Clara had finally reached her breaking point.

After five years of marriage, she was the envy of everyone in Everton. To the outside world, she was a woman cherished by a powerful husband and blessed with a brilliant, charming son. But Clara lived a different reality. She knew her husband had never truly let go of his first love. Even the son she had nearly died to bring into this world seemed eager to replace her with another mother.

Clara chose to let them go. A husband and a son whose hearts remained like frozen stone, no matter how much warmth she gave—she didn't want them anymore.

The sudden crackle of fireworks outside pulled Clara back to the present. Her fingers brushed against the divorce papers as she picked up a pen and slowly, deliberately, signed her name. It was New Year’s Eve, yet her husband and son were nowhere to be seen.

A message from Arthur popped up on her phone: "I’m tied up with a client. I’ve left Leo with my secretary for a while. After dinner, I’m taking him to see the fireworks. Go to bed early, don’t wait up for us."

Clara’s lips curled into a mocking smile. What kind of "client" was Arthur really with? And who was the person he was actually taking Leo to see the fireworks with? She didn't need to ask, and she didn't need to investigate. She was certain that both father and son were with Mia.

Clara stared at the massive family portrait hanging in the living room. In the photo, Arthur was holding Leo while his other arm was wrapped around her waist. The father and son were captured in a moment of staged affection, one kissing her cheek and the other her forehead. She looked radiant with happiness in the picture, and even the usually stoic Arthur appeared gentle. To any observer, they were the perfect family of three.

But everything had shattered the moment Mia returned.

As another firework exploded outside, her phone vibrated with a video. The footage showed the backs of Arthur and Leo, one tall and one small. On Mia's finger, a diamond ring sparkled with a blinding light as she filmed them.

"Happy New Year!" the three of them shouted in unison.

Arthur turned toward the camera, his eyes filled with a tenderness Clara had never known. He whispered to Mia, "From now on, year after year, I won’t miss this again."

He had never been that gentle with Clara. Even during their most intimate years, on anniversaries or holidays, Arthur would only offer a cold kiss on her forehead followed by a flat, emotionless "thank you."

Clara used to think Arthur was like a rock, impossible to warm up. Only after seeing him with Mia did she realize he was indeed a rock—it was just that he saved the sun-warmed side exclusively for Mia.

Clara closed the video. As the last spark of the fireworks faded, she sent Arthur a single message: "Come home early. We need to visit your parents' graves tomorrow morning."

This would be her final act of duty toward his family. In one month, they would be strangers. This ridiculous, one-sided marriage was finally over.

After an unknown amount of time, the front door finally opened.

Arthur seemed surprised to see Clara still sitting in the living room. He froze for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the untouched, elaborate feast on the dining table, but his face remained expressionless.

"Having to come back to this house on a holiday is such bad luck," a sharp, youthful voice grumbled.

Leo walked in, deliberately kicking his shoes across the floor and stomping his feet with every step.

Clara couldn't help but speak up. "It’s very late. Please keep your voice down."

This only fueled his anger. "You can't tell me what to do!" he shouted. "You Wicked Witch!"

He looked at her right hand and made a face of pure disgust. "Look at the three-fingered Wicked Witch!"

Clara’s right hand instinctively recoiled. The hand, missing the ring and pinky fingers, began to tremble. Even though she had resolved to leave them, the raw malice of her own child still pierced her heart like a blade. For a moment, she felt as though she couldn't breathe.

Throughout the entire exchange, Arthur didn't utter a single word of reprimand. He stood by and allowed the child Clara had risked her life to bear to insult and humiliate her.

Bang!

Leo slammed his bedroom door with violent force.

Only then did Arthur slowly walk further into the room, his voice laced with blame. "Everyone is celebrating tonight. It’s loud everywhere. Who cares about a little noise? You’re making a big deal out of nothing. No wonder Leo doesn't like you."

Clara let out a cynical laugh. "And what if the person living downstairs is like me? Alone on New Year’s Eve and just trying to get some sleep?"

Her words seemed to strike a chord. Arthur looked at the cold dinner on the table, and a brief flash of guilt crossed his face.

She continued coldly, "As for Leo... isn't it because someone is constantly whispering in his ear, teaching him to hate me?"

Arthur stopped in his tracks. The guilt vanished instantly, replaced by a deep frown and a sharp, defensive tone. "Are you talking about Mia?"

"I only came back out of the goodness of my heart to keep you company, and this is how you repay me?"

Looking at his indignant expression, Clara found the situation absurdly tragic. Without a word, she turned away, taking the signed agreement with her as she retreated to the walk-in closet that served as her bedroom.

Leo had forbidden her from staying in any of the actual bedrooms, and Arthur had simply let the boy have his way. This closet, filled only with her own clothes, had become her final sanctuary.

As she closed the door, she heard the sound of plates being swept off the table, crashing and shattering on the floor.

Clara coldly locked the door, choosing to ignore the chaos outside. She would no longer indulge them. After all, there was no reason to show infinite tolerance to strangers.