Chapter 1

On the third anniversary of our son's death, Alexander Shaw didn't come home.

Instead, I saw his photo with that innocent-looking starlet, Rosalie Lee, on TV.

This time, I truly didn't want to fight anymore.

The moment I returned from the cemetery, I sent him a message:

"Alexander, let's get a divorce!"

I sent the message at 3 PM, and he came home at 9 PM.

Alexander saw me sitting at our son's old desk. His tone was cold, "Aria, what madness are you up to now?"

Madness?

Yes, I've been a wreck since our son died.

At the funeral, I slapped him three times, demanding he bring back our child.

He yelled at me with red eyes, "You lunatic! You're the one who killed our son!"

"Why didn't you watch him properly?"

At that moment, I remembered - it was me. I left Henry by the pool, and when I returned, only his lifeless body was floating on the surface.

A video of me attacking Alexander at the funeral home went viral.

From then on, the name "Mrs. Shaw" was followed by whispers of "that unstable woman."

Alexander found me embarrassing. He's barely been home these past three years.

If I wanted to see him, I could only catch glimpses in gossip columns.

This situation was different, though.

I stood up and handed him the divorce papers. "I'm not crazy. I'm just... done."

"Mom said if I can't control you, I should let someone else do it. She's ready to find a replacement for you."

Alexander scoffed, tearing up the divorce agreement in seconds.

"Aria, forget it. Even if you die, you'll die as part of the Shaw family."

I wasn't surprised. I just reminded him, "Don't be late for the visit to your parents' house tomorrow."

Then I returned the chair to its original position and went to the bedroom.

Since Henry passed, Alexander and I have slept in separate rooms.

The bedsheets seemed to still hold our child's scent. I inhaled deeply, sitting there motionless. Then I realized - the sheets had been changed. The baby powder smell was gone.

When Alexander came in, he saw me like this and couldn't help but mock me: "Remembering the past? What's the point of fooling yourself?"

"Today is our child's death anniversary, Alexander. You commemorated it with tabloid gossip. How classy."

Hearing this, Alexander's face immediately paled.

We both knew how to hit each other's weak spots. Clearly, this time, I had hurt him.

He loosened his tie and surprisingly lay down beside me.

I was about to push him away when Alexander muttered, "I didn't forget. I just got held up."

"Rosalie's son had a sudden heart attack. I had to go."

"That's a life at stake too."

I didn't respond. Rosalie Lee, the new innocent starlet launched by the entertainment company.

She debuted with a pure image, but somehow ended up with a child.

A single mother raising a kid, independent and strong - just the type to catch Alexander's eye.

Since then, whenever the child was sick, Alexander would contact specialists.

If she had family issues, Alexander would smooth things over. When her career hit obstacles, of course, Alexander would be there to protect her.

During these three years that I've been labeled "unstable," Rosalie has apparently been poised to replace me as Mrs. Shaw.

But now? Alexander doesn't want a divorce. How ironic!

I covered myself with the blanket without saying a word. Soon, Alexander's phone rang. I could faintly hear Rosalie's sobs. He immediately sprang up and stormed out, slamming the door.

I heard the car start in the driveway. Not long after, I received a message from Rosalie:

"Alexander won't be coming back tonight, Mrs. Shaw. Please don't call him. It's too late and inconvenient."

The photo showed Alexander's profile as he cradled a boy to sleep. His usually sharp features were softened by a rare tenderness, making my eyes sting.

I took a deep breath and sent her the recording of him refusing the divorce.

Rosalie quickly went silent.

Why bother?

I just want to leave. Alexander, you shouldn't have stopped me. I really might go mad.