Chapter 2

After confirming that the divorce agreement would be sent to her that afternoon, Elena hung up the phone with red eyes.

She watched as Vincent picked up Rosalind in his arms in the corridor and carefully walked out of the hospital.

Victor, mimicking how she had previously comforted him, went to console Rosalind.

"Aunt Rosalind, it doesn't hurt. I will blow on it for you."

Elena looked at it with a self-torturing air, as if constantly reminding herself.

How ridiculous was the family happiness she thought they had?

But it's okay.

Soon they would be able to become a real family of three.

Soon she would no longer be an obstacle between them.

It wasn't until evening that Vincent arrived in a hurry with Victor.

When they came in, Elena was dealing with her mother's chamber pot.

As soon as Victor entered, he covered his nose and muttered under his breath,

"It smells awful here, I like Rosalind ..."

Vincent immediately stopped Victor from speaking with a look.

Elena looked up and didn't miss Victor's disgusted gesture.

"Victor! Apologize to your mother."

Elena shook her head indifferently.

Vincent leaned down and kissed Elena's forehead soothingly, but Elena instinctively turned away.

He paused only slightly, then immediately and naturally patted her shoulder, gently explaining, "The kindergarten's parent-teacher meeting has been going on until now, which is why we've been delayed."

"Don't worry, I've already consulted the doctor and invited a top international medical team to treat Mom."

"Don't be mad at me, honey. They released a new collection of bags you like. How about I buy them all for you?"

Seemingly to make up for his guilt, Vincent did almost everything himself throughout the night.

Vincent took a wet towel and personally wiped her mother's body, turned her over, and massaged her.

The nurses who came to check on the patients all said, "I've never seen such a good man as Mr. Sinclair. He takes care of his mother-in-law personally and even brought in such a good medical team from abroad. He's both filial and willing to spend money."

That’s true.

He never hesitated to spend money on her, and she used to think it was all out of his affection.

Only now did she realize that this was his guilty conscience and remorse.

It's also the material compensation that allowed him to continue cheating without feeling guilty.

Vincent looked up and saw Elena's pale face, put down the towel and walked over.

He took Elena's hand, then pulled her into his arms and soothed her gently, "Don't be sad, I'm still here for you. I won't let anything happen to Mom."

The warmth of his hands and the gentleness in his voice had never changed.

For so many years, he had always been there for her, a pillar of support.

If she hadn't discovered that stack of receipts this time, if she hadn't witnessed it with her own eyes...

Elena's tears finally fell amidst this torture of reality and memories.

Seeing her cry, Vincent hurriedly and tenderly wiped away her tears with his hands.

He kissed her cheek tenderly and gently coaxed her, "Don't cry, honey. I'm here. I'll always be there for you."

"Victor, Mom is crying, what should you do?"

Victor, who was playing games by the door, reluctantly moved over, wrinkled his nose, stuffed a tissue into her hand, and then quickly walked away.

Elena pretended not to notice his reluctance.

After calming down a bit, she took out a document.

“My mother is old. The doctor said that although she survived this time, she will need another half month for recovery.”

"I'm thinking of buying a house for Mom nearby."

Just as Vincent was about to open the document, he was interrupted by the sudden ringing of the telephone.

It's a pop song, but Vincent only ever listened to classical symphonies in concert halls.

Elena still remembered that she had played this song on the car stereo before, but Vincent frowned and said it was tacky.

“Is this a work phone?”

Vincent subconsciously turned off the screen and calmly hummed in agreement.

He was so anxious that he didn't even look at the document before opening the last page and quickly signing it.

"You can make these decisions yourself, so you don't need to tell me next time."

"Honey, I have a meeting at the company that I need to go to. The driver will take you home. Take good care of Mom. Call me if you need anything."

As soon as he finished speaking, he took Victor's hand and hurriedly left.

After he left, Elena came to her senses and replied with a “fine”.

If it weren't for that phone call, he could have seen the contents of the document clearly.

But he didn't even have that much patience now.

Perhaps, this was the ending that Vincent chose for their relationship.

Elena stood up and subconsciously walked to the window.

Downstairs, next to a familiar car, stood a figure in a white dress.

Victor happily rushed over and hugged her.

Vincent picked her up and gently placed her in the car.

The car sped away.

In the following days, Vincent did not come to the hospital again.

After her mother's condition stabilized, Elena took the divorce agreement to the City Hall to complete the formalities.

She would be able to get her divorce certificate in a month.

She received a call from Victor on her way back to the hospital.

"Mom, how much longer are you going to stay in the hospital? Aren't you going to take care of the family? Aren't you going to take care of me?"

"The nanny's cooking doesn't suit my taste, and the bedtime stories aren't nice either. Please come back soon."

Vincent then chimed in, "Elena, come home. Victor and I need you very much."

I need you, not that I miss you.

Elena thought with a hint of irony.

"I want to take care of my mom, and I want to take her with me when I go home."

Vincent paused for a moment, then said, "It's safer for Mom to stay in the hospital. I've hired several caregivers to take turns looking after her."

"Victor will not be used to having another person in the family."

Elena had long understood that they didn't want her to bring her mother home, as they looked down on her family's poverty.

But after carrying Victor for ten months and watching him grow up, she couldn't completely harden her heart.

She still went home.

But when she opened the door, she saw an uninvited guest—

Rosalind, dressed in her pajamas, sat on the carpet playing games with Victor, while Vincent read the newspaper on the side, occasionally chiming in with a few words.

They looked like a real family of three.

Elena stood outside the door, as if she were the outsider in this house.

Upon hearing the sound, Vincent immediately stood up and came over to take the bag from her hand.

"Elena, you're finally back."

He casually pointed to Rosalind and introduced her, "This is Rosalind, the tutor I hired for Victor. She will be staying at home for the next few days."