I turned, meeting his gaze as if seeing a stranger with a familiar face.

"What did you just say?" My voice wavered despite my best efforts.

Perhaps he noticed the way my hands clenched at my sides because he averted his eyes, picking up the plate instead. He dropped a few pieces of spicy chicken into my bowl, his expression unreadable.

His voice, however, was like ice.

"I remember you used to eat spicy food. But now you say you can’t. Why?"

"You always accuse me of not trusting you. But is that really my fault?"

"Or is it just that admitting you’re targeting Ava is too difficult for you?"

I opened my mouth, desperate to explain, to defend myself.

I wasn’t targeting anyone; I had simply lost a child. That was all.

Hugo, I just lost our baby.

The baby you always claimed to long for.

His absence had once shattered me, dragging me into an abyss of grief. But now… now, I was grateful he never came into this world.

Because he wasn’t here, I could leave without looking back.

My gaze dropped to the spicy chicken drenched in glistening red oil.

Before I could react, Jasper, as if running out of patience, grabbed a handful of meat and shoved it into my mouth.

The fiery burn hit instantly. My throat clenched, my eyes stinging as I choked on the overwhelming spice.

Through blurred vision, I caught the flicker of triumph in Ava’s eyes.

Jasper glared at me like I was his greatest enemy. "Mom, I just can’t stand you bullying Aunt Ava. You should get a taste of your own medicine."

I studied my dear son, the boy I had carried, nurtured and loved.

Why had I even given birth to him?

Swallowing back my tears, I met his gaze and spoke slowly, my voice solemn.

"My son, you’re truly filial."

He wasn’t expecting that. His expression faltered. "Mom…"

I forced a bitter smile, turned away, and headed to my room.

The moment I shut the door, I summoned the system. Even it seemed stunned by my misery.

"If I had known it would come to this, I should have just left back then."

Out of pity, it let me choose my exit.

I chose sleeping pills. At least it would be dignified.

The next morning, I awoke to find Hugo already dressed.

He leaned down, just as he always did, to kiss me goodbye.

I turned my head away.

His lips hovered in the air for a moment before he pulled back. Though displeased, he spoke with forced patience.

"Audrey, you used to help me with my tie every morning. Are you too tired lately?"

"Once things settle down, how about we take a trip to Norway to see the aurora as a family?"

Norway? I thought he had long forgotten.

When we first got married, he had promised, personally and earnestly, that he would take me to Norway for our honeymoon. But every time I brought it up, he found an excuse, a reason, a sudden obligation. Eventually, I stopped asking.

Now, after all these years, he was bringing it up on his own. Yet, instead of excitement, all I felt was indifference.

"Today is your birthday. Come home early tonight; I have a gift for you."

He hesitated, looking awkward. "I have an important business dinner. I might be home late."

I let out a soft chuckle, effortlessly exposing his lie. "With Ava, right?"

His eyes dropped. "I promised her I’d spend my 40th birthday with her."

Then, as if realizing how it sounded, he quickly added, "It’s just a meal; nothing else will happen."

I smiled, pretending to believe him. "I trust you. Just don’t forget to open the gift I prepared for you tonight."

"You’ll never forget it."

He pinched my cheek, and for once, I didn’t pull away.

"Love you, wifey."

As Hugo disappeared through the door, I turned and headed to the dining room.

Jasper was already by the door, his backpack slung over one shoulder, ready to leave for school.

Ava stood beside him, her hand in his, the two of them laughing together like the perfect picture of a family.

Then she saw me.

Her fingers slipped from his hand as she straightened, an uneasy smile on her lips. "Audrey, I’m so sorry. Jasper asked me to take him to school. Do you want to do it instead?"

Before I could utter a word, Jasper tightened his grip on her hand and shot me a glare.

"I don’t want you to take me. You don’t deserve to."

His words cut deep, but I met his gaze without hesitation. "Are you sure?"

"I’m sure."

"Alright. Then hear me clearly: I swear, for the rest of my life, I will never take you to school again."

Jasper faltered. He hadn’t expected me to be so resolute. A flicker of uncertainty crossed his face before he threw out a final challenge.

"You better not regret it."

Neither of us backed down. The tension crackled between us until Ava quickly stepped in, her voice dripping with forced lightheartedness.

"Oh, come on! No need to argue like this. Let's just talk things through..."

I didn’t give her the chance. I saw right through her, and this time, I made sure she knew it.

"Stop pretending. Isn’t this exactly what you wanted?"

Her face drained of color. Without another word, she tightened her hold on Jasper’s hand and hurried him away.

Once they left, I sat down for breakfast, though the food tasted like nothing. My mind was elsewhere.

Afterward, I returned to my bedroom, reached under my pillow, and pulled out the sleeping pills.

Ever since Ava moved in, my nights had been endless battles with insomnia, my thoughts gnawing at me until morning. Anxiety coiled around my chest like an iron grip. The doctor had prescribed these pills months ago, and over time, I had collected more than enough.

Crossing the room, I placed my miscarriage diagnosis report on Hugo’s study desk. A quiet statement left for him to find.

Then, without hesitation, I swallowed them all.

Lying down, a strange calmness settled over me as drowsiness took hold. My body felt heavy, the edges of my mind blurring.

Just as darkness began pulling me under, my phone screen lit up.

A message from Ava.

[Guess what? Tonight, is he spending it with you or with me?]

Five seconds later, the message vanished. Deleted.

My fingers slackened, and my phone slipped from my grasp.

My body felt weightless as if I had become a bird soaring through the endless sky, drifting effortlessly without the need to flap my wings.

I had no sense of time. The blinding white around me stretched endlessly, swallowing everything until it didn’t.

Slowly, the emptiness faded, replaced by the familiar neon glow of the city at night.

I was floating. Suspended high above the skyline, looking down at the world I had once called home.

"What’s going on?"

I turned to the system. "Am I not dead yet?"

The response was cold. "Program disengagement in progress. In 12 hours, the host will return to the original world."

Twelve hours.

A bitter sense of helplessness washed over me. Below, the city sprawled in every direction, lights flickering like distant stars. Ten years I had spent in this place, and now, I drifted above it like a ghost with nowhere to go.

Then, movement caught my eye.

Two familiar figures.

Hugo and Ava.

They sat across from each other in a highend restaurant, bathed in the golden glow of candlelight.