Chapter 6

Tears fell one by one onto the phone screen. Andrea touched her face to realize her face was already covered with tears at some point. She had told herself not to be sad since she would be leaving soon. However, these offensive images still pricked her heart, suffocating her with pain.

Outsiders knew Gabriel and Anthony doted on her, but she had also been sincere to them.

Gabriel was wealthy yet lonely. She had always been there when he needed her—celebrating his birthdays, sending him an umbrella on rainy days, waiting for him to come home every night. Every time he felt lonely, she would be there.

Then there was Anthony, who she had endured a difficult labor to bring into this world. She accompanied him to grow up and taught him how to navigate the world. All her love was given to Gabriel and Anthony, but she did not receive the same sincerity in return. Instead, all she received was betrayal.

Andrea could not bear to see the photos and video anymore, so she turned off her phone.

Perhaps because Andrea did not respond for a long time, the impatient Hannah called again. This time, she no longer sounded humble or respectful—all that she said was full of gloating and ridicule.

"Mrs. Fulton, I know you've seen those photos. Over the past year, Mr. Fulton and Mr. Anthony have spent far more time with me than with you. Don't think they still love you. If they did, I wouldn't exist. If you know what's best for you, you should step aside immediately!"

Andrea thought, 'Yeah, if Gabriel and Anthony still loved me, Hannah wouldn't exist.'

Instead of saying anything, Andrea only quietly recorded the call before hanging up.

When Gabriel came in, he found her lying on the bed, her eyes slightly red. He could tell she had been crying. His heart tensed as he rushed over to her and cupped her face to examine it. "Andrea, why are you crying? Did something happen?"

Andrea looked at him silently for a long time. She never realized how good Gabriel's acting skills were. Taking a deep breath, she replied, "Nothing. I just saw some photos and videos that made me feel touched."

Gabriel breathed a sigh of relief and tapped her nose. "What kind of photos and videos could make you cry?"

She picked up her phone and handed it to him. "Do you want to see?"

Gabriel smiled and agreed. He was about to take the phone from her, but the phone in his arms vibrated suddenly. He glanced down at the screen before hesitantly looking up at her. "Andrea, something came up at work. I..."

Andrea pretended not to see Hannah's name on his phone screen. She silently withdrew her phone. "It's okay. Go take care of it. I was about to go to bed anyway."

On the day Andrea was discharged from the hospital, the sky had no clouds, and a gentle breeze blew as sunlight shone through tree leaves. The colorful light spots made it seem like a scene straight from a gorgeous painting.

Anthony held her hand as he bounced down the steps. "Mom, you're finally out of the hospital! You have no idea that I didn't even have time to go to kindergarten these days. I was so worried about you!"

After they got into the car, Gabriel quickly spread a blanket over her legs. "Andrea, it's a bit windy today. Don't catch a cold."

Anthony also mimicked his father, putting a cushion behind her back.

Perhaps noticing her bad mood, Gabriel and Anthony remained unusually quiet during the ride.

Suddenly, Anthony seemed to remember something and tugged on Gabriel's sleeve. He whispered, "Dad, aren't we supposed to go to the Evergreen Church today to fulfill our vow?"

Gabriel took out his phone and glanced at the calendar. "It's today."

Anthony added, "Let's send Mom home first..."

Andrea said, "I'll go fulfill your vow with you."

Andrea, who had been pretending to nap, suddenly opened her eyes and interrupted their conversation.

Gabriel and Anthony immediately rejected her in unison. "No!"

Anthony hugged her. "Mom, you've just recovered. The church is high up on the mountain. I'll worry about you if you come along. Just let me and Dad do it."

Anthony was just a child after all. The sight of her bloodied figure during the car crash had scared him.

Gabriel was also against it. "Anthony is right. You've just recovered. How could you go somewhere so far?"

However, Andrea was unusually insistent. "You prayed for me, so I should also join you in fulfilling the vow."

Unable to dissuade her, Gabriel and Anthony brought her to the Evergreen Church.

The church was far from the bustling city, nestled on top of a mountain. The surroundings were quiet, filled with the faint sound of chanting friars and bells.

A huge cross hung majestically inside the nave, seeming overlooking after all beings.

Andrea sat reverently on a bench, inwardly making her wish. 'Have mercy on me. I wish to never meet Gabriel and Anthony in this life or any other!'

Gabriel and Anthony sat beside her, wishing for the safety and unity of their family.

After the prayers, the family of three walked over to draw lots.

The priest first examined the lots Gabriel and Anthony had drawn and shook his head. However, he only said, "Good luck."

Then, he looked at Andrea's lot and looked meaningfully at her. "You'll get what you want."