Chapter 4
"Ariana is really too much. Easton is sick, and she's still throwing a tantrum? She really doesn't act like a mother at all," Anna said.
Jonathan seemed to realize something. "Anna, you're Easton's real mother. Since Ariana is being difficult, you'll take care of him tonight."
Anna was stunned. "Jonathan, I'm all thumbs with these things, I'm afraid I..."
"You're a mother too. If she could do it, why can't you?" Jonathan interrupted impatiently, a growing unease in his voice.
That night, Anna fumbled through caring for Easton, not getting a wink of sleep.
I, on the other hand, slept peacefully through the night.
10 AM. Jonathan called again. "Ariana, enough with this tantrum.
"You have to be at the birthday party at noon today. Otherwise, Easton will never call you Mom again."
He never called me Mom anyway.
I let out a soft, faint laugh. "Don't worry, I'm getting in the car now."
Two hours later, the hotel party was in full swing.
Jonathan grew increasingly angry as I failed to appear.
Easton was also frowning, clearly upset.
Though exhausted from her sleepless night, Anna perked up immediately, seeing that I had once again displeased the father and son. "Ariana promised to come, and now she's not here?
"With so many business partners present today, isn't this embarrassing for you, Jonathan?"
Jonathan's anger intensified.
Just as his assistant arrived, he coldly commanded, "Find out where Ariana is now! Even if you have to drag her here, get her to this birthday party!"
"Mr. Jensen..." The assistant's voice trembled. "Mrs. Jensen... on her way here, she was in a car accident on the bridge. The car plunged into the river with her inside...
"And... this is a package she sent."
Half an hour later, riverside.
The birthday party was canceled as the three hurried to the accident site.
A rescuer approached Jonathan and Easton. "Sir, are you the victim's family member?"
"Victim?" Easton didn't understand the term.
Though still angry, he politely asked, "Where is Ariana now? My birthday party was canceled because we were looking for her!"
The rescuer, assuming he was just an upset child using his mother's name, sighed and explained, "Little one, your mom won't be able to celebrate birthdays with you anymore."
Easton finally sensed something was wrong. "What do you mean?"
The rescuer's eyes filled with compassion. "Don't be sad, kid. Your mom has just become a star in the sky. She still loves you and will always be watching over you."
Easton stood frozen, wide-eyed and incredulous. "What are you saying? That Ariana is dead?"
Though young, he understood death.
Six months ago, a rabbit they kept at home died because Easton fed it wet lettuce.
He had been heartbroken for a long time.
Never did he imagine I would end up like that rabbit.
Jonathan refused to believe it. "How could Ariana be dead?
"It's only been half an hour! How can you draw conclusions so quickly?"
Anna struggled to contain her satisfaction, forcing out crocodile tears. "Jonathan, I know you're hurting, but they're professionals. They must have evidence to say that."
The rescuer confirmed, "Yes, sir. Surveillance shows your wife's car exploded before losing control and going into the river.
"The chance of survival for anyone inside is less than 0.1%...
"Please accept our condolences."
Jonathan looked up sharply, eyes bloodshot. "If there's any chance at all, you can't make that call!
"I'll hire my own rescue team!"
For three full days...