Chapter 3

But the moment I opened the door, the pollen filling the courtyard made me cough violently.

The yard was full of roses, and I was allergic to pollen. A suffocating sensation overwhelmed me.

My hands trembled as I reached into my bag for my allergy medication, but Ethan suddenly snatched my bag away.

"Give me... the medicine!"

I gasped for air, but my lungs felt like they couldn't take any in.

My vision blackened as I collapsed on the ground, feeling like my throat was being strangled.

Sophia's face still wore that gentle, innocent smile. "Sorry, Summer. I just mentioned I liked roses. I didn't expect Maxwell to actually prepare them for me."

I coughed violently, barely able to speak.

Ethan took out my allergy medication. I reached for it with trembling hands, but he stepped back. "You have to apologize to Miss Clarke, Dad, and me first. Then I'll give it to you!"

I looked at him in disbelief. I'd always thought that even if this child favored Sophia, at least I'd taught him basic morality.

But now I realized---perhaps the inherited defects of father and son could never be eliminated through education.

A tear slid down my face. I couldn't help but want to laugh bitterly.

To give birth to Ethan, I'd received three rounds of medication to prevent miscarriage, and even had my uterus removed due to a difficult delivery...

I once thought it was all worth it. But now I saw---it wasn't.

At this point, I suddenly felt all arguments had lost their meaning.

"I'm... sorry..."

My nails dug into my palms, but I felt no pain---only relief.

Let this apology be a period, ending everything.

After I struggled to say it, Ethan handed me the medicine. The next moment, he ran to Sophia's side as if seeking praise. "Miss Clarke, I’m a big boy! I protected you!"

I watched his proud expression, my thoughts drifting back to last year's Mother's Day when he gave me flowers and I had an allergic reaction too.

Back then, Maxwell anxiously took me to the hospital, and Ethan stayed by my side, tears dropping onto my arm. "Mom, I'm sorry... From now on, Ethan will be your knight and protect you. I'll never let you see a single flower again!"

But now, looking at the roses blooming in the garden outside, I understood---this family had long ceased to be my family.

In this family of three, there had been no place for me for a long time.

I got up to leave, but Maxwell grabbed me and pulled me back inside.

"Don't run off. You haven't made Ethan's evening calming soup yet. Make his stomach medicine first, then you can go."

I looked at the medicine soaking in cold water, slightly dazed.

Ethan was a premature baby. For his health, I gave him tonics every day.

This calming soup was extremely labor-intensive. It had to be stirred every ten minutes, simmered for four hours total---twenty-four stirs.

The previous housekeeper quit because it was too troublesome. After that, I did everything myself.

Sophia said insincerely, "Summer, let me help you."

But Ethan and Maxwell pulled her back from both sides. "Miss Clarke, don't go. It's really hard to make. I don't want you to suffer."

"Sophia, your hands aren't meant for this kind of work. You and she aren't the same kind of person."

Sophia gave me a playful smile. "Well, I guess I can't help then. Sorry to trouble you, Summer."

So what kind of person am I? So I deserve to suffer like this?

The suppressed emotions finally erupted like a volcano. I grabbed the pot of medicine and dumped it into the sink. Water splashed everywhere as panic flashed in Maxwell's eyes.