Back in the car, Edmund had noticed my limp. His gaze dropped to my foot, laced with genuine concern.

“It’s not serious, just a bit sore. It’ll heal soon. Just take me to my house.”

Thankfully, I had secretly bought a new home last year. I’d been planning my escape from Stephen for a while, preparing for the day I’d finally walk away for good. I just hadn’t expected it to come so soon.

“No way. I’m taking you for a proper checkup—right now.”

Edmund’s brows furrowed deeply as he turned the car around without hesitation. About twenty minutes later, we pulled into a hospital.

“This is Dalton Group’s private facility. Don’t worry, he won’t find you here.”

As soon as we parked, a team of professionals rushed over with a wheelchair. Edmund had summoned the hospital’s top specialists just for my injured right foot. “Use the best treatment plan. I want no risk of permanent damage.”

Inside the VIP ward, Edmund personally lifted me onto the bed and tucked me in with care. Then his eyes landed on the still-unhealed wound on my palm. His expression shifted instantly, tightening with alarm.

“What happened to your hand?! How did this happen?!” He nearly shouted, his voice thick with emotion.

I glanced down at the bleeding palm and gave a bitter smile, then quietly told Edmund the full story. His fists clenched, veins bulging beneath his skin, eyes brimming with pain and fury.

“That bastard! I only knew he left you alone at the hospital for Eleanor; I didn’t realize he’d done so many cruel things to you.”

“I won’t let him get away with this!”

Even Edmund could see every wound I carried. But Stephen? He never saw a thing. Yet if Eleanor so much as coughed, he’d fall apart in panic. The difference between being treasured and being tossed aside was painfully clear. And all these years, I had forced myself to stay blind to it.

Soon, the doctor finished the examination.

“Because your foot was injured and never properly treated, the damage has worsened.”

I remembered the travel show Edmund mentioned and asked with concern, “How long will it take to heal?”

“With the right care, at least one to two months of rest,” the doctor replied.

“That’s too long. Won’t it delay filming?” I clenched my hand nervously, glancing at Edmund with quiet guilt.

But he replied, “You just focus on healing. That’s not a problem, because this show was made for you.”

It turned out Edmund had been preparing the program for years. Knowing how much I loved to travel, he had always dreamed of creating something like this. But back then, I was caged inside something called family, and he had no rightful reason to reach for me. Now, the time had finally come.

After the doctors and nurses left, Edmund sat on the sofa, smiling at me.

“Once you’ve recovered, we’ll launch the show. In the meantime, start getting familiar with how travel content works in today’s online world.”

I couldn’t help but worry. “Am I really up to it? I don’t want to ruin all your effort just because I’ve become a useless old woman.”

“This show is meant for everyone, especially viewers in their middle age and beyond. We don’t need glamorous young girls. What we need is warmth, and honesty.”

“And you’re not a useless old woman, Victoria. I believe with just a bit of ‘rehabilitation,’ your charm as a former host will shine again, for the world to see.” The conviction in his eyes gave me back a little confidence.

For thirty years, I had buried my dreams for Stephen, silenced my passions, and reduced myself to a dull, overlooked woman—forgotten, unremarkable, and unloved. I had almost forgotten that once, back in high school and university, I used to shine. I had stood under dazzling lights, faced cameras without fear, and lived as my truest, most radiant self.

I was truly grateful to Edmund. He had given me the chance to rediscover who I was, to awaken the fire I thought I had lost.

“Hi, hope I’m not interrupting?” A gentle voice came from the doorway. A young woman in her thirties, wearing a white coat and black-rimmed glasses, lightly knocked as she peeked in.

“Hello, Auntie Victoria. My father talks about you all the time.” She walked over with a bright, polished smile, her neat teeth gleaming, her presence poised and beautiful.

I returned the smile and shook her hand. “So young and already a director. That’s truly admirable.” Edmund had never married, but I’d heard about his adopted daughter. This was our first meeting, and it was easy to see he had raised her well.

