Sunshine and Rain

My two childrens last wish before they died was for our family of four to see the ocean. But the day before we left, their father vanished. My children passed away with that regret. I later saw a photo of him and his childhood friend, Kate, on Kates social media. The caption read: A special birthday, with a special someone. I turned around, packed my bags, and left. Then, Jensen came crying, begging me to stay.

Jensen loathed me. And by extension, he disliked the two children I bore him. All it took was a single phone call from his childhood friend, Kate, and hed travel thousands of miles. But I had begged on my knees, my forehead bruised and bleeding. Still, he wouldn't return to see our children one last time.

I returned home, utterly exhausted. The house was brightly lit. I pushed open the door, a flicker of hope in my chest. I expected to see my two children running to greet me. Instead, I saw Jensen pressed against the sofa by Kate, intimate and oblivious.

My hope dissolved, replaced by instant disappointment. Jensen looked momentarily flustered at my appearance, pushing Kate away.

Ha. I sneered. My childrens bodies werent even cold yet. Jensen, who had been missing for half a month, had returned. And he was so eager to bring another woman home.

Jensen had already braced himself for a scene, expecting me to throw a fit. But I showed no expression, not even bothering to glance at either of them. I went upstairs to retrieve my packed luggage. I had planned to leave early that morning. After all, this house was a wedding gift from Jensens grandfather for us, but Jensen rarely set foot in it. Mostly, it had been just me and our two children living here.

I quickly came back downstairs. They were still talking on the sofa. The man who was usually expressionless now wore a tender look. It was only with Kate that he softened this way. With me, there was only endless indifference. They hadnt noticed me. With Kate around, I was always invisible to Jensen. I had grown accustomed to it.

The sound of my suitcase wheels caught Jensens attention. He watched me, his voice stiff. Summer Jiang, what kind of drama is this now?

Kate looked over, a smirk playing on her lips. Summer, darling, my blood sugar dropped, and I was just in the neighborhood. Jensen said it was convenient here, so he brought me. You dont mind, do you?

Low blood sugar? I watched Jensen pouring tea, fetching water, and even peeling a candy to feed it into her mouth himself. Her lips brushed his fingertips, neither of them seeming to notice anything amiss. I lowered my eyes, remembering a family dinner when Id forgotten to use a serving spoon to dish food for him. Hed simply dropped his chopsticks and refused to eat. Thinking of it now, I found it laughable.

Love and indifference were starkly clear.

I spoke, my voice raw with bitterness. Lets break up, Jensen.

Even though we had once shared two children and a half-finished wedding, we hadnt legally married, so it wasnt technically a divorce.

Jensen, assuming I was merely being jealous of Kate, dismissed it with a wave. "Still using these old tricks? Aren't you tired?"

"You know you can't threaten me with your kids anymore, so now you're trying to leverage our engagement?"

Because of extreme emotional fluctuations during pregnancy, our twin boy and girl were born with illnesses. Two years ago, our son was diagnosed with ALS, and a year ago, our daughter was diagnosed with polio. The hospital issued one critical condition notice after another. I signed them until my hand went numb. But my children were so well-behaved, so considerate; they never cried out in pain in front of me and would even try to comfort me.

They envied other children who had fathers. They called Jensen constantly, just hoping their dad would spend time with them too. But Jensen he never came, not once.

It turned out he thought I was using our children to gain sympathy and keep him tied down. I found it utterly absurd and laughable. We had known each other for over a decade; how could he possibly think that of me?

I wiped away my tears, unwilling to argue with him. "Think what you want. I'm leaving."

Kate spoke up, her voice laced with feigned innocence, "Jensen, honey, I heard you were planning to take the kids to see the ocean. Did you perhaps miss your date to celebrate my birthday, and now Summer is upset...?"

Jensens voice was soft. How can I blame you? We can go to the ocean any day, but a birthday only comes once a year.

At his words, I sneered. Ignoring them, I walked towards the door. Jensen, sensing something was truly amiss, stepped forward and blocked me, his anger rising. Running away from home over such a trivial matter?

He noticed my haggard, gaunt face and paused. Youve lost so much weight?

Perhaps from recent insomnia, my head felt swimmy. For a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of concern in his eyes.

Ill have my assistant clear my schedule for next week. Well take the kids to see the ocean, alright?

Next week? Leo and Luna wouldnt have a next week! If hed only shown a fraction of the thought he gave Kate to his own children, he wouldnt utter such a foolish remark!

I slapped his outstretched hand away. "No need."

Jensen looked at the faint red mark on the back of his hand, startled. He couldnt believe that the person who used to cling to him now avoided him like the plague. Snapping out of his daze, he tried to follow, but Kate held him back.

Oh, Jensen, its all my fault. Even though I knew the kids were faking their illness, I insisted on you spending my birthday with me. Now Summer is angry with me. I really shouldnt have.

Faking faking illness? My mind went blank. By the time I regained my senses, I had already slapped Kate.

Jensens face, which had held a trace of guilt, instantly hardened. He shielded Kate behind him, watching me warily. Summer Jiang, Kate has depression, and you still dare to hit her? Are you insane?

