Chapter 3 Wendy was half-asleep when the ringing woke her, her mind blank for a moment.
Once fully awake, she suddenly realized it was 5:30 am.
Time to get up and make breakfast for James and Ethan.
James had a sensitive stomach, and Ethan was a picky eater, so she was the one who made them breakfast every morning.
Sometimes after working a night shift that ended at 6:00 am, even though the hospital would provide breakfast, shed still rush home on an empty stomach just to make sure James and Ethan ate properly.
She did this for six years without fail, but she had forgotten that people could change.
In the beginning, James and Ethan would feel sorry for her.
Theyd give her kisses and hugs, acknowledging her hard work.
Then, they got used to it, and after that, they began to reject and resent her.
They started to prefer fried chicken and hamburgers.
They picked up a taste for sugary drinks and snacks.
Then, they began to despise the food she made.
Truth be told, this alarm was no longer necessary.
She just couldnt bear to let go.
With a bitter smile, Wendy deleted the alarm and turned off her phone to go back to sleep.
… Meanwhile, Ethan was tugging on James arm with excitement.
Daddy, lets go out to eat! I want fried chicken! If we dont leave now, Mommy will come back and make us eat her food again! James knew how much Wendy had done for them over the past six years, but the unchanging routine had also become dull and tiresome to him.
So, he agreed to Ethans request.
At 7:00 am, James wondered why Wendy wasnt home yet.
He assumed that she was working overtime, so he didnt think much of it and took Ethan out.
Zelda ran after them, trying to stop them.
Mr.
Frank, you have a weak stomach, and Ethans health isnt the best.
Its better to eat at home.
Outside food isnt healthy.

Zelda! Dont be annoying like my mom, okay? Ethan hopped into the car and made a face at her.
Careful or Ill get Daddy to fire you! Zeldas reminder was what Wendy would always say.
Ethan believed that Wendy was just being cheap and made up excuses to keep him from going out to eat.
Jenna was the one who told him the truth.
Word of Wendys upcoming overseas study plans spread like wildfire.
Many of her colleagues were surprised.
Wendy was known for being extremely devoted to her family.
So why the sudden change? This program was said to last at least three years.
Could Wendy really bear to be away that long? If they werent mistaken, there was a three-month program before, and Wendy didnt even go to that one.
And now she was choosing to join a three-year one? Her parents, both veteran doctors at the same hospital, soon heard the news too.
They didnt believe Wendy would make such a decision until Wendy confirmed it herself.
Yes, the name list for those who are joining the program has been released.
Ill be leaving in less than a month.
Why? her parents asked.
Wendy lowered her gaze.
Isnt this what both of you always wanted? Mary and Chris were silent for a long while before asking, Did James agree to this? I trust youll make sure he does.
Although… I dont plan to tell him before I leave, Wendy said/ She knew that her parents only cared about whether Jenna and James would end up together.
Now that she had given them their answer, there was nothing else left to say.
She ended the call then set off on her rounds.
Right after she ended the call, Jenna called Mary and Chris to tell them she had successfully gotten the job as James personal assistant.
She also invited them to dinner.
Mary asked, Jenna, have you spoken to your sister recently? She Mom! Im telling you some good news.
Can you not mention such a downer? Ill send you the address.
Dont forget to come tonight! Oh, and invite Wendy too.
In the end, Mary and Chris didnt invite Wendy.
At the restaurant, they saw James and Ethan already there.

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After theyd eaten most of the meal, Chris thought of Wendys three-year trip and started to say, James, do you know that Wendy… Even though they hoped Wendy would allow Jenna and James to be together, they werent sure how James truly felt.
After all, if he really wanted to be with Jenna, divorcing Wendy wouldnt be hard.
Yet, over six months had passed, and he hadnt made a move.
\ Did that mean he didnt want a divorce? If so, Jenna wouldnt be happy even if she did marry him.
They hoped to use the trip to test James stance.
But before Chris could finish, Jenna cut in, Mom, Dad, what were you about to say? Its such a happy day, so lets toast James since hes the one who gave me this job.
She wrapped her arm around James and was being openly affectionate.
Nonetheless, the look she gave Mary and Chris was cold and warning.
They understood what Jenna was trying to tell them and, from the way she and James interacted, if James didnt plan to marry her, he probably wouldnt be so permissive.
Just then, Ethan threw his arms around Jenna and planted a kiss on her cheek.
I want to be with Daddy and Auntie Jenna forever! Mary and Chris pressed their lips together, swallowing their words.
James noticed their hesitation.
You were saying something about Wendy? Mary and Chris quickly snapped out of it.
Oh, its nothing.
Cheers! They should let their children live their own lives, so they were going to stay out of it.
Jenna later sent photos from the dinner to Wendy, taunting her, Whatever I lost, Im taking it all back! Wendy looked at them and simply deleted it.
She found it funny.
James had pretended to pursue her back then just to get close to Jenna, so she was sure Jenna knew this.
Yet, at the time, shed been flirting with another rich heir and missed her chance with James.
So, how was all of this Wendys fault? What are you thinking about? You were spacing out.
Its rare for you to get off work early.
Arent you going to pick up your kid? A colleague leaned over, looking at her curiously.
Dr.
Sanders, youve been a little off lately.
Wendy merely smiled.
After work, she went to the market and bought some fruit and vegetables.

She spotted some fresh peanuts and grabbed a few pounds on impulse.
No one in her family knew she loved peanuts.
As a child, Jenna didnt like them, so their parents never bought any.
After marriage, Ethan was allergic to them, so she never had them at home either.
Now that she lived alone, she could finally eat them again.
While she was roasting the peanuts, her phone rang.
It was a number she hadnt seen in so long that she thought theyd never speak again in this lifetime.
I heard youre coming to further your studies in the middle of next month.
The voice on the other end was cold.
Since youre coming anyway, why were you keeping it from me? Were you too scared to tell me? Wendy lowered her gaze.
I was planning to reach out once I arrived.
The other end fell silent.
Just when Wendy thought he might hang up, the man finally spoke in a distant voice.
Do you remember our bet, Wendy? You lost.
Yeah, I admit defeat, Wendy said.
Right after she said that, the mans breathing grew sharp.
His voice turned harsh and cold as he snapped, You admit defeat? Wendy, how could you admit defeat? What did you promise me back then? Believe it or not, I Is it so bad that I admit defeat? Wendy cut him off.
Isnt there a saying that goes, when love fails, work thrives? Who knows, maybe this time our new drug research will succeed.
I thought youd be thrilled to hear this.
Her voice was light and calm.
He didnt detect the sorrow or reluctance in her voice at all and asked uncertainly, Youve really let go? Wont you regret this? Nope.
She hung up before taking the peanuts out, peeling them one by one and arranging them in a neat pattern.
The nostalgic smell of peanuts filled the room.
It had been so long that it brought her back to the half-year she spent abroad as an exchange student.
That was when they had first met.