Mountains and Seas Between Us

For the second time that week, Simon Hale stared at his phone and fed a whole grape to our six-month-old son.

The next second, our baby choked. His little face turned red, his hands and feet thrashing in panic.

Simon didnt even lift his eyes from the screen.

Sorry. I wasnt paying attention.

Ever since his first love added him back, that sentence had become his favorite excuse.

I fumbled to pat our sons back, tears spilling down my face from fear.

Only when the grape finally came out did I breathe again.

Simon glanced at the resentment on my face, then went right back to staring at his phone.

Natalie has been waiting months for these concert tickets. I had to grab them fast. One second late and theyd be gone.

It wasnt an explanation.

It was a warning not to make a scene and delay him from buying tickets.

I held our sobbing, trembling child, cold sweat soaking my back.

In that moment, this happy family everyone envied was no longer a place I wanted to stay.

Our son curled into a ball in my arms, clearly still uncomfortable.

I said softly, Why dont you drive us to the hospital? Even a checkup would put my mind at ease.

Got them!

Before I even finished, Simon nearly jumped off the couch.

Then he sent Natalie a voice message telling her he had secured the tickets.

The two of them started chatting excitedly.

I stood there, suffocated by how absurd it all felt.

Only when he accidentally looked up and saw my expression did he belatedly put away his smile.

The kid already stopped crying. If youre worried, check an AI app. It has everything.

After our son was born, I struggled with postpartum anxiety for a while.

Whenever I asked one extra cautious question, Simon would toss his phone to me.

If you dont understand, ask AI. Artificial intelligence is so advanced now. You can find anything on your phone.

What temperature the formula should be.

What to do about jaundice.

How many night feeds were best.

I typed every question into an AI app, word by word.

Sometimes the answers were wrong, and I had to take the baby to the hospital alone.

Meanwhile, Simon was busy helping Natalie fix clogged pipes, making her hangover soup, and celebrating her birthday.

Whenever she asked, he answered.

I often mocked him.

Didnt you say AI is useful? Cant she ask it?

And he would turn around and question me.

Is that the same thing? Can AI keep her safe? Sometimes I really dont understand what goes on in your head.

Thinking of all that, then looking at our baby shaking in discomfort, I couldnt help asking him.

Between me, our child, and Natalie, who comes first in your heart?

Simon finally looked up, as if surprised I would ask such a thing.

Then he quickly frowned.

Its just a concert ticket. Do you really have to turn it into some childish ranking?

Youre a mother now. Stop being immature.

Whenever Natalie was involved, his final conclusion was always that I was immature.

If Natalie had asked the same question, he would have posted online praising her for being innocent and adorable.

I didnt want to waste any more words. I picked up the keys, ready to take the baby to the hospital myself.

But Simon snatched them away.

The concert is in the next city. We have to leave now. Its more convenient if I drive her.

Ask AI where you can get a cab. Its not that far. Same thing.

After dropping those words, he grabbed a coat and slammed the door behind him.

He didnt even see our son cough up blood.

Looking at the cold lines of answer text appearing on my phone screen, something in me finally snapped.

I didnt manage to get a ride until after midnight.

The doctor said a babys throat was extremely fragile. If I had delayed treatment, it might have affected his speech later.

When the doctor saw the answer from the AI app on my phone, he was furious.

What is wrong with you parents? If AI can solve everything, why do you need doctors?

In that instant, the tears I had been holding back finally fell.

The doctor quickly stopped scolding me. I shook my head.

Youre right. Thank you.

I stayed with my son all night while he received anti-inflammatory fluids.

Natalie posted a photo of herself and Simon on the concerts big screen.

[Random couple-cam kiss and hug. Didnt expect Simon to be such a good sport!]

I tortured myself by zooming in.

The lipstick smudged at the corner of Simons mouth was clear.

I still remembered our sons first birthday. I begged Simon over and over to take us to Disneyland.

He waved me off impatiently.

Its hot, crowded, and exhausting. Whats so fun about that?

But now, in the photo, his smile was bright and free.

