By the time Olivia Smith arrived at the airport in Sylvaria, the night had already deepened into silence, the clock inching past nine.

It was her birthday.

She unlocked her phone and found it flooded with a flurry of birthday wisheswell-meaning messages from friends and colleagues.

Yet, none of them was from Jason Hayes. No call. No text.

Her faint smile faltered, then disappeared entirely.

It was after ten when she finally stepped into the villa.

The housekeeper, Zoe, looked up in wide-eyed surprise as she saw her. "Maam, you... why are you back?"

"Where are Jason and Amy?" Olivias voice was calm, void of any particular hope.

"Mr. Hayes hasnt returned yet. Miss Amys upstairs, playing in her room."

Nonchalantly, Olivia handed her luggage to Zoe.

When she reached her daughters room, she was met with an almost endearing sight. Her little girl sat at her tiny play-table, clad in pink pajamas, diligently threading something together with her small, capable hands.

Her concentration was so complete, she didnt even notice when Olivia entered the room.

"Amy?"

The sound of her mothers voice brought the child out of her bubble. She turned her head, her delicate face lighting up with pure joy. "Mommy!"

And just like that, the moment passed. Amy turned back to her work without further explanation.

Olivia rushed forward to scoop the child into her arms. But her kiss met rejection.

"Mommy, Im busy! Dont smush me!"

It had been two months since she had last seen her daughter. Countless dreams filled with her babys laughter and touch, and yet a mere moment spent in the same room felt like a gift snatched away too soon.

Even as Olivia wanted to keep holding her, to devour all the moments shed missed, she loosened her grip instead.

Her voice softened with unspoken yearning. "Are you making a seashell necklace, sweetheart?"

The mention of her project illuminated Amys face with excitement. "Yep! Theres only one week until Pennys birthday! Daddy and I are making her a present together. Look, Mommy! These shells are all hand-polished by Daddy and me. Are they pretty?"

Olivia's throat tightened, words getting lost in the tangle of unsaid things. Before she could find her footing, Amys delighted voice unravelled another blow.

"Daddy even ordered a custom gift for Penny! Tomorrow"

Olivia's chest constricted, a sharp, visceral ache blossoming beneath her ribs. Without thought or preparation, she asked, "Amy... do you know what day it is today?"

"Huh? What?" Amy barely glanced up, her small fingers fumbling with the colorful beads she was threading. "Mommy, stop distracting me! Now the patterns all messed up."

Olivia released Amy without another word.

She stood there for a long time, but the little one didnt even look up again.

Without a word, Olivia pursed her lips and exited the room.

Downstairs, Zoe stood waiting, her tone overly cautious. "Maam, I got in contact with Mr. Hayes earlier. He mentioned hes tied up with some matters tonight and suggested you rest first."

"Okay." Olivia responded. At the thought of Amy's words, she called Jason.

After several rings, the call was finally connected, but before she could even speak, Jasons voice rang out cold and detached.

"Im busy. Lets talk tomorrow"

"Jason, it's so late. Who is it?" Another voice, distinctly feminine and dangerously intimate, wafted through the receiver. Penelope Garcia

Olivias trembling fingers tightened around the phone as her knuckles turned white.

Jason, however, brushed aside her presence with dismissive ease. "No one important."

Then he ended the call.

It had been about three months since the couple had seen each other. She had made a special effort to come to Sylvaria, and yet he couldnt even find the time to return home to meet her. He didnt even have the patience to let her finish a single phone call.

After so many years of marriage, he was still like thiscold, distant, and impatient.

She was actually used to it by now.

In the past, she would have called him again, patiently asking where he was and whether he could come back.

But today, perhaps because she was too tired, she suddenly didnt have the energy to do it.

When she woke up the next day, she still decided to call Jason after some thought.

There was an about-eighteen-hour time difference between Sylvaria and her home country. Here in Sylvaria, it was now her birthday.

