After simply bandaging my wounds, I carefully placed my son’s photo into the drawer with trembling hands. I forced myself to calm down. There were still many things I needed to do.
I watched as all the business contacts and cooperation resources I had spent years building were packed into a single compressed file and saved in my private cloud space. I really wanted to see what Dustin’s face would look like when he had to deal with everything on his own.
Five years ago, after the car accident, Dustin said he had lost his memory and forgotten everything.
But he still remembered my birthday.
I once believed that meant he loved me deeply.
Later, I found out my birthday was the same as Giselle’s.
After that, every birthday gift I received was either a free item that came with the luxury goods he bought for her or something she no longer wanted.
At the time, I was still deeply moved by these small gestures. I poured all my heart and effort into helping Dustin rebuild his company.
Once a month, without fail, he would leave for what he called “recovery treatment for accident aftereffects.”
I never questioned it. Not until the day I saw a folder on his computer titled [Love of My Life, Soul Salvation.]
Inside were sweet photos of the two of them, taken in sixty-six different places around the world.
Only then did I understand how foolish I had been.
But now, all of that was over.
After returning home, I packed my luggage and booked a seven-day luxury cruise for myself.
What I didn’t expect was to meet Dustin and Giselle on that same cruise.
When Dustin saw me, a brief look of discomfort flashed across his face.
“Faye, I brought Giselle to meet some clients, so she can help you with work later.”
I raised my wine glass and took a small sip, saying nothing. I didn’t expose the lie.
The matching brooches on their chests were proof enough. Only guests who had spent money on this cruise line eighteen times within three years could receive that VIP symbol.
More importantly, the person who needed to work hard from now on was no longer me.
“Mom, the captain said the cheese ham we had last time isn’t available today. We agreed to come back next week.”
A clear, cheerful child’s voice reached my ears.
For a moment, I felt dazed. My Noah used to call me “Mom” too, but his voice was never this bright.
He always asked carefully, almost timidly, “Mom… Dad didn’t take me to the amusement park again this time. Does he hate me?”
Back then, I always made excuses for Dustin. I lied to myself, telling myself he was just busy.
Now I finally understood. He had also placed his hatred for me onto my innocent child.
Noah, dear, I owe you too much.
I turned to leave, but a pair of small hands suddenly wrapped around my legs. I looked down and saw a little boy who looked somewhat like Giselle.
Was this… Dustin and Giselle’s child?
Giselle quickly pulled the boy behind her. “Jonah, Mommy is here. Do you want to invite her to have dinner with us?”
I looked into the boy’s innocent eyes and nodded. Perhaps because he shared Dustin’s blood, I couldn’t help searching for Noah’s shadow in him.
But I soon realized I was wrong.
Once we sat down at the restaurant, Jonah loudly demanded a chocolate fountain. The waiter gently explained that the sea was rough and hot chocolate could be dangerous.
Jonah waved his small hand and tried to scratch the waiter’s face.
“Who do you think you are? You’re just a servant. My parents are rich. I can have whatever I want.”
That moment woke me completely. My Noah would never behave like this.
Just as I was about to stand up and leave, the boy suddenly screamed and rushed toward me. At the same time, the ship rocked violently with the waves. I lost my balance and hit my head against the railing.
Jonah crashed into my arms and pushed forward. From the angle of others watching, it looked as if I was about to push him into the sea.
Giselle rushed over like a madwoman and shoved me hard.
“I know you can’t swim. Now you can reunite in hell with your beloved son.”
As I fell, I saw Dustin reaching out. His fingertips barely missed my hand.
The next second, I lost consciousness in the cold seawater.
