Chapter 5

When Andrea opened her eyes again, the first thing she saw was a white ceiling, and she smelled the pungent scent of disinfectant.

A nurse pushed a cart into the room to change her bandages. The nurse quickly came over when she saw that Andrea had woken up. "Mrs. Fulton, you're finally awake! You don't know how worried Mr. Fulton and Mr. Anthony were while you were in a coma.

"They not only stayed by your side day and night without sleeping or resting, but they also brought in all the best doctors in the city for consultations. They even went to the Evergreen Church outside the city to pray for your recovery. There are 999 steps. They climbed every single one to the top. It even made the trending list!"

The nurse finished speaking and handed Andrea her phone. In the video, Gabriel and Anthony were climbing the steps toward the mountaintop church.

The Evergreen Church was renowned for answered prayers, so many people often climbed the steps to pray. However, it was unprecedented for a father and son like Gabriel and Anthony to do it together. That was why many people filmed them with their phones.

In the video, they could be heard choking on their words as they prayed for Andrea to wake up. However, Andrea's heart was only filled with mockery as she watched the video.

If Gabriel and Anthony loved her that much, they would not have abandoned her during the car crash to protect Hannah.

The news of Andrea's awakening soon reached Gabriel and Anthony. Without even tending to their injuries, they drove back to the hospital overnight and rushed into her hospital ward, pulling her into their arms.

Andrea witnessed Gabriel losing control once again, but Anthony joined him this time.

Looking at Gabriel and Anthony's red-rimmed eyes and shaking bodies, she was indifferent—all she felt was numbness. She wondered, 'Wouldn't it be great if I had died? They could have had their wish and become a family with Hannah. Wouldn't that be great? Why bother acting in front of me now?'

Gabriel and Anthony cried for a long time and said many things, but she remained unresponsive. When they finally let her go, the calmness on her face and the sarcasm in her eyes stunned them.

Perhaps recalling what happened during the car crash, Gabriel hurriedly explained to her.

The reason they had protected Hannah first was that Andrea and Hannah were dressed similarly that day. It was why they had instinctively mistaken Hannah for her. Gabriel added, "Andrea, I'm sorry. We mistook her for you. It won't happen again."

Anthony chimed in, "Yeah, Mom. I promise I won't mistake Ms. Jennings for you again. Will you forgive us?"

Both Gabriel and Anthony quickly raised their hands and swore.

Andrea only felt exhausted at that instance. They had lied so many times that they believed their lies. She wearily closed her eyes, refusing to listen to any more of their lies. Her outfit and Hannah's that day were two different styles.

More importantly, they called Hannah's name when the truck crashed into them. Andrea thought, 'Gabriel and Anthony, at least try to lie better if you want to trick me. Why can't you even lie properly?'

She said nothing and turned her back to them as she cried.

Gabriel and Anthony assumed she was tired and quietly left the room without continuing on the subject.

Over the next few days, Gabriel and Anthony stayed by her side—perhaps out of guilt or fear. Gabriel did not pick up any of Hannah's calls. The prolonged neglect made Hannah panic, and she began to target Andrea.

Photo after photo was sent to Andrea's phone, and a video was eventually included. Even though Andrea had long known that Gabriel, Anthony, and Hannah had formed their own family, the photos of them together still stung her eyes.

The first photo showed Gabriel lovingly holding Hannah in his arms by a floor-to-ceiling window as fireworks exploded outside, Hannah's neck was covered with hickies.

The second photo was of Anthony sleeping soundly in Hannah's embrace. He gripped the hem of her clothes tightly as if afraid she would leave.

The third photo was a photo of Gabriel, Anthony, and Hannah together at a restaurant. The three of them sat together and were intimate like a family.

The fourth photo showed the three having a snowball fight and building a snowman. All their faces radiated happiness.

...

In the last video. Gabriel and Anthony kissed Hannah on the cheek at a birthday party.

Gabriel said, "Happy birthday, Darling."

Anthony said, "Happy birthday, Mom."