Chapter 1

I held a cheap can ring in my hand, begging for a real wedding.

Wearing a wedding dress I had carefully preserved for years, I looked at my husband after two decades of being a full-time mother.

“Twenty years ago, you said you’d give me a real banquet when we made money. Can we replace this can ring with a real one now?”

Bernard put down his financial report, his eyes cold and full of disapproval.

“You are old and ugly, why do you still wear a wedding dress? Elowen, I have to fly to Drodon on a business trip tomorrow. Don’t bother me with this nonsense. I’ll ask my assistant to take you to buy a cheap diamond ring next month. Isn’t money more practical than a wedding? You think about it all the time. Are you sick from idleness?”

He sneered, adjusting his tie. “Look at your best friend Hanley, who is in her forties and has been working hard for her career. She is my secretary and has not married yet. You stay at home all day and enjoy a comfortable life. You have no worries about food and clothing and no work pressure. Don’t be ungrateful.”

My daughter-in-law rubbed her sleepy eyes and clung to my son’s arm.

“Mom, you are fifty years old and still holding a wedding, aren’t you ashamed? If you really do what you said, people will laugh at us. Dad’s company is at a critical moment of listing and we can’t afford to lose face.”

My hand that was cutting fruit paused, and the blade scratched my finger—the same finger that was pierced when I was mending their clothes two days ago. Blood splattered all over the chopping board.

I put on a band-aid while enduring the severe pain and handed the cut fruit to them to eat.

“Oh, Elowen won’t understand what you say to her. She is a housewife and has not been in society for so many years. How can she understand these? It’s better for you to talk to Hanley.”

My father poked a piece of apple and put it in his mouth, looking at me with emotion.

“Hanley is about the same age as you, but she looks younger and more energetic than you.

Elowen, you grew up together. You should also reflect on yourself and think about why you are not as good as her now.”

As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere suddenly became awkward.

Bernard coughed lightly.

“Elowen, Dad is old and likes to nag. Don’t take it too seriously. Dad, you too, Elowen is your daughter after all…”

My father interrupted disapprovingly and ate the last small tomato on the plate.

“She has no future, how can I say that? You can’t see it when you are young, but the difference becomes more obvious as you grow older. If you ask me, I still want Hanley to be my daughter. She is smart and capable, unlike Elowen, who is lazy and has no ambition. She quit her job as soon as she got married and relied on men for support. Didn’t you tell me last time that you regretted getting married too early? Hanley will help your career. She is the best candidate to be your wife. Have you forgotten?”

Bernard’s face became a little ugly, but he didn’t refute.

Everyone looked at me.

I stood there motionless, my mind short-circuited and blank.

“I do admire Hanley. She is better than Elowen in every aspect, whether in appearance, talent or ability. But Elowen has been with me for more than 20 years and is my wife.”

After a long silence, I bent down, picked up the empty plate and walked into the kitchen mechanically.

The water rushed and the wound was soaked in water and hurt badly.

I looked at my peeling and red hands, clumsy and vicissitudes and suddenly some regrets arose in my heart.

Serving my father, serving my husband, serving my son and daughter-in-law.

I was on duty 24 hours a day, taking care of my family’s daily life all year round, busy like a spinning top, day after day, year after year.