The rain had stopped by the time Ava reached the end of the long driveway.

She turned around one last time.

Kingston Manor stood proudly beneath the grey afternoon sky, its towering gates already closed behind her.

For three years, she had called it home. Now it looked as though she had never belonged there at all.

A black limousine swept past without slowing. Through the tinted window, she caught a glimpse of Alexander.

He was looking down at a document in his lap, completely unaware that his wife was standing only a few metres away.

Or perhaps...

Not his wife anymore.

Ava lowered her eyes and continued walking. Every step felt heavier than the last. The tiny life growing inside her was the only reason she kept moving.

She rested a trembling hand against her stomach.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"I wanted you to grow up with a mother and a father."

A tear slipped down her cheek.

"I wanted your father to hold you the moment you were born."

She smiled sadly.

"He would've spoiled you rotten."

Memories flooded her mind. Alexander talking excitedly about baby names.

Alexander insisting their future daughter would inherit his smile.

Alexander laughing as he claimed their future son would definitely be smarter than him because he'd take after his mother.

Every dream they had shared now felt like someone else's life.

She reached the nearest bus stop and sat on the cold metal bench. People came and went. No one paid attention to the young woman quietly crying to herself.

Her phone vibrated.

The screen lit up with a familiar name.

Sophia Monroe.

Ava stared at it for several seconds before answering.

"What do you want?"

Sophia's cheerful voice drifted through the speaker.

"I just wanted to thank you."

Ava frowned.

"For what?"

"For making things so easy."

Silence.

"Alexander asked me to stay for dinner."

Sophia laughed softly.

"He doesn't remember you at all."

Ava closed her eyes.

"You've made your point."

"Oh, I'm just getting started."

Another pause.

"He asked me why everyone keeps calling you his wife."

Each word felt like another knife.

"I told him some people mistake gratitude for love."

Ava gripped the phone so tightly her fingers turned white.

"You lied."

"Did I?"

Sophia's voice lowered.

"You should leave this city while you still have your pride."

The call ended.

Ava remained motionless. She had expected Sophia to celebrate, but she had not expected her to sound so... confident, as though she already knew Alexander would never remember. As though she knew something no one else did.

A cold shiver ran down Ava's spine.

An old taxi pulled up beside the bus stop. The driver rolled down his window.

"Miss, are you getting in or waiting for someone?"

Ava looked back toward the distant outline of Kingston Manor.

Waiting? For what? For Alexander to suddenly remember? For Evelyn to apologise? For Sophia to disappear?

No, those miracles belonged in fairy tales. She climbed into the taxi.

"Where to?"

"The cheapest hotel you know."

The driver nodded sympathetically and pulled away.

An hour later, Ava unlocked the door to a tiny motel room. The wallpaper was peeling, and the curtains were faded. The mattress looked older than she was.

She placed her two suitcases beside the bed and slowly unpacked the only things she truly cared about.

A framed wedding photograph, their marriage certificate, a small knitted pair of baby socks Alexander had bought on impulse after passing a shop window.

"We'll need these one day," he had said with that irresistible grin.

Her fingers traced the tiny blue stitches.

"You were so happy."

She sat on the edge of the bed and pressed the socks against her chest.

"You loved this baby before you even knew he existed."

The room fell silent.

Finally, Ava spoke the words she had been trying to avoid since leaving the mansion.

"I'm not going to tell him."

Fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.

"I won't force a child on a man who doesn't even remember loving me."

She gently rested both hands over her stomach.

"My little one..."

Her voice broke.

"From today onward, it's just the two of us."

Her phone rang again. This time, the caller ID read:

Dr. Michael Harris.

Ava quickly wiped away her tears before answering.

"Doctor?"

His voice was low and urgent.

"Mrs. Kingston... I need to tell you something about your husband's accident."

Then the line filled with harsh static...

And went dead.