After eight years as a stand-in, I let go first

Samantha calmly looked at Harry and Joseph, who were standing at the entrance of the ward. "It's only natural for me to leave this place since we're divorcing. I want a fresh start."

Harry and Joseph exchanged a look. Disbelief was written all over their faces.

"Stop causing trouble, Mommy." Joseph frowned impatiently. "Aren't you doing all of this just to catch our attention?"

Harry looked at her coldly. "You should know when to stop."

Not bothered enough to explain herself to them, Samantha said in a disinterested tone, "It's up to you if you want to believe me or not."

It was obvious they didn't believe her.

Harry ordered, "Apologize to Lydia."

She raised her head to look at him. "I didn't do anything wrong. Why should I apologize to her?"

Harry's glare turned icy. "You made her fall into the water. Don't you feel any remorse?"

Samantha started chuckling suddenly, her eyes reddening. "Will you take Lydia's side forever? Have you ever considered my feelings?"

"Of course!" Joseph answered without hesitation. "Ms. Yeager is wise, gentle, and kind. How can a housewife like you, who spends all day in the kitchen, ever compare to her?"

His young face was filled with disdain. "No matter what happens, it must certainly be your fault!"

Harry added coldly, "You behave suspiciously all the time, and you don't respect Lydia. You won't admit it when you've done something wrong. You have no manners at all." He pinned her with a hateful stare. "A mother like you will only lead a child down the wrong path."

He grabbed Joseph's hand and led him away after he was done speaking. Before they disappeared from her sight, Joseph turned his head to glare at her. "You'd better apologize to Ms. Yeager quickly!" he demanded.

The door slammed shut behind them.

As Samantha sat on the bed, she felt like she couldn't breathe. It was as if there was a heavy weight pressing down on her chest. However, she didn't shed any tears this time. She looked at the sun shining brightly outside the window and smiled.

Since they were so fond of Lydia, Samantha would let her take up the position of Harry's wife and Joseph's mother. She wasn't going to lift another finger for them.

…

Samantha's wounds eventually recovered during her stay in the hospital. No one dropped by to visit her, but she had gotten used to it a long time ago.

Coincidentally, the day she was discharged from the hospital was also her birthday. She stood at the entrance of the hospital and savored the feeling of the sun on her face. It was warm but not blinding.

She suddenly recalled how in her past life, although she had yearned for it for 50 years, Harry and Joseph never once remembered her birthday. Sometimes, she would excitedly prepare a feast for herself, but they would either return home late or not return at all.

Even when she called them and asked them to come home, they would just carelessly have a few bites. They wouldn't even bother wishing her "Happy Birthday".

Samantha had stopped expecting anything from them in this life. She dropped by a bakery and bought a small butter cake for herself. She stuck a few candles in it before closing her eyes in the empty villa. "I'm going to live for myself in this life," she murmured.

The moment she blew the candles out, the villa's door swung open.

"Mrs. Wright, Mr. Wright asked me to pick you up."

Samantha lifted her head to see Rosalia Finch, Harry's secretary, standing in the doorway. She looked like she was just smiling out of formality.

"Pick me up?" She frowned. "For what reason?"

Rosalia's smile was unchanging. "It's your birthday today. Mr. Wright and Mr. Joseph have prepared a surprise for you."

Samantha was stunned before she scoffed. "You must have made a mistake."

"I didn't," Rosalia said determinedly. "Today is May 20th, which is also your birthday. Mr. Wright made special note of this."

Samantha stared at Rosalia for a few seconds. She couldn't help but think that the situation was ridiculous. There was no way that Harry remembered her birthday.

But Rosalia sounded so confident in herself. She even reached out to help Samantha up to her feet. "The car is waiting, Mrs. Wright. You shouldn't make Mr. Wright wait too long."

Using the excuse that they were running out of time, Rosalia dragged Samantha into the car. It eventually stopped in front of the grand hall of a high-class hotel.

Samantha was stunned when she pushed open the doors to the hall.