Besides desperately wanting to see her daughter and Jason, another reason she had come to Sylvaria was that she hoped the three of them could share a proper meal together on this special day.

That was her birthday wish this year.

Jason didnt answer her call.

A long time later, he finally sent a text:

[Whats up?]

Olivia: [Do you have time at noon? Shall we have lunch with Amy? Just the three of us?]

[Okay. Pick a place and let me know.]

Olivia: [Okay.]

After that, there was no further word from Jason.

He hadnt remembered that today was her birthday.

Even though Olivia had braced herself for it, she couldnt help but feel a pang of disappointment.

After getting ready, as she was about to head downstairs, she overheard her daughter and Zoe talking.

Miss, arent you happy that your mommy is here?

Dad and I already promised to go to the beach with Penny tomorrow. If Mom suddenly shows up and tags along, itll be so awkward.

And Mom is so meanshes always harsh with Penny

Miss, that's your mother. You shouldnt say thatit would hurt her feelings, understand?

I know, but Dad and I both like Penny more. Why can't Penny be my mom instead?

Olivia couldnt make out what Zoe said after that.

She had taken care of Amy alone. But over the past two years, as her daughter had spent more time with her father, the girl had grown more attached to Jason.

Last year, when Jason came to Sylvaria to expand the market, her daughter insisted on coming along.

Olivia couldnt bear to be apart from her and had hoped her daughter would stay by her side.

But she couldnt bear to see her daughter upset even more, so she agreed.

She never expected things to turn out like this.

Olivia stood frozen in place for a long time, her face pale.

She had put her work on hold to come to Sylvaria, hoping to spend more time with her daughter.

But now, it seemed there was no need for that.

Olivia returned to her room and placed the gifts she had brought from home back into her suitcase.

A while later, Zoe called and said she had taken the child out to play, asking Olivia to contact her if needed.

Sitting on the bed, Olivia felt empty and lost.

She had left her work behind to come here, only to find that no one truly needed her.

Her arrival felt like nothing but a joke.

After a long while, she went out.

She wandered aimlessly through this foreign yet familiar country.

It was nearly noon when she remembered she had made plans with Jason.

Recalling what she had overheard that morning, she was hesitating whether to go home and pick up her daughter when she suddenly received a message from Jason.

[Something came up. Lunch is canceled.]

Olivia wasnt surprised at all.

She was used to it.

In Jasons mind, whether it was work or social gatheringsanything was more important than his wife.

Plans made with her were always canceled on a whim, without any consideration for her feelings.

Did it disappoint her?

Maybe in the past.

But now, she was numbshe couldnt feel anything anymore.

Olivia felt even more lost.

She had come here with so much hope, only to be met with cold indifference from both her husband and her daughter.

Almost without realizing it, she found herself driving to a restaurant she and Jason had visited many times before.

Just as she was about to enter, she spotted Jason, Penelope, and Amelia inside.

Penelope was sitting intimately on the same side of the booth as Amelia.

She chatted with Jason while playfully engaging the little girl.

Amelia, happily swinging her legs, laughed and played along with Penelope, even leaning over to take a bite of a pastry Penelope had already bitten into.

Jason, smiling, served them both food, but his gaze remained fixed on Penelope across the table, as though she were the only one in his world.

So this was what Jason meant by something came up.

And this was the daughter she had carried for ten months and nearly lost her life bringing into the world.

Olivia smiled.

She stood there watching for a long moment.

Then, finally, she turned and walked away.

Back at the villa, Olivia got her divorce papers ready.

He had been the dream of her youth, yet he had never truly loved her.

If it hadnt been for that unexpected night and the pressure from his grandfather, he would never have married her.

She had once naively believed that if she tried hard enough, one day he would finally fall in love with her.

But reality had slapped her hard in the face.

Nearly seven years had passed.

It was time to wake up.

After placing the divorce papers in an envelope, she asked Zoe to give them to Jason.

Then, Olivia wheeled her suitcase to the car and instructed the driver, To the airport.