Through the whole night, Jaxon and Millicent didn't return.
Beatrice kept her eyes open until dawn and still didn't hear their voices.
Early the following morning, while Beatrice was arranging clothes, she noticed the family photo album, and her sorting motions paused.
She turned through it page after page with care, worried about ruining the pictures.
Each of these pictures was like the first half of her life.
When they were attending university, she and Jaxon held hands, smiling happily toward the camera.
When they graduated from university, Jaxon, in a bachelor’s gown, held her close, the smile on his face as if he was hugging the entire world.
At the wedding ceremony, Jaxon, a grown man, even cried in front of many family members and friends because he was marrying her.
When Millicent was born, Jaxon held Beatrice’s hand and said affectionately, “Wife, we will never have another child. I cannot bear to let you be so tired.”
As Beatrice watched, the edges of her eyes slowly grew wet. The kindness from the past was still clear in front of her, making the ugliness of the present feel even more shocking.
The farther she turned in the album, the less often she appeared; the protagonist in the photos slowly became Sienna.
When Jaxon’s business plan succeeded, Sienna stood beside him, closely holding onto him under the guise of brotherly closeness.
At that time, Beatrice objected to how close they were. Jaxon tapped the tip of her nose and said fondly, “Jealous? I just enjoy watching the way you look when you get jealous.”
Beatrice acted upset. Jaxon gently rubbed against her neck. “Beatrice, don’t worry. In my eyes, Sienna is only like a man. I would never possibly like her.”
When Millicent had her birthday, Sienna stood between Jaxon and Millicent. They laughed happily, as if she were Millicent’s real mother.
At that moment, Beatrice kept complaining to Jaxon that Sienna was too involved in their life, but Jaxon slowly grew annoyed. “Sienna is my brother. How many times do you want me to repeat it!?”
Later, Beatrice completely vanished from the album. The woman in the album turned into Sienna, Jaxon’s “brother”, Millicent’s godmother.
Beatrice weakly shut the album, unable to keep looking. She was afraid the hurt in her heart would rip her apart.
Jaxon came back at this time. Surrounded by the sweet heavy smell of women’s perfume, he walked toward Beatrice holding roses.
“Wife, flowers for you.”
Beatrice moved away from Jaxon’s hug. He believed the scent of roses could hide the perfume smell on his body.
But he didn't know that just the night before, Beatrice had smelled that strong rose-style perfume on Sienna.
How could the natural smell of roses hide the specially mixed perfume scent?
Besides, she had never liked roses and was even allergic to roses.
“Why are you suddenly giving me flowers?” Beatrice frowned and didn’t accept the bouquet.
Jaxon said gently, “I saw the flowers looked nice, so I brought them to you. Why are there so many questions?”
The hope that had just appeared in Beatrice instantly turned into dust.
Jaxon didn't remember her birthday; giving flowers was only his way to hide the smell.
“You know, I have always disliked roses, only lilies,” Beatrice said quietly.
“Then, should we go buy lilies together? I was thinking you could sometimes change your preference,” Jaxon said casually.
“Do you want me to change my preference, or do you yourself want to change your preference? Or is it that you want to change people?”
Jaxon froze and suddenly said in anger, “If you don’t like it, then forget it. Is there any need to be this serious?”
Jaxon threw the flowers aside carelessly and walked into the room without turning back.
Beatrice’s phone got a text message. It was birthday wishes sent to her from the mobile official site and the bank.
Besides that, her message inbox was totally empty. Nobody remembered her or cared for her.
She bitterly lifted the corner of her lips, but tears fell one after another onto the phone, wetting the screen.
The phone ringtone suddenly sounded, and Beatrice jerked awake in surprise.
It was Millicent’s teacher calling. As soon as the call connected, the person on the other end anxiously shouted, “Millicent already has a fever of 39 degrees. Why are you still sending her to school?”
