Chapter 8

Sylvia froze. She stared at Cameron, unable to believe what she had just heard. "Cameron, what are you saying?" "Don't misunderstand," he said gently. "You're an attractive woman, but I could never betray my brother. Besides, my heart already belongs to Mona. I love her. I'm never going to divorce her. "Mona's done a lot of reckless things lately, but she did it all because she loves me. I think she must've seen something that made her jealous, something that pushed her over the edge. That's why she lost control and did what she did." Cameron actually laughed, like the thought of Simone losing her mind over him was something to be proud of. "Sylvia, once you're fully recovered, I'll try again to help you have a child. But when that child is born, I want you to see it as yours and Caleb's, not mine. "I'll make sure all of the Kirk family's assets go to you and the baby. As for Mona and me, we'll move out. That way, she won't get jealous again and hurt you." Just then, Simone passed by the door and heard everything. She couldn't help but laugh. How noble and selfless he sounded. He was giving Sylvia the family fortune and offering Simone his hollow, pitiful love in return. And the most ridiculous part of all? After all the lies and betrayal, Cameron still wanted to give Sylvia another child. That was it. Simone's heart broke for the final time. She turned and walked away, not bothering to look back. "Cameron, keep your cheap love. I don't want it," she thought. When she got home, Simone quietly began packing. Over the years she'd spent with Cameron, she had saved every little thing he had given her. The first bouquet of roses he ever brought her? She had dried them and turned them into a bookmark. Their first movie ticket? She had glued it into a handcrafted journal and written a full entry about it. The gifts he gave her had filled an entire room, and every one of them had once been a treasure to her. That room had been full of memories and love she thought would last. She used to treat those things like sacred relics, never letting anyone else so much as touch them. Now, she didn't even bother to look at them. She dumped everything into the backyard, lit a match, and set it all on fire. In the corner of the yard stood a peach tree that she and Cameron had planted together on their wedding day. Peach blossoms symbolized love. Cameron had once said he hoped their love would grow as strong and tall as the tree. Simone stared at the tree for a moment, then picked up an axe and, without a second thought, chopped it down and threw it into the fire as well. When everything was ashes, she returned to the bedroom, took out the divorce papers she had already prepared, and placed them neatly on top of the vanity. Then, she thought for a second, picked up a pen, and left him a short note. "Cameron, goodbye. Don't come looking for me. I don't want to see you again. Whatever we had is over. Let's not cross paths ever again." When the note was finished, Simone grabbed her suitcase and walked out the door. She boarded a flight to another country. This time, she didn't look back once. This land, where no one had ever truly loved her, didn't deserve her return. ... Meanwhile, after making sure Sylvia was settled, Cameron made his way to Simone's hospital room. But when he arrived, the bed was empty. "She's already been discharged," a nurse said with a friendly smile. "Are you her brother-in-law? You and her sister seem like such a sweet couple. "Everyone here's been talking about it. After your wife miscarried and passed out, you stayed at her bedside without eating or sleeping for two whole days. It was so moving!" Even the hospital staff had mistaken Sylvia for his wife, and Simone as just their sister. Cameron's brow furrowed. He didn't correct her. Instead, he simply asked, "When did she leave?" "This morning," the nurse replied. Cameron nodded and didn't think much of it. He headed straight home, ready to talk things out with Simone. But when he walked in, what greeted him wasn't a conversation—it was silence. The backyard reeked of smoke and ashes. The peach tree they'd planted together had been chopped down. It was lying in burnt ruins. The bedroom was empty. Everything Simone owned was gone. And on the vanity, he found a folded note and the divorce papers.