When the Smoke Revealed His Heart

At this point, I didn't see the point in explaining myself.

So, I just gave a slight nod.

“Think whatever you want,” I said softly. “You must be disappointed I’m still alive, right?”

“But it’s okay…”

I looked up and met his calm gaze.

“Alistair, let’s get a divorce.”

“I’ll set you free, so you can go pursue your true love.”

I turned and shifted my gaze to Asher.

“And I won’t be your mother anymore, just as you wished.”

Seeing their shocked expressions, a real smile touched my lips. How perfect. We could all finally be free.

I turned to leave, but Alistair grabbed my wrist.

His voice trembled slightly. “Marceline, what do you mean by this? You’re going to divorce me just because I saved Viveca first?”

“You weren’t even hurt, and you lied about being pregnant. I haven’t even held you accountable for that, and now you want a divorce? Is that really necessary?”

I couldn’t be bothered to argue and just tried to pull my arm away.

However, he tightened his grip, and my wrist began to ache, turning red.

Ellie, who had been standing beside me, instantly teared up.

She angrily pried Alistair’s hand off me and shielded me behind her. “Don’t you touch my mom! She just had surgery and she’s very weak. You’re hurting her!” she shouted.

I had to suppress a laugh. She glared at the man before her like a little tigress protecting her cub, determined to keep me safe.

Unfortunately, Ellie was too small and thin. When Asher rushed over to hit her, he easily overpowered her.

Then, Asher started throwing punches at her.

“You’re a liar! She’s my mom, not yours!”

Ellie couldn’t fight back. She covered her head, dodging the blows. But she still refused to back down.

“She’s not anymore. She said you don’t want her.”

“Besides, you abandoned her in the fire. You wanted her to die!”

“She told me I saved her, and from now on, she’s my mom.”

Asher froze, and tears started to well up in his eyes.

He looked down and saw the silver necklace I had personally hammered for her around Ellie’s neck. In that moment, his anger returned.

He snatched the necklace, breaking the chain, and clutched it tightly in his hand.

His face was flushed with fury.

“This is my mom’s! Who do you think you are, wearing it?!”

Asher looked up at me with pleading eyes.

“Mom, didn’t you say this was a gift for me? Why is she wearing it?!”

I smiled and reached out to help him up.

However, I didn’t embrace him. Instead, I gently pushed him aside.

Then, I helped Ellie up and brushed the dust off her clothes.

I pulled her into my arms and took the necklace from Asher’s hand.

“You had one just like this. You were the one who said it was ugly and threw it in the trash,” I reminded him calmly.

For his birthday last year, I had spent half a month making two identical necklaces. My hands were covered in blisters from all the hammering.

I even gave him the more delicate one and wore the other myself.

Despite that, he threw it away without a second glance.

He held up the brand-new PS5 Viveca had given him and said dismissively, “Mom, don’t give me useless junk like this anymore.”

I stared sadly at the discarded necklace. All I could do was smile awkwardly and nod in agreement.

And now, he had the audacity to try and snatch it from Ellie?

Seeing that I wouldn’t help him, he started to wail.

“Mom, I want this one. Can’t you give it to me—”

“If you want one so badly, ask your father to buy you one,” I interrupted calmly.

Then, I took Ellie’s hand and prepared to leave.

As I turned, my eyes met Alistair’s sharp gaze.

“Marceline, that girl said you had surgery.”

“What kind of surgery?”