He pulled a sleek jewelry box from his pocket and tossed it onto the coffee table.
“Enough. I know you're upset, so drop the passive-aggressive act. I didn't forget our anniversary.”
“It's for you. Anniversary gift. Sara helped me pick it out. She said it would look good on you.”
I opened the box. Inside was a pearl necklace.
Identical to the one he'd given Sara for her birthday in my previous life.
I smiled faintly, picked up the necklace without so much as a glance, and set it aside.
“You don't have to go through the motions for my sake. Tomorrow's Sara's birthday anyway. Save the necklace for her. It'll make a perfect gift.”
His expression darkened：
“How do you know tomorrow is Sara's birthday?”
“I don't just know it's her birthday. I also know you canceled our anniversary dinner reservation and rebooked the most expensive revolving restaurant in the city for her party.”
I looked at him, my voice as flat as if I were commenting on the weather：
“I even ordered the cake for you. Black Forest. Her favorite. Don't bother coming home tonight. I'll just get takeout.”
Oliver froze.
It probably never crossed his mind that the woman who used to cry all night when he forgot their anniversary would one day volunteer to plan another woman's birthday for him.
“Vivian, you……”
I cut him off：
“Don't be touched.”
“I just don't want to fight with you over this anymore. I'm tired.”
I turned and walked into the kitchen.
Behind me, Matthew's voice rang out：
“Daddy, Aunt Sara said she's taking me to Disneyland tomorrow! I finally don't have to stay with bad mommy! Yay, Aunt Sara!”
Oliver quickly clamped a hand over Matthew's mouth：
“Don't say things like that.”
I leaned against the kitchen door and closed my eyes.
It's fine. It's really fine.
A few more days, and I could leave this hell for good.
That afternoon, I spoke with my lawyer about the divorce agreement.
On my way back, I passed Matthew's preschool. I hesitated, then went in.
I wanted to find his teacher and go over the details of his care going forward.
When I reached the classroom door, I saw Sara crouched down, tying Matthew's shoelaces.
Matthew had his arms wrapped around her neck. He kissed her cheek, his little voice soft and sweet：
“Aunt Sara, will you be my mommy? I don't like that bad mommy.”
Sara spotted me and immediately pushed Matthew away：
“Matthew, don't say silly things.”
She stood, walked over to me, and arranged her face into something apologetic.
“Vivian, I'm so sorry. I just happened to be passing by and popped in to check on Matthew.”
“I never taught him to say any of that. Please don't read into it.”
“It's fine.”
I walked over to Matthew and reached for his hand：
“Matthew, Mommy wants to talk to you about something.”
Matthew shoved me so hard I nearly lost my balance：
“No! You're not my mommy! Aunt Sara is my mommy! Go away!”
There was no time to grieve over his words.
My sleeve had ridden up, exposing the jade bracelet on my wrist.
It was the only thing my mother left me before she died. I'd worn it for over a decade, never once taken it off.
But Matthew's eyes lit up, and he grabbed for it：
“That bracelet's so pretty! I'm gonna give it to Aunt Sara!”
I clutched my wrist：
“No! You can't have this!”
“I want it, I want it!”
Matthew screamed and sank his teeth into my hand.
Blood welled up instantly.
Sara hurried over and pulled him away：
