Becoming Perfect Before the End

The next morning, I woke up in excruciating pain. The cancer cells burned through my body like flames, but the painkillers helped me maintain a calm facade. I forced myself out of bed—there was so much left to do.

Walking down the stairs, I heard Candice's laughter coming from the living room. She was sitting on Yvonne's lap, reading a picture book together.

"Mommy Yvonne, this princess is so pretty!" Candice pointed excitedly at the page.

"She is. Just like you, Candice," Yvonne replied gently, kissing her forehead.

When Candice saw me, she only glanced up briefly before returning to her book as if I were just an insignificant stranger.

"Good morning, Candice," I said as I slowly walked over.

"Morning," she replied dismissively, then tugged on Yvonne's hand. "Mommy Yvonne, can we go to the garden and look for butterflies?"

"Just a second, sweetheart," Yvonne said, pretending to look concerned as she glanced at me. "Your mommy might want to talk to you."

"I don't want to hear it. Mommy's always busy and never plays with me." Candice pouted.

Her words sliced through me like a knife. She was right—I had spent less time with her over the years because of work, while Yvonne always had time for Candice.

"It's okay. Go ahead and have fun," I replied with a strained smile.

As I watched them walk off hand in hand, I had to grip the wall just to stay upright. It was not just the physical pain anymore, but my heart was breaking, too.

In the dining room, Bowen was watching the financial news. When he saw me come in, he only looked up briefly. He frowned and said, "You look awful. Stop pushing yourself so hard."

I took a seat and said, "I'm fine. Anyway, I want to talk to you about something."

"What is it?" He put down his iPad impatiently.

I pulled out the documents I had prepared. "It's about our prenup. I want to make some changes."

Bowen took the papers and looked at them. "Kathleen, you want to give up all your property rights?"

I replied calmly, "Yes. If something happens to me... If there's an accident, I want all the assets to go to you, including the trust fund my parents left me."

Then, I continued to say, "I also want to give my art collection to Yve."

"What?" Bowen stared at me in shock. "Even your mother's original Manet?"

"She loves art and will better manage it than I can. Consider it an early wedding gift," I explained.

The air instantly grew thick with tension, and Bowen looked at me coldly. "Kathleen, what exactly are you trying to pull?"

I remained calm. "I'm not trying to pull anything. I'm just tired and ready to let go."

His expression changed, and he muttered, "You know, don't you?"

"The hotel surveillance, credit card bills, and Candice calling her Mommy Yvonne?" I smiled bitterly. "Bowen, do you really think I don't know anything?"

He fell silent.

"I don't blame you," I said. "It's my fault. I was always arguing with you about company matters, always so controlling. Yvonne is gentle and considerate, and she never contradicts you. She's better suited for you."

"Kathleen!"

I stood up. "This afternoon, I'll go to the office to announce that I'm transferring my shares to Yvonne. I'll make her an official member of the board."

"You've lost your mind!" Bowen shot up from his chair. "That's two billion dollars worth of shares!"

"I haven't lost my mind," I said, looking out at Yvonne and Candice in the garden. "I just want all of you to be happy."