Chapter 7

Terence's brows knitted together tightly when he saw Winter treat him like he didn't exist. She was back? When did she come home? How did he not know?

In the past, the first thing she would do upon returning was search the villa for him, her face lighting up with a gentle smile when she found him. She would hug him and kiss his forehead.

Later, after he grew close to Jessica, he noticed how sad she looked whenever he was affectionate with Winter. Gradually, he distanced himself from Winter, even rejecting her kisses.

Even so, her eyes would still sparkle with joy at the sight of him. Never had she been this indifferent, like now.

"Terry? Are you still there?" Jessica asked.

"Aunt Jessie, let's talk tomorrow, okay?" Terence hung up and shouted, "Mom!"

Winter stopped and glanced back, her expression calm.

Terence hopped off the couch, putting his hands behind his back and walking toward her with a maturity beyond his years. "Why didn't you tell me that you were back?"

Winter was silent for a brief moment. Then, with a voice devoid of emotion, she said, "I didn't want to interrupt your conversation with your Aunt Jessie. Isn't that what you've always wanted?"

Terence pursed his lips. She wasn't wrong. Being able to see Jessica every day and talk freely with her without worrying about Winter's feelings—that was the life he wanted most right now.

But for some reason, with Winter acting so compliant today and so unlike herself, he felt an odd twinge. It was unsettling.

He frowned and asked unhappily, "Mom, are you mad at me and Dad because I'm close to Aunt Jessie?"

His words doused the flames that had once kept Winter's heart going. She smiled wearily and said, "I won't interfere with you and her from now on. In fact, I hope you two get along well forever."

Jessica would be his stepmother in the future, after all.

"Goodnight, Terence. Goodbye." Winter solemnly bid farewell to the son she'd cherished for five years.

As she took a step forward, Terence stopped her seriously. "Mom!"

She halted, her resolve to leave wavering at his call. She thought that even if he hadn't prepared a birthday gift for her, maybe he would wish her a happy birthday. At least she wouldn't have raised him in vain.

But the next second, his words hit her like a bucket of ice-cold water, chilling her to the bone.

"You scared Aunt Jessie at the hospital today and made her cry. I think you should call and apologize to her." When Winter didn't react, Terence's tone hardened. "Mom, don't you always tell me to own up to my mistakes and bravely admit I'm wrong? Why can't you do it yourself?"

"I did say that, but that only applies if I've actually done something wrong. I didn't, so why should I apologize?" Winter's eyes glinted icily. "I think you're the one who should apologize, Terence. Why did you lie in front of everyone today? Why did you frame Richard?"

Terence looked up at Winter's beautiful yet imposing face. His own paled, and he felt uneasy. She was usually mild, but when she became stern, her authority rivaled Joshua's. It scared him a little.

In comparison, Jessica was so much better! No matter what he did, she supported him. She never restricted what he ate.

"I wouldn't have lied if you hadn't made things hard for Aunt Jessie!" He huffed, still defiant. "You don't like me being with her, and you always get upset when you see us together. I'm stuck in the middle, and it's awful!"

"You lied to protect your aunt. There were so many other ways you could've done that, yet you picked the most dishonorable one." Winter looked steadily at him, her gaze cooling. "If you truly want to protect her, you first need to be an upright, honest person. Only then are you worthy of protecting anyone."

She didn't scold him further. By now, her anger from earlier had faded. After all, she probably wouldn't have many chances to educate him anymore. He was the Stroud family's heir, and they would hardly let a "worthless" person like her teach their pride and joy.

Without another word, Winter turned and walked out the door.

Terence watched her march off, dragging that large suitcase behind her. His lips parted as if he wanted to ask where she was going.

Then, he remembered how Joshua had taught him not to show his emotions easily and to be mature. He couldn't be some useless kid who cried for his mother when they were apart.

He turned and walked the opposite way. No matter where she went, she would eventually come back to him and Joshua. She had nowhere else to go, after all!

…

For the next three days, Winter stayed home to recover. She didn't receive a single call from Joshua or Terence.

This was what she wanted. Her life was finally peaceful. She no longer had to run herself ragged with household chores and giving everything she had, only to get nothing in return.

She could finally focus on her academic pursuits and research. She could do what she loved.

"Winnie, have you given the divorce agreement to Joshua?" A man's clear, pleasant voice came through her phone, which she'd placed on the table.

"Yeah. I don't know when he'll sign it, though." Winter tinkered with a car model on the desk. Though it was just a prototype, it already looked sleek and striking. "And I've told you for years to stop calling me Winnie. It's embarrassing. Every time you do, I can't help imagining Pooh Bear waddling through the woods."

The man laughed, his voice warm and indulgent. "Well, I can mimic him for you if you'd like."

Winter snapped parts onto the model, her fingers nimble and graceful. "Forget it. With your clumsy limbs, I'd rather watch one of those inflatable mascots at mall entrances flail in the wind."

The man chuckled, sounding half-exasperated. Then, he sighed in relief. "You're back to your old self, Win. You're sharp-tongued, witty, and playful. It's great."

Winter's fingers faltered. Her lips curved into a faintly bitter smile. To marry Joshua, she'd given up the chance to pursue a PhD at a top global university, her dreams of research, and her social circle. She'd hidden her identity to work as an insignificant employee at Stroud Group. She'd done work that, to her, was a waste of her time.

With her skills and talent, she could've joined the core R&D team. She could've used AI to empower Stroud Group's new energy vehicles and push their products to new heights.

However, Joshua had never given her the chance. Initially, he'd stuck her in the administrative department. It was only after she'd done everything she could and pleaded repeatedly that he'd reluctantly allowed her to transfer to the R&D department.

For two years, she'd worked diligently, enduring workplace bullying most couldn't withstand. She just wanted to stay there, hoping one day to break into the core team.

At the time, Winter had naively thought that if she were compliant and balanced family and work, maybe Joshua would see her worth. Maybe he would change his view of her.

But the reality was that he was blind to anything and everything that had to do with her. Or rather, his eyes only had room for Jessica and no one else.

"You guys are about to get divorced, Win. Does Joshua know your true identity yet?" the man suddenly asked, cutting through Winter's thoughts.