Chapter 4

When Jackson turned around with the empty plate in his hands, he finally saw me standing at the entrance of the dining room.

“You’re awake?” His tone was as flat as if he were speaking to a servant.

“Amy’s stomach is weak. The dishes she uses need to be specially disinfected. The servants are all rough and careless. You go wash the dishes.”

I didn’t say anything.

I knew very clearly that he wasn’t worried the dishes weren’t clean.

He just wanted to remind me in this way—

that in this house now, I wasn’t even worth a strand of Amy’s hair.

The smell of breakfast still lingered around the table, but my stomach churned like it was being turned upside down.

Still, I said nothing, and silently walked toward the sink.

After breakfast, Jackson announced that he was taking Amy and Lucas to the newly opened aquarium.

“Wait!” Lucas suddenly shouted, his eyes shining. “I have a present for Aunt Amy!”

He thumped upstairs and, not long after, came down hugging three identical hoodies—

brightly matching family set.

A just-right hint of embarrassment appeared on Amy’s face.

“This… isn’t really appropriate, is it?”

Lucas tilted his head up, eyes full of expectation.

“But in my heart, you’ve already been my mom.”

Jackson ruffled his son’s hair and said gently to Amy,

“It’s just child’s wish. Just go along with him this time.”

Amy shyly nodded.

The three of them put on the matching outfits and stood together.

Jackson and Amy were wearing the dark blue hoodies, and Lucas was the miniature version.

On their backs, the words “We Are Family” were printed in English.

Amy suddenly turned to look at me.

“Ella, come with us.”

I shook my head. “No need.”

“But you’re Lucas’s mother. If you don’t go, it’s not proper…”

Amy walked over and grabbed my hand without waiting for my answer.

“Come on, a family should go together.”

I was half pushed, half dragged to get into the car.

The aquarium was crowded with people.

The three of them in matching outfits, with their good looks, attracted countless glances.

A young mother came over with her child and admired

“You three look so happy! Your son is so handsome—he really looks like his mom!”

Jackson didn’t correct her, and Amy only lowered her head with a shy smile,

while Lucas happily wrapped his arms around Amy’s waist.

I followed behind them like an extra shadow.

I watched them being surrounded by admiring eyes, watched Jackson naturally rest his hand on Amy’s shoulder, watched my son snuggle close to another woman without any distance.

My heart ached again and again, but no tears came.

By evening, we arrived at the dolphin show.

The trainer was inviting audience members to participate, scanning the crowd, and his gaze finally landed on Jackson and Amy.

“This gentleman,” the trainer said warmly, “would you be willing to come up with your wife and cooperate with our dolphins for a performance?

It’s said that couples blessed by dolphins will be happy together forever!”

Lucas’s eyes lit up, and he pushed Jackson and Amy hard.

“Dad, Mom, go!”

When Jackson and Amy stood by the pool, the trainer introduced them enthusiastically,

“Next, our dolphins will give this loving couple the most romantic blessing!”

Two dolphins leaped gracefully out of the water, drawing beautiful arcs through the air.

At that moment, Lucas suddenly shouted from the stands,

“Dad, kiss her! Kiss Aunt Amy!”

The innocent outburst from the child made the entire audience laugh, and everyone began to shout:

“Kiss! Kiss!”

Jackson clearly froze for a second, and Amy’s face flushed a bright red. She subconsciously stepped back half a step.

But under the crowd’s cheers, Jackson gently wrapped an arm around Amy’s waist and lowered his head to press a light kiss on her lips.

At the instant their lips touched, the two dolphins leaped again, and the spray from their splash wrapped the embracing pair in a dreamy halo.

The applause and cheering in the venue grew even louder.

Up in the stands, Lucas was so excited he was waving his hands and feet, pulling out his phone to frantically take pictures.

“I’m setting this as my screensaver!” he kept muttering.

Standing in the noisy crowd, I watched that scene that was as perfect as a commercial, and finally understood what was the unnecessary.

For the one who isn’t loved, even her existence is a mistake.

No matter how hard she tries, she can’t compare to a single shallow smile from the one in his heart.

Just like now—I was standing right here, but it was as if I were invisible.