That night, I slept in the baby’s room while Victor stayed in Vanessa Bright’s.
On the first night after signing the divorce papers, we silently completed our separation.
In the following days, I finalized the divorce procedures and sorted out my shares and assets.
Victor still spent time with Ethan and me each day, but at night, he would return to Vanessa Bright’s bed.
He held Ethan, patting her back to burp her while talking to himself, “Once she gets better, we’ll take a family photo.”
“How about we take one every year from now on?”
I forced a smile. Not a great idea—I'm leaving tomorrow.
Victor, there is no future for us.
The night before I left, I took Ethan to the master bedroom.
Now, the only trace of me left in this house was the wedding photo on the wall.
“Sister, are you still awake?”
The familiar scent of roses drifted in. I tensed. “What are you doing here?”
Vanessa Bright stepped in holding a lit aromatherapy candle. “Victor gave me a set of these today. The scent is Albizzia—he thought you’d like it since I don’t.”
My hands quietly clenched into fists.
In the past, Victor gave me everything I liked.
When did I become someone who only got leftovers from Vanessa Bright?
Vanessa Bright smiled, but her expression was wicked. “Do you know what happened to the Albizzia tree in the garden?”
I shook my head. It didn’t matter—it had already made way for their ‘love tree.’
“Burned to ashes,” she whispered like a demon. “I saw Victor set fire to it himself.”
I told myself it didn’t matter. But my heart still ached.
Seeing that I didn’t react, Vanessa Bright dropped her smile. She stared at me for a while, then flicked her hand.
The candle hit the curtain—and flames erupted.
“What are you doing?”
She shut the door behind her, madness flashing in her eyes. “Tell me, who do you think Victor will save?”
Then she twisted her face into horror and shoved me hard.
“Claire! What are you doing?! Victor, help me!”
The flames rushed toward us. I turned my back on them, shielding Ethan.
Pain tore through me instantly.
“Ah…” I gritted my teeth and rolled on the floor to douse the flames. The pain drained all my strength.
Smoke thickened fast. Victor kicked the door open and saw Vanessa Bright first.
“Vanessa! Get up!”
“My legs… Victor, they hurt so much!” she sobbed.
“Come here, I’ve got you!”
“Victor…” I rasped, “Please… help me, and take Ethan…”
“Claire!” He finally saw me, and froze when he noticed my burned back.
“Don’t be afraid! I’ll take you to the hospital—there won’t be a scar!”
“Cough, cough… Victor…”
Vanessa Bright’s coughing jolted him.
He pulled his hand back from mine.
“There’s too much smoke. Vanessa’s throat can’t take it, Claire…”
“Victor!” I used the last of my strength to grab his hand. “Take Ethan out first! Please!”
“Victor… cough… cough…”
The panic in his eyes turned to resolve.
He yanked his hand away and turned around without hesitation.
“Claire, hang on! I’ll call someone to come get you!”
“Victor!”
The flames rose like a wall, drawing a hard line between us.
Vanessa Bright’s throat mattered more than my life or our child’s.
I should’ve known.
Clutching Ethan close, I whispered through tears, “I’m sorry, sweetheart… I failed you again.”
Just as all hope faded, the window shattered.
A tall figure stepped through the flames.
“Midnight,” the ferryman said, reaching a hand toward me. “Looks like I arrived just in time.”
From the helicopter, I watched the fire devour the wedding photo.
Now, every last trace of me in that house was gone.
Victor, we will never meet again.