I ignored his reprimand, my gaze fixed on Kate. Youd better watch your mouth, or Ill hit you again.

Kate whimpered, sounding wronged. Summer, darling, faking illness really isnt right. Is this how you raise your children? No wonder Jensen says youve ruined them I, I wont say anything else.

I lunged to slap her again, but she darted behind Jensen. I looked at Jensen. Do you also think Leo and Luna were faking?

He remained silent. I looked around the house, seeing no sign of the children. He asked, with a dismissive air, Where have you dragged them off to now?

He truly didnt believe me. If only he had come home, he would have seen the table covered with the childrens medications and medical records. But he hadnt come home, not once.

I remembered how, after learning they didnt have much time left, my children had wanted our family to be together, to see the legendary ocean. I had pleaded with Jensen, even kneeling and bumping my head on the floor. In the end, I had clung to his trousers, promising him that this one time, I wouldnt bother him again. I would set him free.

At the time, he had paused, looking down at me from above. His eyes held both joy and a strange complexity. Is that true?

Yes, I slowly closed my eyes, tears streaming down.

My grandfather had saved his grandfathers life, so we were betrothed since childhood. When I came of age, my grandfather asked if I still wished to marry Jensen. I nodded, saying yes. Because from a young age, I had loved this legendary prodigy, this unattainable figure. My grandfather arranged the wedding. It was my affirmation that forced him to watch Kate leave the country.

On our wedding day, he ran away for Kate. I became the laughingstock of the city. Jensens grandfather was so enraged he ended up in the hospital, then forced Jensen to apologize to me and register our marriage.

He dodged it. Turning around, he warned me, This is all youre getting. I wont marry you legally.

I wont let Kate be the other woman.

Neither the position of his wife nor his unconditional love. He reserved it all for Kate.

Kate, because of me and the children, had delayed accepting Jensens proposal. I was willing to give him up. Why wouldnt he spend one last time with his children? He didnt have to like me, but they were his children too. How could he be so heartless towards Leo and Luna?

I gave Jensen a look of profound disappointment. I used to think his features were like a painting; now, I found them repulsive. Jensen was about to say something, but Kate interrupted him with a whiny complaint. My face hurts so much. Is it swollen, Jensen?

Jensens attention immediately snapped back to her. Kate leaned into his embrace. The slap Id given her with all my might had left a clear, red handprint on her pale face. Kate was now shedding tears, and Jensens heart ached for her. He gently brushed away her tears with his fingertips.

When we were kids, he used to be quite kind to me. If I fell, hed help me up and wipe away my tears just like that. I couldnt even remember the last time hed looked at me kindly.

Jensens tenderness vanished as he looked at me, replaced by a cold glare. Summer Jiang, look what youve done! Apologize to Kate.

I turned my head away, refusing to look at him. No way.

Jensen was taken aback that I actually had the nerve to talk back to him. Because I loved him, I had always been cautious and meticulous around him, carefully holding onto my sincerity, fearing his dislike. But no matter what I did, it was always wrong in his eyes. I could never measure up to Kate.

Jensen merely showed a moment of surprise before carrying Kate back to the sofa. As I walked out, I heard Jensens voice from behind me: "Summer Jiang, do you really have to make a scene and make everyone look bad?"

He knew I wouldnt be able to step out that door. His bodyguards forced me back inside.

Jensens gaze was heavy as he looked at me. "Kate's condition can't handle stress. You need to apologize to her."

Kate gave me a triumphant smirk, then looked at Jensen. "It's alright, Jensen, Summer didn't mean it."

Jensen looked at her with pity. "Kate, you're just too kind, that's why she bullies you. I won't allow such things to happen." Then, he glared at me again. "No one can harm Kate, or they'll pay double."

His protective stance reminded me of when I was kidnapped and sold to a mountain village as a child. He was the one who, despite the dangers, held my hand and led me to escape. He had once been good to me, maybe he just didn't remember.

And now, perhaps my unyielding attitude had angered him. Jensen was determined to teach me a lesson. He gestured for his bodyguards to make me kneel before them. Seeing me humbled, he nodded, slightly satisfied. A sharp-eyed bodyguard stepped forward, raising his hand to strike me.

Kate stopped him. Jensen, Summer may have made a mistake, but shes still a girl. I cant bear to see her bullied by a man.

If you truly want to teach her a lesson, let me do it.

Jensen, always compliant with her, naturally indulged her. Kate, without hesitation, raised her hand and slapped me twice. My face was snapped to the side, my lips bleeding, and my ears rang for a moment.

Kate looked at Jensen, feigning distress. "Oh no, I accidentally hurt Summer. I didn't mean to."

Jensen snorted coldly. "She deserved it. She hurt you first, yet you're still worrying about her."

He then rubbed her palm. "Did it hurt your hand?"

Kate blushed and shook her head. The bodyguards released me, and I stumbled awkwardly to the floor. Jensen looked at me. "Summer Jiang, you owe Kate this. Apologize to her."

I owe her? She was the one who slandered my children first! Jensen always sided with her, no matter right or wrong.

I curved my lips, letting out a scoff. "Never!"

"I hate you!"