Chapter 7

The mere mention of her son's name made Sylvia's heart ache so fiercely she could barely breathe. "No need," Sylvia took a deep breath. "You're busy. It's not like we'll never see each other again. He's being very good." Caleb's hand clenched, an impulse to pull her into his arms surging within him. But remembering they were on a public street, he held back. "Alright. Take good care of Hunter." He then turned and went back into the bridal shop. Sylvia still didn't look back. She walked forward, toward a place without Caleb, with long, determined strides. Back at the hospital, Sylvia formally completed her resignation. Her colleagues knew about her recent loss. Besides offering comfort and expressing their reluctance to see her go, there was little else to say. Sylvia remained detached from it all. With 5 days left on the countdown, she took Hunter's photo to the seaside. "Hunter, do you see it? This is the ocean you wanted to see. Endless, vast, and beautiful...... I'm sorry, Mommy should have brought you here sooner." 4 days left: Sylvia took Hunter's photo hiking in the mountains. 3 days left: She set off fireworks at night with his photo. 2 days left: She went camping by the lake with his photo. Gazing at the night sky, she walked step by step toward the lake, feeling an inexplicable urge to jump in. Suddenly, a butterfly appeared from nowhere and landed on Sylvia's collar. She froze, suddenly recalling a time long ago when Hunter was curled in her arms watching a movie. When a character died, Hunter asked, "Mommy, will you die too?" Sylvia nodded. "Everyone dies, but Mommy won't die until a long, long time from now. Not until Hunter grows up and can stand on his own. Only then would Mommy be willing to leave." Hunter was reluctant. "But what if I miss you?" Sylvia stroked his head, answering after a long pause, "If Hunter misses Mommy, Mommy will come back as a butterfly to see you. Look for the butterfly that lands on you—that will be me." Hunter hugged her tight. "Okay, I'll remember." Now, Sylvia looked at the butterfly on her collar, her voice trembling. "Hunter...... is that you?" The butterfly gently fluttered its wings, as if in response. Silent tears streamed down Sylvia's face. For a long time, the butterfly didn't leave. Sylvia thought of something and whispered, "Hunter, Mommy will be happy." Only then did the butterfly stir lightly and fly away. Sylvia watched it go, wiped her tears, and smiled softly. "Hunter, you must be happy too." Back in the tent, Sylvia picked up her phone and saw Vanessa had posted an update. The photo showed a brand new diamond ring on her finger. The caption read: [Happily Ever After.] The key detail was the background—Sylvia instantly recognized the villa she had lived in for five years. No wonder Caleb hadn't let her return these past days. New occupants had moved in. She gave a faint, bitter smile, deciding to ignore it. Just then, Caleb called. He immediately questioned her: "Sylvia, where is Hunter? I asked all the nurses. None of them have a record of Hunter being hospitalized." Hearing his accusatory tone, Sylvia found it almost laughable. "You're at the hospital?" Ten days after Hunter's burial, the father finally remembered to check on his son. But their last meeting had been at the amusement park. And because no one knew he was Hunter's father, the doctors and nurses wouldn't tell him the truth. Caleb paused. "Of course I'm at the hospital. Where else would I be?" Sylvia's tone was flat. "I thought you were at home with Vanessa and Luna. They both have heart conditions. Don't you need to be with them constantly?" Her cold tone made Caleb's heart skip a beat. "How do you know—" Sylvia said nothing. A strange feeling rose in Caleb. In the past, if Sylvia knew others were in their home, she would have been furious and confronted him. Why was she so calm now? But he hesitated only a moment before explaining, "Don't overthink it. Vanessa's pipes are being repaired. I'm just letting her and Luna stay temporarily." Even without facing him, Sylvia found the lie pathetic. But none of it mattered to her anymore. "Mm, I don't mind." Caleb seemed to feel the need to add something. "You and Hunter just wait three more days. You're staying at your parents', right? In three days, Vanessa and Luna will move out. I'll come pick you up myself." Before he finished, another call came in. Caleb said, "Vanessa's calling me. I have to go. You and Hunter wait for me." He hung up. Looking at the dark screen, Sylvia's lips curled in scorn. Caleb, she thought, you will never reach us again. She would board a flight to Boston, USA, tomorrow and never return. Lying in the tent, she scrolled through her chat history with Caleb. She hadn't noticed before, but now she saw the chat box was mostly filled with her own monologues. Sylvia let out a light laugh, not feeling much sadness. After a pause, she decisively blocked and deleted all of Caleb's contact information. A farewell must be clean. She didn't sleep all night. Sylvia sat by the lake until daybreak, then got up and left. She took a car to the airport, passed through security, and at 7 AM sharp, she boarded the flight to the US. Gazing at the blue sky and white clouds outside the window, she touched Hunter's photo. "Hunter, we're about to start a new life......" As soon as the words left her mouth, the plane broke through the clouds, and dazzling sunlight immediately flooded the cabin. Sylvia squinted. In a daze, she seemed to hear Hunter's voice. "As long as I'm with Mommy, I'm happy!" Tears welled in Sylvia's eyes as she whispered, "Mommy too. As long as I'm with Hunter, Mommy is happy." Every day from now on would be new and beautiful. Mommy would live happily, carrying Hunter's wishes with her.