Chapter 3

After five years together, it was impossible for Sylvia not to feel any emotional turmoil. But she didn't allow herself to dwell on it for too long. She put away the documents and asked the nurse to call the next patient. After seeing all her patients, it was already noon when Sylvia noticed a message from Caleb sent hours earlier: "Vanessa is an old friend. She just returned to the country and has no one to take care of her. Don't overthink it. Tomorrow is Saturday—I've taken leave. Let's take Hunter to the neighboring city for a day out." Sylvia felt a tightness in her chest. This was Caleb's usual pattern: whenever he knew he had wronged her and Hunter, he would try to make it up to them. Sometimes with gifts, sometimes with trips. Of course, to avoid being seen by acquaintances, they always went to other cities. In the past, Sylvia had been foolish enough to see this as a sign of his love. Now she realized it was just an excuse—a way to placate her and protect his "single" image. She replied: [No, I promised my parents I'd take Hunter to see them tomorrow.] It took a long time for Caleb to respond: [Okay.] But even through the screen, Sylvia could imagine him breathing a sigh of relief. After work, she picked up Hunter, bought groceries, and cooked dinner. Since his offer was rejected, Caleb didn't take leave and flew his shift as usual—he didn't come home. After dinner, Sylvia mentioned the plan to visit her parents the next day. Hunter nodded obediently and asked, "Mom, after we see Grandma and Grandpa, can we go to the amusement park in the afternoon? All the other kids in my class have been." Sylvia's throat tightened, her heart aching. She had asked Caleb many times before to take Hunter to the amusement park, but he always put it off, saying he was busy. She used to worry about Hunter missing out on time with his father. Now she understood: what mattered most was not letting her son miss out on childhood joy altogether. She smiled softly: "Of course we can." The next day, Sylvia took Hunter to her parents' house for lunch. While her father, George, played with Hunter, she told her mother, Margaret, about her plan to take Hunter abroad. All these years, George and Margaret had been unhappy with Caleb for refusing to marry her. Now, seeing that she had finally come to her senses, Margaret wiped away tears and nodded: "Good. Go with peace of mind. If that scoundrel ever has the nerve to ask where you are, your father and I won't tell him a word." Sylvia held Margaret tightly, silent for a long time. In the afternoon, Sylvia took Hunter to the amusement park. Seeing all the rides, Hunter waved his little hands excitedly, happier than ever: "Mom, I want to ride the carousel! I want to go on the bumper cars!" "Okay," Sylvia agreed gently. Noticing an ice cream stall nearby, she asked, "Hunter, do you want ice cream?" Hunter nodded: "Yes! Chocolate, please!" Sylvia walked over and took out her phone to pay: "One chocolate ice cream, please. How much?" Another voice spoke at the same time: "One strawberry ice cream." Sylvia froze, a coldness spreading from her fingertips through her entire body. She turned stiffly and locked eyes with Caleb. He was carrying Vanessa's daughter on his shoulders, with Vanessa standing a few steps away. The atmosphere turned icy. Sylvia tightened her grip on her phone. She was about to confront him when Caleb looked away, took the strawberry ice cream from the vendor, and handed it to the little girl on his shoulders: "Here, Luna's favorite strawberry ice cream." "Thank you, Daddy!" As always, in public, he treated Sylvia like a stranger. Even his own flesh and blood—his son—he pretended not to see. Caleb, Vanessa, Luna—they were the picture of a happy family. The scene even moved the ice cream vendor, who chuckled and said, "Aww, what a happy family you are!" Then he turned to Sylvia: "Your chocolate ice cream is ready. And your husband? He must love you very much too, right?" Caleb's gaze instantly shifted toward her. Sylvia pretended not to notice. She took the ice cream, paid, and gave the vendor a faint, bitter smile: "My husband is dead. I'm a widow—a single mom."