That night, our son developed a high fever. I carried him up and down the hospital stairs, rushing through admission paperwork.

At the corner of the stairwell, I heard a familiar voice.

Natalie, how are you feeling? Ill get you admitted right away.

I looked up and saw Simon carrying Natalie in his arms, hurrying toward us.

He was so nervous he didnt even notice us.

Doctor, her blood sugar dropped. Admit her quickly.

The young nurse looked troubled.

Were short on rooms right now. Mr. Hale, youre a hospital VIP, so technically your family can be prioritized for a room, but

The nurse looked at me and the baby. These two are your wife and child, right? Then the baby should

Only then did Simon follow her gaze and see us.

He froze.

But he reacted immediately.

Ah no. This young lady needs to be admitted. Her situation is more urgent.

No.

That single word slapped me across the face.

The nurse, who recognized me and the baby, looked at us with sympathy.

Natalie was quickly sent into a hospital room. Simon hurried after her.

He never looked back.

My son grew hotter in my arms. My heart was shaking.

The hospital room entrance was crowded with people fighting for beds. Every minute felt like torture.

Half an hour later, Simon came out of the room, frowning awkwardly.

I asked the department head. The babys throat is just a little inflamed. He can get anti-inflammatory meds in the hallway. He doesnt need a room.

Natalie fainted on the way back. If she doesnt get properly checked, there could be long-term effects. Dont be so petty.

As he spoke, he reached out to touch our son.

I moved away without hiding it.

Were not staying.

Then I held the baby and turned to leave.

Simons hand froze in midair. His brow twitched.

The hospital hallway was full of families coming and going.

Only I walked alone with my baby in my arms, looking for somewhere to give him his fever shot.

Thankfully, by the next morning, his fever finally broke.

Then immigration services called and told me to come pick up the result.

Simons company was moving overseas next month, but the immigration paperwork for me and the baby had been rejected again and again.

As soon as I walked into the lobby, I saw Simons subordinate, Aaron.

He greeted me warmly.

Mrs. Hale, what a coincidence.

Are you really okay with being separated from Mr. Hale across countries? Taking care of the baby alone must be hard.

I was confused and thought he had misunderstood.

So I smiled politely.

Were still working on the immigration paperwork. This time should be fine. Its not like someone can take the spot, right?

Aaron looked puzzled.

But Miss Natalie already took the immigration slot. I helped Mr. Hale submit the documents back and forth. Im here to pick up the result.

All the blood in my body seemed to freeze.

The approval letter in Aarons hand clearly had Natalies name on it.

At that moment, the staff at the window handed me my result.

Again, three words:

Not approved.

Only then did Aaron realize what had happened. He asked if I was okay.

I shook my head.

I didnt even have the strength to say thank you.

That night, when Simon came home and saw the piles of immigration applications on the table, his expression showed he understood.

Looks like you know.

One light sentence.

No apology.

No guilt.

He walked over, his tone much softer than usual.

Natalie wanted to live in that country since she was little, so I asked a friend to help with her immigration. It took your slot.

My hand tightened on the table.

Ever since he decided to move the company overseas, I had submitted my immigration documents more than thirty times.

Every time, they were rejected.

I revised them over and over. I had nearly memorized the fifty-plus pages of requirements.

In the end, everything I did had meant nothing.

Simon held my shoulders as if soothing a child throwing a tantrum.

When theres another chance, Ill bring you and the baby over. Its not urgent anyway.

Youre doing fine taking care of the baby alone. Youre getting more skilled.

I suddenly wanted to laugh.

Is the baby mine alone? Does he not have a father?

Wren. He interrupted me impatiently.

Are you trying to wake the baby?

He took a breath, as if explaining calmly and rationally.

Natalie is still young. There are more opportunities for her over there. Maybe she can find a good job.

Youre just a homemaker now. You dont need to do anything. What difference does it make where you stay?

I stared at him in disbelief.

It felt like his next word would be useless.

Once, I had a respectable and promising career too.

He coaxed me into quitting.

Why work so hard when your husband can support you? After we have a baby, you can stay home, look after the child, go shopping whenever you want. When I come home, Ill see you right away. Isnt that nice?

