Chapter 81

Philip's POV

I parked my car along the roadside near the Thompson estate, not expecting to see Brian here. He was sitting alone in a car, his gaze fixated on Howard's residence.

I approached the vehicle and gently tapped on the window. "Knock, knock.

"

"Mom is so nice..." I heard Brian muttering to himself. "She gets along with everyone. Mom is so gentle too... she's good to everyone." He sighed deeply. "Too bad... I'll never get to experience that firsthand again..."

Hearing the knocking, Brian turned his head and lowered the window. His chubby face remained expressionless. "Dad, what do you want?"

"I didn't expect to see you here," I said, gesturing toward the mansion."Are you here to see her too?"

I truly didn't understand what had happened. Not long ago, Annie and Howard's relationship was strictly professional, but now they were reportedly quite intimate. This news pierced my chest like a sharp blade.My Annie, my ex-wife, the woman who once obeyed my every wish,had now fallen into another man's arms? During the quiet hours of night,when I closed my eyes, images would appear in my mind-Annie nestled in Howard's embrace as they talked intimately, smiled at each other,and even more intimate contact... These thoughts burned like a raging fire from my chest to my throat,nearly suffocating me. I couldn't sleep, couldn't focus on work, could barely think clearly. I already had Sarah, so why did Annie's situation cause me such agony? This feeling of losing control terrified me and made me furious-how couald I allow Howard Thompson to take everything that should rightfully be mine?

"I just..." Brian's voice grewsofter, "wanted to make sure Mom is doing well."

"I know you refused to help me last time," I continued, "probably because you didn't realize how close they've become."

"Isn't it better that they're close?" Brian calmly responded. "The person you love is Sarah, not her. Mom has finally found someone who loves her..."1

He looked directly at me. "Why are you so obsessed with ruining everything?"

I was speechless.

After a long silence, I finally said, "She was once my wife."

"You said it yourself-'once," Brian answered unhurriedly. "That's already in the past tense."

"I just want to watch from a distance as Mom starts her new life and feels happy," Brian said softly, as if telling himself, "That's enough for me."

Just as Brian and I reached an impasse, my phone suddenly rang. I took out my phone and saw Sarah's name on the screen. I answered with some hesitation: "What is it?" "Philip..." Sarah's voice was sweet and tearful, "I've sprained my ankle. Could you come check on me?" I hesitated. I glanced at Brian, then at Annie on the balcony.

I didn't know Sarah's exact situation, but I could imagine her pacing around her apartment, repeatedly contemplating her circumstances.Although I claimed to thoughtfully keep her away from Howard, I hadn't actually made an effort to see her.

Brian must have overheard this conversation. I noticed a flash of contempt in his eyes, but he quickly concealed it.

"Dad, even if you go see Sarah, Mom won't be angry," Brian said with feigned understanding. "Mom is a kind woman; she'll understand."

I looked at Brian as he met my gaze. My resolve wavered.

On the other end of the line, Sarah didn't urge me. Instead, she said in a tearful voice, "Philip, it really hurts."

Hearing this, I suddenly made my decision and told Brian, "Wait for me a moment." Then I got into my car and stepped on the gas.

As I drove away, through the rearview mirror, I saw Brian's face break into a contemptuous smile.

"Even at this point, Dad still can't let go of Sarah, yet he dreams of reconciling with Mom..." I thought I heard Brian mutter to himself. "Is he planning to reconcile with Mom while continuing to entangle with Sarah?How disgusting."

Hlis voice grew gentler: "I'm glad Mom found a man who truly loves her and is completely loyal to her."

Through the rearview mirror, I caught a final glimpse of Brian turning back toward the balcony, continuing to watch Annie's figure.

I arrived at Sarah's Brooklyn apartment and rang the doorbell. Standing at the door, I watched as Sarah gently lifted her right foot.lmping painfully to answer. She gave me a fragile smile,"You came?"

My heart instantly softened. Seeing her struggle toward the living room.I lifted her into my arms.

Sarah wrapped her arms around my neck, shedding tears of self-pity."I thought you didn't want to take care of me anymore."

"How could that be?" I placed her on the sofa, knelt before her, and held her hand. "What happened to your foot?"

Sarah looked at her foot, biting her lip as she said, "Living alone, accidents happen.I thought it was just a minor injury and shouldn't bother you.But there's no one here. I'm pregnant, and I still have Max to take care of...

Her eyes filled with tears as she continued, "I can barely walk. I only called you because I had no other choice."

She threw herself into my embrace. Instinctively, I wanted to push her away,but I didn't.

"In the near future, you'll return to Annie," Sarah sobbed. "By then,I'll have to keep my distance from you... I won't be able to embrace you anymore. So now..."

She looked up at me, tears glistening in her eyes, "Please don't reject me.okay?"

Looking at her face, I suddenly wondered if Annie had ever felt this helpless when we were together. I wasn't sure if I was trying to atone, if I genuinely felt sorry for Sarah, or if there was another reason entirely.

In the end, I couldn't be cruel to her. I gently embraced her. Annie was once pregnant too." I said softly. "She would certainly understand your pain."

Sarah didn't respond.

"Even if I reconcile with her, she wouldn't stopy me from caring about you."I continued.

I failed to notice the flash of smugness that crossed Sarah's face. Had I seen it then, perhaps I would have realized how skillfully she manipulated me-a few tears, playing the victim, and I was completely hooked.

But at that moment. I only wanted to do the right thing. I placed my hands on Sarah's shoulders. "I'll call her right now."

Sarah looked at me in confusion.

"I need to clear things up with her in advance," I explained. "That way, if we do reconcile in the future, she won't be angry."

I knew Annie had blocked my number, so mycalls wouldn't go through.I picked up Sarah's phone and dialed Annie's number.

To my surprise, the call connected.

"Hello?" I said, my fingers unconsciously tightening around the phone.