"Yes, I’m petty, I make trouble out of nothing. In short, I can’t compare to Jennifer Douglas. In your heart, I’m no longer the same Christine Quinn as before."

Her words echoed in his ears, and he suddenly swung his fist and punched the steering wheel hard.

He felt no pain; he leaned heavily against the seat.

Does he love her?

Without a doubt.

But why can’t he find those deep, captivating traits on her anymore?

He knows very well that the estrangement between them isn’t because of Jennifer’s presence, but because the years they’ve missed have changed them both a lot...

Yet he thought that no change would affect their love because as long as they held their faith, nothing could stop them from loving each other. But it was only yesterday that he realized they weren’t actually happy together...

During these days together, they didn’t achieve the peaceful and comfortable life they wanted; more often than not, they spent their time in doubt and distrust...

He feels very tired, very tired...

Why have they evolved into such a way of interacting today?

If future days will also be like this, then what’s the point of them being together?

The future...

How are they supposed to walk through it?

Knock, knock.

A knock sounded at the door.

Christine Quinn collected her emotions and said calmly, "Come in."

Marie peeked her head in, saw Christine Quinn sitting alone by the floor-to-ceiling window, and jogged over to hug her, "Mommy, why are you alone in the room?"

Christine held Marie’s hand, "Didn’t Mommy tell you this morning? Mommy’s feeling a bit unwell."

Marie touched Christine’s forehead, "It’s not hot, still so cold."

Christine chuckled lightly, "Silly girl, feeling unwell isn’t just about having a fever..."

Marie brought a chair and sat next to Christine, "Then where are you unwell?"

"Uh, sometimes people can’t say exactly where they’re unwell, but they just are."

"Oh... Then why don’t you sleep?"

"Mommy doesn’t want to sleep."

"Then I’ll call Daddy and let him take Mommy to the hospital."

"No need, Mommy’s fine... You go play!"

Marie shook her head, nestled on Christine’s shoulder, "Mommy, you’re unwell, I’ll stay here with you."

It’s often said a daughter is her mother’s little intimate cotton-padded jacket, Christine finally feels it.

"Marie, hasn’t Mommy told you that Mommy is fine..."

"Huh?" Marie looked at Christine in surprise, "Mommy, your heart doesn’t hurt anymore?"

Christine nodded, "Yes, last time at the hospital, the doctor said Mommy has already recovered to the best post-operative state. I won’t leave you alone in the future..."

Marie’s voice choked up, "It’s good that you’re okay, Mommy... You don’t know how worried I’ve been about you before." Marie hugged Christine tightly, letting her know how much she relies on her.

"I’m sorry for making you worry." Christine kissed her daughter.

Marie also gave Christine’s face a forceful kiss, childishly smiling through her tears, "Now I don’t need to worry anymore, in the future, our family of three can be together every day."

"Marie..." Christine suddenly called her daughter deeply.

Marie looked at Christine with bright eyes, "Hmm?"

"Mommy wants to tell you something, but after you listen, you have to act like an adult so Mommy can be at ease."

"Don’t worry, Mommy, I’m grown up. I won’t let you worry... Go ahead, what is it?" Marie asked sensibly.

Christine looked at her daughter’s innocent face and slowly said, "During this time spent with your daddy, Mommy found there are many unsolvable issues between us, Mommy feels very tired, and she knows your daddy is tired now too..."

"Mommy?" Marie seemed to sense some insecurity in Christine’s words and asked hesitantly, "Tired because you’re not getting along well?"

Christine nodded, "You also know that Mommy and your daddy haven’t been together for so many years, because we both have changed a lot, so some things aren’t quite adjusted..."

"Then it’s fine if you adjust slowly!" Children always think the problem is simple.

"But some changes can’t be adjusted..."

Marie tilted her head in confusion, "What can’t be adjusted?"

"For example, your daddy likes Mommy wearing white dresses, but Mommy now likes wearing T-shirts and jeans; for example, your daddy likes Mommy with her hair down, but Mommy now prefers to tie it up..."