“Auntie, don’t worry about a thing while you’re here. I’ll personally make sure everything’s taken care of.”

When Edmund stepped out to take a call next door, Catherine leaned in and whispered beside my ear.

“My father stayed single all his life just waiting for you. Honestly, men like that are nearly extinct.” She winked playfully.

Just then, a little girl, about four or five, ran in and hugged Catherine’s leg tightly. “Mommy, when will you get off work?” Catherine scooped her up and tapped her tiny nose. “Baby, why are you here so late?”

“I missed you, so the nanny brought me to find you.” Catherine let out a helpless smile, then pointed at me. “Margaret, this is Grandma Victoria.”

“Grandma!” Little Margaret chirped sweetly. Her sparkling, innocent eyes caught me off guard. I froze for a second, dazed. I thought of my grandson, Henry.

Truly, I never blamed him for the cruel thing he said that day. He was just a child, too young to understand. But in that household, once he began to understand the world, he’d only drift farther and farther from me. Maybe I had already lost him. A sharp ache pierced my chest.

Soon, Edmund returned from his call. Catherine stayed for a while longer, then left with little Margaret dozing in her arms.

“You should go home and get some rest,” I told Edmund. He’d already done more than enough for me today.

“It’s alright. I’ll leave after you fall asleep. I can finish some work while I wait.” He settled on the sofa, quietly handling business on his phone.

Lately, I’d been far too drained. As I lay back in the hospital bed, my body finally relaxed. Before I knew it, I slipped into sleep. But even in rest, peace didn’t come. I kept dreaming, haunting dreams where everyone turned away from me. Stephen. My children. My grandson. They all surrounded Eleanor, leaving me behind in a world of endless darkness.

“No!” It’s okay. You just had a nightmare. Victoria, don’t be afraid. It’s over now… A soft voice whispered in my ear again and again. Slowly, the panic eased, and I sank into calm.

The next morning, the nurse told me gently, “Mr. Dalton stayed by your side until after two. He only left when he was sure you were sleeping soundly.” I hadn’t expected that. And just as the nurse was changing the dressing on my foot, Edmund appeared again, barely five or six hours later. He stepped in like a quiet gust of wind, carrying a food box in his hand.

Seeing I was awake, he gave me a small nod and placed the box on the table. “I made you some breakfast. Freshen up and come eat.” Feeling a little embarrassed, I said, “You’ve already done so much. Next time, don’t bother cooking, really, I can just order something.” He opened the food box with ease. “You’re a patient. What’s wrong with letting me take care of you a bit?”

Looking at the dark circles under his eyes, my vision turned misty. For decades, I had been the one taking care of everyone else, even when I was sick. This was the first time someone cared for me with such gentleness, down to the smallest detail. I had never realized how comforting that could feel.

While I quietly enjoyed breakfast with Edmund in the soft morning light, Stephen was just waking up in Eleanor’s warm embrace. Eleanor glanced at the clock, then wrapped her arms tighter around him.

“It’s still early. Stay a little longer, hmm?” Stephen kissed her and replied, “Today’s my 30th wedding anniversary with Victoria. I’m taking her out on the new yacht to celebrate.” Eleanor immediately looked aggrieved. “You must really love her, leaving me behind just to have some romantic time with your wife?” Stephen said, “Of course I’ll take you with me, baby. I had those million-dollar fireworks custom-made just for you, they’ll be lit from the yacht.”

A glimmer of smugness flashed in Eleanor’s eyes. Her cheeks flushed, eyes brimming with devotion and reliance.

“You’ll pretend the fireworks are for her, but deep down, they’re really for me. Aren’t you afraid she’ll find out and throw a fit?” Stephen got out of bed and dressed slowly, letting out a cold laugh.

“She’ll never find out. The fireworks are for you and our child.” Just then, his phone buzzed nonstop. He picked up, and his assistant’s panicked voice came through sharply.

“Boss, bad news! You need to check your wife’s latest social media post. Right now!”