It was the weekend when my husband's ex-wife showed up early in the morning, just as I was making soup for Mollie.

"Mom, you're here!"

Melanie's eyes curved into a smile as she threw herself into Tiara's arms.

Since Tiara reappeared in their lives a year ago, Mollie hasn't been as close to me as she once was.

"Missed Mommy so much? What about Daddy?"

David came down from upstairs, his voice full of affection.

"But I see Daddy every day! Mommy, only twice a week."

"I wish I could see Mommy every day-no, I wish Mommy and Daddy could live together again."

The mother and daughter held each other tightly, while David stood nearby with a soft smile, watching them quietly. The sunrise bathed their faces in light, painting a warm picture.

I stood like an outsider, unable to see David's eyes but understanding his emotions clearly.

A wave of bitterness welled up inside me, and I felt my eyes sting. I set a bowl of soup on the table.

"Come eat, Mollie. Once you're done, you can go play with Mommy."

Tiara, a famous celebrity, often came over this past year, always well-disguised, claiming she wanted to make up for not being there during Mollie's childhood. Today, they had already planned to go out together.

Mollie reluctantly sat at the table, nibbling at everything except the bowl of soup I had placed beside her.

I reminded her not to eat too much or she'd feel unwell and told her to finish the soup.

Mollie had a sensitive stomach since childhood, and I had worked hard to regulate her diet. So I was stricter with her when it came to food.

Pretending it was an accident, Mollie spilled the soup on the table. I didn't call her out, but brought the pot over to refill her bowl.

"Don't spill it this time..."

Before I could finish, Mollie flung her hand, tipping over the pot. The hot liquid splashed all over me and scalded Mollie's arm.

She burst into tears, instantly drawing the attention of the other two.

"Waaah~ I don't want to eat it! Why do you always make me eat such disgusting things? You're not my mom."

"I hate you! I hate you! Why do I have to call you 'Mom' when I already have my own? I only want one mom!"

Mollie's words stunned me for a moment. The child I had raised with care for five years was saying this to me.

But seeing her red, swollen arm, I immediately picked her up and rushed to rinse the burn.

Tiara ran over, pushing me aside.

"Oh my god, baby, let Mommy see."

"How could it be so red? Mommy will take you to the hospital!"

She shot me a vicious glare, cradling her child as she headed for the door.

"Out of the way, you can't even handle this!"

I hit the corner of the table with my back, wincing in pain, though no one noticed.

David rushed over to Mollie, his brow furrowed with worry.

He followed Tiara and Mollie to the door, then suddenly remembered me.

Feeling wronged, but knowing how much Mollie meant to David, I said quietly, "It wasn't on purpose."

Tears welled up in my eyes, and David sighed.

"Never mind. Take care of yourself."

His gaze conveyed disappointment. After loving David for so many years, I could understand the emotions behind every one of his actions.

The door closed, and my tears fell.

Even during the toughest times of building our business together, my feelings for David had never wavered. But over the past year, I started to question myself.

Was staying by David's side for all these years still meaningful?

The soup seeped through my thin clothes, burning my skin.

By the time I cleaned up, my skin was covered in blisters.

I sat alone in the living room, from daytime until evening.

When David returned, he didn't bring Mollie back. It seemed she had been taken to Tiara's place.

"Is Mollie okay?" I asked.

"She's fine. The doctor said it's just a minor burn. I sent you a message-did you not see it?"

"As long as she's okay."

I didn't respond to his question. I looked at the man sitting next to me.

"David, let's get a divorce."

In some ways, I'm a stubborn person.

When it comes to academics or work, I'm willing to pay any price for a result, as long as I believe it's worth it.

I never regret any decision and am always clear on what price I'm willing to pay in any situation.

But with David, I've realized I'm no longer carefree. I've started to care about why he can't see my efforts. I compare how he treats me versus his ex-wife. I'm jealous of the restrained gaze he gives her every time.

"What did you say?"

David's hand shook, spilling water all over the table.

"I said, let's get a divorce."

I repeated myself, but David didn't hear me.

He grabbed a cloth to clean up the mess, looking busy.

"Did something happen today? Are you too tired?"

"Let me clean this up, and we'll rest early."

He reached for my arm to take me back to the bedroom.

But when he touched my injured arm, I winced in pain.

"What happened?"

Concern filled his eyes as he lifted my sleeve, revealing the red, swollen skin. He finally remembered how disheveled I looked that morning.

"This is serious. Why didn't you say anything?"

"Let's go to the hospital-this needs more than just ointment."

I watched David hurriedly drop what he was holding, carefully dressing me so as not to hurt my wounds. Somehow, I found myself getting into the car with him.