Chapter 3Strewn with Stars, Paved with Her Death

Mom responded faintly, then expertly set up the camera. I screamed in frustration. "Why should Mom bear Dad's mistakes?!" I cried. "I don't want Mom to be that humiliated person anymore!"

I pushed the camera down, but Mom calmly set it back up. "Be a good girl, Ariel. The company will be yours eventually." She smiled, a sad, knowing curve to her lips. "Mommy is protecting the company's stock price now, which is also protecting your interests."

I still didn't understand, but Mom's eyes were so sad. In the camera lens, she was poised and dignified. "It's all a misunderstanding. Ms. Smith is an employee of our company, with no one to care for her, so Simon kindly offered to take her to the hospital."

The video was released, and the internet was filled with mockery. Everyone said that my mother, the wife, was acting like a dog. But Dad was very pleased. He finally came home. Upon entering, he first hugged me, spinning me around, and placed a jade bracelet on my wrist. Then he kissed Mom, giving her a vibrant green safety charm.

"This is my most magnanimous Eleanor," he said. "Don't worry, I've unfrozen the card." He looked into her eyes. "I wasn't angry because you faked an illness or played tricks; I was angry that you cursed yourself. We're going to grow old together, so please don't say such unlucky things, alright?"

Dad was so gentle. He must still love Mom and me, right? I watched him, mesmerized, and suddenly, the pain in my leg didn't hurt anymore. After Dad left, I happily went to Mom's side, wanting to touch the safety charm. But Mom scoffed, taking it off. She gently touched my head and showed me a news article.

[Gemstone Legend! Mr. Simon Splashes Ten Million to Reveal Full-Green Jade, Cutting a Hundred-Million-Dollar Jade Bracelet on the Spot!]

I looked at the full-green jade bracelet on Mandy Smith's wrist in the accompanying photo. I suddenly realized. My child's bracelet, nested with Mom's safety charm, exactly formed the heart of a bangle. Oh. So Mom's and my gifts were mere scraps from cutting Mandy Smith's bracelet.

I was furious, wanting to confront Dad. But Mom calmly contacted Dr. Evelyn, confirming the date for her euthanasia medication. She chose the date of her and Dad's wedding anniversary. "That way, whenever he gets married, he'll remember my death. Only by remembering me for a long time will it benefit my Ariel more…"

I didn't dare to cry in front of Mom. I could only hide in my room and count the days. I was going to lose Mom. Although Mom held me and told me she would become a star in the sky, I was already seven years old, and I knew those were lies. I couldn't expose Mom; I didn't want to make her sadder before she died.

The next few days, Mom was very busy. She contacted an Uncle Ben, whispering with him for a long time. Then she carefully selected an evening gown, because Dad was taking her to a charity gala. Only her, not that awful mistress. For this, she even helped Dad appease Mandy Smith. But then she turned around and taught me how to provoke the now-calmed Mandy Smith: "Hehe, so what if he made it snow for you? You're still my father's plaything. At proper events like charity galas, the only one who can walk hand-in-hand with my father is my mother!"

Mandy Smith was so easily hooked. She was so infuriated that she immediately took action. On the day of the charity gala, our family of three had just sat down. Mandy Smith, disguised as a staff member, appeared. She didn't say anything, just stood there, staring at Dad with red-rimmed eyes. I clearly saw Dad's throat bob.

"Darling," Mom pleaded, "this is a major event, give me some face…" But under everyone's gaze, Dad still patted Mom's hand. "There are so many people here, and Mandy is pregnant. I'm afraid she might get jostled." He went to sit with his mistress. The whole room was filled with murmurs of disapproval. Mom seemingly lowered her head in embarrassment, but secretly, she shot a glance at Uncle Ben, who was not far away.