He personally broke my wings.

Then blamed me for not being able to fly.

I suddenly smiled.

Fine. Do whatever you want.

A flash of surprise crossed Simons eyes. He probably hadnt expected me to compromise so quickly.

Youre not fighting this time?

I threw the applications into the trash. My voice was unusually calm.

No. The baby and I arent in a rush.

It wasnt that we werent in a rush.

It was that we would never go looking for him.

Simon finally smiled, visibly relieved.

He touched my face, then looked at the baby in the crib with fatherly affection.

You and the baby will always be the most important people in my heart. Im glad you understand.

Then he called a restaurant to celebrate Natalies successful immigration.

I sat there and watched him leave, cheerful and eager.

A divorce agreement lay on the coffee table.

I signed my name and reached out to touch my babys chubby cheek.

Mommy will take you somewhere else to live, okay?

The baby didnt understand anything. He only stared at me and giggled.

The next evening, I was holding the baby and getting ready to go to the airport when Simon suddenly burst through the door.

He slapped me across the face.

Furious, he shouted, Wren Hayes, how can you be this vicious? You tricked Natalie into going to some deserted place and nearly got her attacked!

I was stunned by the blow. The taste of blood spread quickly through my mouth.

I tricked her? I dont even have her phone number.

Simon didnt listen at all. He dragged me straight to the hospital.

I stumbled the whole way.

The baby cried in terror, but Simon didnt care.

When we entered Natalies room, she was curled up on the bed, trembling.

The moment she saw me, she threw herself into Simons arms.

Im scared. Im so scared

While I was still confused, five large, rough-looking men at the door bowed and nodded at me.

Miss Hayes, we followed your instructions to scare her and ruin her reputation. Take a look. Are you satisfied?

I frowned in confusion.

I dont know

Before I could finish, Simon shoved his phone screen in my face.

Youre still denying it? What is this threatening message if not yours? You even paid people to do your dirty work. Do you know you could go to prison for this?

I stared at him in disbelief, then pointed at Natalie, who looked secretly pleased on the bed.

Do you believe me, or do you believe her?

Just as he hesitated, the men pulled out chat records with me.

Boss, the transfer records are still here. You cant deny it. Look

Or are you saying we didnt do enough? That we went too easy on her? Just say the word. Next time, well make sure she can never show her face again.

I looked up helplessly and met Simons ice-cold gaze.

In the end, he chose to believe them.

The man roared like a madman.

Get out, all of you! If you dare touch Natalie again, Ill make sure you dont see tomorrows sun!

Those men exchanged glances and rushed out of the room.

My feet felt nailed to the floor, heavy as lead.

Simon walked toward me, his expression cold to the extreme.

Apologize to Natalie. Now.

I held my crying baby tightly and looked at him.

Then repeated, I didnt do it.

Natalies face was pale as she grabbed his arm.

If she doesnt want to apologize, forget it. I deserve it. I took their immigration slot. I deserve this

The more she said that, the more disappointment filled Simons eyes when he looked at me.

He gritted his teeth and suddenly gave a cold laugh.

Your mentally ill mother lost her mind after being attacked. Are you mentally ill too? Do you want everyone to suffer like your family did?

I froze.

Something shattered in my chest.

That was the nightmare of my life.

And now he had taken it and stabbed it straight into my heart.

A tear slid down before I could stop it. Only then did he realize what he had said.

Wren, I

I stared at his unfamiliar face and suddenly felt this marriage was nothing but a joke.

I looked at Natalie, then at him.

Without hesitation, I carried my child and left the room.

After a long pause, Simons powerless roar came from behind me.

If you dont apologize, dont ever come home again!

But my steps never stopped.

Fine.

We would never go home again.

When Simon returned home, he opened the car door and stared blankly at the flowers and gifts he had bought.

My abnormal behavior made him inexplicably irritated. In truth, he didnt want to soften toward me so quickly.

But after thinking it over, he still carried everything upstairs.

The moment he pushed open the door, however, his steps stopped abruptly.