Chapter 2

Joshua and Terence had a simple yet warm birthday celebration with Jessica.

Originally, Terence had wanted to go all out, but considering Jessica had just recovered from an illness after returning from medical treatment abroad, they kept it low-key. Instead, they pinky-promised to plan a big surprise for her next year.

As night fell, it wasn't until bedtime that Joshua and Terence realized they hadn't heard from Winter all day.

Every evening, she would prepare a herbal soup for Joshua, set the bathwater to the perfect temperature, and light his favorite scented candle.

She would help Terence brush his teeth, feed him warm milk, and even massage his legs to promote growth, ensuring he would grow tall and strong.

But that night, Winter was absent, leaving Gretchen to fill in. She scrambled around like a spinning top being whipped back and forth.

"Gretchen, is this what you call bathwater? Are you sure it's not water to cook me alive?" Joshua, wrapped in a bathrobe, stood tall at the bathroom door with his brows furrowed tightly.

Gretchen panicked. "I'm sorry, Mr. Stroud! I'll fix it right away!"

"Gretchen! The milk is ice-cold and gross!" Dressed in pajamas, Terence stood beside Joshua with his hands on his hips. The resentful looks on their faces were carved from the same mold. "Mom always gives me warm milk!"

Gretchen was sweating bullets. "I-I'll heat it up right now!"

Every time Winter heated milk for Terence, she would measure it with a thermometer, making sure it was the perfect temperature before feeding it to him. Of course, it would taste good. How could Gretchen have the time to do something like that when she had so much on her plate?

Joshua shook his head and went to the living room. He sat on the couch and took a sip of the herbal soup. Then, he scowled and set the bowl down heavily. "Gretchen, what's with this soup? It's too bland."

"Mr. Stroud, the soup you usually drink is prepared by Mrs. Stroud every morning. It's a medicinal blend of over 20 herbs, carefully brewed with precise heat and ingredients. She's the only one with the recipe." Gretchen was on the verge of a breakdown.

She continued, "I tried calling her, but she didn't pick up. I had no choice but to dilute what was left and give it a quick boil…"

"Winter isn't answering her phone?" A dark look crept onto Joshua's handsome face, and his eyes flashed with annoyance.

Terence pouted, grumbling, "How can Mom not be home tonight, Dad? No one does the work when she's gone!"

Joshua grabbed his phone. He was about to call Winter when his secretary, Sean Hall, called first. "Mr. Stroud, there was a fire at the new energy R&D lab. Preliminary estimates put the losses at about five million dollars."

Joshua's expression turned grim. "Is the latest microchip prototype okay?"

"Don't worry, sir. It's fine. I heard an employee risked their life to save it but got injured and was hospitalized. I checked, and they're fine. They've already been discharged."

Joshua's tone was cool as he dusted off his sleeve. "Good."

Sean asked, "Should I find out who it was?"

"That's not necessary. What matters is that the chip is fine." Joshua paused, then said, "Sean."

"Yes, sir?"

Joshua considered asking Sean to track down Winter's whereabouts when he suddenly recalled their unpleasant conversation three days ago.

He disliked having a partner who was suspicious, jealous, and who acted like a resentful housewife. He prided himself on being an upright man, yet Winter still couldn't get over his relationship with Jessica, even after five years.

He'd told her more than once that there was nothing between them. Had there been anything, they would've gotten together long ago. Winter wouldn't even have had the chance to marry him.

However, she still doubted him and was unable to accept Jessica.

Joshua's eyes clouded with irritation. He said coldly, "Handle the fire's aftermath properly. Don't let it cause trouble for Stroud Group."

As for Winter, he was too tired that day to bother about her. She had nowhere to go but her parents' house, and she was hopelessly devoted to him and adored Terence. He was sure she was so spineless that she would come crawling back obediently by the next morning.

Terence was still upset and muttered, "Dad, when will Mom be back? How can she act like this? You should spank her!"

Joshua's expression turned stern as he exuded patriarchal authority. "Terence Stroud, where are your manners as a gentleman? How can you speak so crudely?"

Terence clamped his mouth shut, feeling scared. He was a mischievous little tyrant in front of Winter, but with Joshua, he was a quivering mess.

Just then, his smartwatch rang. The caller ID showed "My Favorite Aunt Jessie".

"Dad, I'm going to my room! Aunt Jessie is calling! She's been reading me bedtime stories every night lately!" Terence waved excitedly.

Joshua nodded. "Go on. Don't stay up too late."

Terence bounced off happily.

…

Meanwhile, Winter was at Crescent Court, a house she'd secretly bought three years ago without telling the Strouds. It was a quiet retreat where she could focus on design and research.

She cleaned her bloodied body in the bathroom before returning to the bedroom and slowly sitting on the bed.

Even though she was only 26 years old, the miscarriage, combined with the toil of giving birth to Terence five years ago, had left her body frail. She'd never fully recovered from childbirth, even after so long.

She checked her phone to see nothing. It was late, yet neither Joshua nor Terence had so much as called to ask why she wasn't home. They didn't bother checking if she was in danger.

Winter's bloodless lips twisted into a bitter smile. It didn't matter anymore.

When she married into the Stroud family, Philip Stroud, Joshua's father, had just been hospitalized. The Stroud family was too preoccupied to plan a proper wedding, and she, ever sensible, had settled for a simple dinner with both families. Even her wedding photos with Joshua had been perfunctory.

Now, she just wanted to end this cold, tomb-like marriage quietly and part with Joshua on good terms.

Just then, her phone buzzed as she received a WhatsApp message.

She tapped it open to see a drafted divorce agreement. Right after it was a message. "It's midnight. Happy birthday, Winnie!"

Winter's eyes reddened, her nose stinging with emotion as she smiled faintly. "Thanks."

"Marriage doesn't guarantee happiness, and a breakup isn't the end of the world. Joshua Stroud doesn't deserve you. Move on—the world is your oyster from now on."

Winter stared at the screen, her tears blurring the words.

…

The following morning, without Winter's care, Joshua and Terence had a chaotic morning. One complained about the shape of his sunny side-up, and the other frowned at the coffee's taste.

"Dad, when is Mom coming home? She's being so weird!" Terence complained noisily with a pout as a maid helped him put on his shoes.

Joshua frowned. "Hurry up. You'll be late for class."

Terence mumbled under his breath, "Mom used to take me to kindergarten every day. Is she not coming today? Is she slacking off?"

Joshua's lips moved slightly. A vague feeling stirred in him, telling him that the day was significant somehow. However, he couldn't place it.

Just then, a soft, delicate voice interrupted his thoughts. "Josh!"