Chapter 1 It was already past 9:00 pm when Wendy Sanders came out of the police station.
She turned on her phone, and it was instantly flooded with concerned messages from her friends and colleagues.
However, not a single one was from her husband, James Frank.
Her weary expression took on a touch of desolation.
When she opened the door to her home, their housekeeper, Zelda Jade, who was also their sons nanny, froze upon seeing her.
Mrs.
Frank, why are you… Oh, I mean, are you alright? Wendy stared at Zeldas guilty expression and merely pressed her lips together.
Without saying a thing, she made her way upstairs.
As she opened her sons door, she could hear him talking on the phone.
Auntie Jenna, I did exactly what you said! Will the police really lock Mommy up? Ethan Frank gestured animatedly as he chirped, completely unaware that Wendy was standing at the door.
Wendy listened in silence.
It was only then that she realized that, even though Ethan had known that he was allergic to peanuts, he had secretly added crushed peanuts to his lunch and then called the police, accusing Wendy of harming him in order to get her in trouble.
He went to all that trouble just to get Wendy locked up, all so he could celebrate his birthday with his father and his aunt, Jenna Sanders.
When Ethan was finally done chattering with Jenna and turned his head, he saw Wendy standing there.
As his face froze, the shock and displeasure in his eyes became evident.
He blurted out, Why didnt the police lock you up? Wendy felt her throat tighten.
She fought back her sorrow and asked, Do you want me to be locked up that badly? She never knew that the son shed raised with all her heart for five years harbored such hatred for her.
If you let me go out with Daddy and Auntie Jenna for my birthday, I wont have the police take you away, Ethan said with a mockingly generous look.
He added, Mommy, I really dont get it.
You and Auntie Jenna are both Grandma and Grandpas daughters, but why cant you do anything? All you do is go to work and cook.
Youre not elegant at all.
Auntie Jenna is different from you.
Do you know how many people envy me when she takes me out? Shes pretty, stylish, and super gentle.
Even Daddy thinks shes way better than you.
Mommy, can you just go to work and not come to my birthday celebration? Ethan continuously praised Jenna before finally revealing his true intentions.
Wendy felt a crushing weight on her chest.
She asked, So, youre saying its okay for me to be locked up because of your lie? Its not like youll be locked up for long.
Ethan pouted impatiently and complained, Youre not going to lecture me again about this, are you? Auntie Jenna never nags me, even when I do something wrong.

Youre so annoying.
Wendy said nothing more.
She merely stared at Ethan for a long time before leaving his room without a word.
Behind her, Ethans anxious voice rang out.
Youre not going to make a fuss tomorrow and stop us from celebrating, are you? Mommy, if you dare to stop us, Ill never talk to you again! And Ill get the police to take you away! He shouted so loudly that even Zelda heard him as well.
She looked troubled and went over to Wendy.
Mrs.
Frank, Ethans still little.
He doesnt know what hes doing.
Please dont be upset.
Wendy merely hummed in response.
Back in her room, she called James.
She wanted to know whether he knew about this.
The phone rang for a long time before James finally picked up.
His voice was cold as he said, Im in the middle of something important.
Youre James, are you ready? Jennas voice came through.
Wendys grip on her phone tightened.
Alright, I wont bother you anymore.
She hung up before he could say anything else.
In the six years that theyd been married, she hadnt actually spent much time together with James.
He was always busy, flying around the country and abroad, while she had to work irregular hours as a doctor.
Every time she took leave, it was to accommodate James and Ethan.
Yet, at some point, without her noticing, her willingness to accommodate had become a burden to them.
As a matter of fact, James and Ethan began to wish that she wouldnt take time off.
She shouldve realized this sooner.
In the past, she wouldve pressed for answers.
Why was he with Jenna so late? Was everything related to Jenna suddenly an important matter? She wouldve also insisted on finding out whether James had secretly approved of Ethans actions of consuming peanuts.
However, she was just too exhausted that day.

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She had already lost all desire to fight.
… The next morning, she got up, canceled her leave, and went back to work.
Her colleagues were surprised to see her.
Dr.
Sanders, isnt today both your sons and your birthday? Why did you cancel your leave and come to work? Yeah, Dr.
Sanders.
Dont tell me youre skipping the celebration because of what happened yesterday with your son? Another colleague chimed in.
A third person agreed.
Kids can be such troublemakers.
One colleague chuckled wryly.
Last time, my son made me so mad over his homework that I gave him a spanking.
Guess what? He called the police on me! When I got home, I spanked him again.
Her colleagues and the surrounding patients laughed.
Wendy smiled along with them.
How she wished Ethan had just been throwing a tantrum.
Around noon, a colleague asked if she wanted them to bring her something for lunch.
She shook her head.
Ethan might not remember because he was still young, but James would surely remember that today was her birthday as well.
Maybe, just maybe, they were planning a surprise for her.
However, all through her afternoon shift, James never even sent a message.
Not long after, she saw Jennas post on her social media feed, and the last bit of hope in her heart vanished.
At an upscale restaurant, birthday candles illuminated Ethans tender, beautiful little face as he closed his eyes to make a wish.
Ethans voice in the video rang out.
I wish Mommy would never come to my birthdays again.
And I wish Auntie Jenna could always stay with me.
Also, I hope Daddy and Auntie Jenna are always, always happy together! Whatever Ethan was saying in the video, Wendy could no longer hear.
She had raised that child with her own two hands.
Until the second half of this year, James had always been busy.

Then, he began spending time with Ethan all of a sudden.
Within just half a year, Ethan became entirely biased toward James.
She would be lying if she said she wasnt jealous.
But more than that, she had been glad to see them bonding.
She thought James had finally come to his senses and realized the importance of family.
But later, she found out Jenna had returned six months ago, and Ethan had just been an excuse for them to meet more often.
She had raised objections with James more than once, only to be scolded for having impure thoughts.
But was she really the one having impure thoughts? Wendy had never wanted Ethan to be sad.
Even when she suspected James and Jenna were involved, divorce never crossed her mind.
As long as Ethan could grow up in a happy family, she could endure anything.
But now it seemed that she was the one making Ethan unhappy.
Dr.
Sanders, Dr.
Hendrix is asking for you.
One of her colleagues snapped her out of her daze.
She quickly wiped away her tears and headed to the directors office.
Wendy, have you thought this through? Are you really giving up the opportunity to further your studies abroad? It wont be easy to get another chance like this.
Gregory Hendrix sighed.
He added, Youre one of the promising young doctors our hospital is focused on developing.
If you miss this, your chances for future promotions will be slim.
Gregory had been her mentor in university and had always valued her.
He had spoken to her when the notice for this program first came, but for the sake of James and Ethan, she had refused without hesitation.
But now… Ill go, Dr.
Hendrix.
Wendy changed her mind.
Gregory didnt realize at first.
I know youve always prioritized family over work, but… Wait… What did you say? Ill leave on time, one month from now, she said.