Chapter 6

"Camille invited me to go boating in the park. I told her I was afraid of the water, that I didn't want to go. She went through the trouble of arranging a rescue boat anyway," Lucy replied.

Steven laughed. "What's so special about boating in the park? Someday, I will take you out to sea on a yacht."

Lucy gave a quiet nod.

There was no "someday."

Whatever they had built over the past ten years would come to an end on their wedding anniversary this year.

"I'm tired. I'm going to bed."

"I'll come with you—"

"No need. I haven't been sleeping well. I want to sleep alone in the guest room."

Steven watched her silhouette fade into the distance. A strange unease crept into his chest.

Something about Lucy had changed. She seemed indifferent to everything now, including him.

Even if it was because of her period, she had never acted like this before. Not once.

Was it because of the children? Had she realized something?

Steven took out his phone and dialed a number.

The call connected quickly. A woman's voice came through. "Darling…"

"Marilyn, you're my secretary. Watch your words."

On the other end, Marilyn let out a soft sigh, then corrected herself. "Mr. Cooper."

His voice was cold. "Be more careful from now on. You and the children cannot be exposed yet."

Marilyn's voice trembled as she started crying. "I've been hiding for five years. I never wanted to expose anything."

"If that's true, why did you take the children to see Lucy today? I warned you. She can't see you, and she definitely can't see the children."

"It wasn't me," she said, her voice shaking. "It was the kids. They kept crying to see their father. Steven, I don't care if you don't love me, but Shawn and Sharon—they are your children. They need a father."

Steven fell silent.

When it came to the children, he had nothing to say.

"This is my last warning," he said. "Lucy must never find out about you or the kids. Other than that, I'll give you whatever you need."

"I understand," Marilyn whispered. Then, hesitantly, "Can you spend more time with me? I've followed you for so long, nameless, invisible. It's not just the kids who feel wronged. I do too."

"I'll try." Steven sighed. "Get their things ready. The wind in Maldove is strong. Make sure they don't catch a cold."

"Don't worry. Everything's packed. They're so happy. This year, their daddy will finally spend Children's Day with them."

At the same time, in the master bedroom, Lucy was packing.

Her phone buzzed with a message from Marilyn.

This time, it was a recording.

She tapped it.

The first second, she knew.

It was Steven's voice.

His voice was gentle. He told her to pack the children's things. He was worried about the strong winds in Maldove.

A father's love was as deep as the ocean, huh?

Lucy set down the phone and continued packing.

But the messages didn't stop. They came one after another.

[Steven already agreed. From now on, he'll spend every Children's Day with them.]

[The four of us are going to Maldove together!]

[What are you still holding onto? Do you plan to guard that empty title of 'Mrs. Cooper' until you die?]

[Because of you, the children have grown up without a father. The other kids in kindergarten call them bastards. Can you really bear that?]

The phone kept vibrating.

Lucy switched it off.

When Steven walked in, she had already packed all her clothes, neatly stacked in the corner.

He frowned. "Lucy, why are you packing?"

"You're just in time." She picked up a small, beautifully wrapped box and handed it to him.

Steven smiled. "A gift for me?"

"Yes. Open it on our anniversary."

He shook the box gently. It was small, delicate. "Jewelry?"

"Mhm."

Her wedding ring.

Steven never gave her the ring he promised for their anniversary, but she had one for him.

She was returning it now.

Along with everything else—the years, the love, the sincerity.

Steven was completely oblivious, of course. He looked genuinely happy. "Thank you, honey. After this business trip, our anniversary will be just around the corner. I'll make sure to spend it with you."

Lucy smiled.

She didn't say a word.

By then, the anniversary he would be celebrating would be the news of her death.