Seven Years of Sacrifices

I staggered back a few steps, wanting to say something, but my body could no longer hold on. Darkness swallowed me as I collapsed.

I didn’t know how much time had passed when the sound of arguing jolted me awake.

It was Cassian and his grandfather, their voices loud and filled with anger.

As I opened my eyes, I realized I was back in the hospital.

Seeing me awake, Cassian let out a breath of relief, but his face remained dark with displeasure.

He shot a glare at his grandfather.

“Is this the ‘good wife’ you picked for me? Not even out of her postpartum recovery and she’s already sneaking off to meet some pretty boy?”

Thomas trembled with fury. “A date? Do you even know where Leona went yesterday?”

"Grandpa." I interrupted Thomas before he could say more.

"It's all in the past."

He understood my meaning and said no more, though his expression was filled with disappointment as he looked at Cassian.

Cassian, unconcerned, waved a hand dismissively.

"She’s awake now, so there's nothing for me to do here. Tessa is still waiting for me. I’m leaving."

Thomas struck him with his cane. "You ungrateful beast! I don't care where you go today, but tomorrow, you must come back to my house with Leona…"

Before he could finish, Cassian had already disappeared through the door.

Thomas let out a long sigh, his back hunched even more than before. He handed me a divorce agreement, already signed.

"Leona, it's my failure for not raising him right. But that child is still your own flesh and blood. I hope… I hope you can send him off one last time."

I looked at Thomas, his hair completely white. In the end, I couldn't bring myself to refuse.

The next morning, dressed in black, I arrived at the Harland Family’s ancestral home.

I had risked my life to bring this child into the world. But in the end, I never even got the chance to hold him before we were separated forever.

I gently wiped away the tears at the corner of my eyes.

Perhaps this was for the best.

At least without any attachments, leaving would be easier.

I had given my all in this marriage. Now that I was walking away, all I felt was exhaustion, no regrets.

Cassian never showed up, not even when the child was laid to rest. Instead, I saw him on the trending news, trying on wedding attire with Tessa.

Not long after, Tessa proudly sent me a message.

[So what if you gave birth? In the end, Cassian still chose me. Oh, by the way, did you think Cassian was taking care of you while you were unconscious? Actually, he was with me the whole time. We were right next to your hospital room, trying out all sorts of new positions.]

In the video she sent, my pale and lifeless face starkly contrasted with her own, glowing with satisfaction.

I didn’t reply.

Silently, I forwarded all the messages and videos to Thomas. Then, I removed the wedding ring from my finger.

Hugging my grandmother’s ashes, I whispered softly, “Grandma, let’s go home.”

***

Night had already fallen when Cassian finally returned to the Harland Family’s ancestral home, reeking of alcohol.

As soon as he pushed the door open, he was startled by the sight before him.

The entire hall was filled with funeral wreaths.

"Who died? Was it Leona’s grandmother?"

Panic flickered across his drunken face as he stood there, utterly shaken.

"Why didn’t anyone tell me earlier? Where’s Leona? She must be devastated. I need to be with her!"

Cassian’s voice carried a rare trace of urgency as he staggered forward.

But before he could take another step, Thomas, who had finally reached his breaking point, hurled the divorce papers straight at his face.

"Leona has already left with her grandmother’s ashes. And today is your son’s seventh-day memorial!"