After seeing Old Madam Xavier out, Wren Wynter returned to her room.

The closet was filled with "gifts" from Kaden Xavier.

These items always appeared after she and he fought over Seraphina Sutton, seemingly compensation meant to cover his unease and guilt.

She used to be naive enough to think he genuinely wanted to make up and protect their marriage.

But one disappointment after another slowly made her heart turn to ash.

She packed the items into boxes and told the maids to sell them and donate the proceeds to children in impoverished mountain regions.

Just then, Kaden Xavier returned. He frowned instinctively when he saw what was happening.

"Where are you taking all this?"

Wren Wynter glanced up at him, her voice flat. "I’m donating it to charity."

Over the years, Kaden Xavier had been quite generous, giving her expensive jewelry and handbags.

Altogether, they were worth over a million.

Wren Wynter didn’t want the money. It was better to donate it all.

"Why are you donating the things I gave you all of a sudden?"

"I have no use for them."

He didn’t know that she never used luxury goods. The most expensive item she owned was the necklace around her neck.

She’d found it online.

Something that cost around a hundred yuan.

Kaden Xavier gave a slight nod. He just assumed Wren Wynter didn’t like the gifts. ’No big deal. I’ll just buy her something better another day.’

Wren Wynter turned and went into the villa. Kaden Xavier started to follow, but then he saw a diary fall out of one of the boxes.

He casually picked it up.

"Is this something the madam is throwing away too?"

"Yes, sir."

On some strange impulse, Kaden Xavier took it back to his study.

Driven by curiosity, he opened the diary. It was filled with Wren Wynter’s adoration for him.

February 17th. Tuesday. Sunny.

Today is my third day at the Xavier family’s home. Brother Kaden said he was going to introduce me to his good friends, but he stood me up. It’s okay, though. I like him, so I’m willing to wait.

February 28th. Saturday. Overcast.

Brother Kaden said he’s going to marry me! I’m so happy. I’m finally getting to marry the man I love. Mom and Dad will be so pleased.

August 30th. Wednesday. Sunny.

Today, Brother Kaden and I officially registered our marriage. He told me that from now on, he’ll take care of me for the rest of our lives. Kaden... Kaden... I can call him that, right? I wonder if he’ll like it, or if he’d prefer I call him "husband"?

Kaden Xavier froze.

He recalled that Wren Wynter had only ever called him "husband" on the day they registered their marriage.

He remembered that day clearly.

It was the same day Asher Lynch had died.

He had been in a terrible mood and had lashed out at her.

August 31st. Thursday. Overcast.

I called him "husband" yesterday, but he didn’t seem to like it. He even got angry with me. But it’s okay. If he doesn’t like it, I just won’t call him that anymore.

With every entry he read, Kaden Xavier’s heart clenched a little tighter.

The thick diary chronicled a wife’s deep love for her husband.

But as a bystander reading it now, he saw something more: a man’s cruelty and indifference toward his wife.

He buried his face in his hands, sighing in frustration and regret.

’What have I done all these years?’

Kaden Xavier carefully closed the diary.

He’d never imagined Wren Wynter had recorded these little moments in such detail. He’d never considered that she had been silently enduring his every act of neglect and indifference.

’Wren Wynter actually loved me this much.’

’She loved me enough to record every little thing about me, enough to endure years of my neglect, enough to keep this diary filled with my name even as she’s talking about divorce.’

Kaden Xavier leaned back in his study chair and closed his eyes.

’Yes, she’s angry. She feels wronged. She’s even talking about divorce.’

’But this is just an outburst, all those years of pent-up emotions finally boiling over.’

’She still loves me.’

’This whole diary is proof.’

’Someone who loves me this much... how could she ever bring herself to leave me?’

As he thought this, a sense of reassurance slowly settled over him.

Kaden Xavier tucked the diary away in the back of his desk drawer.

The next morning, Kaden Xavier rose earlier than usual.

He changed into a set of light gray casual wear that Wren Wynter had once complimented and stood before the mirror for a long time, adjusting his collar.

As he came downstairs, the aroma of breakfast was already drifting from the kitchen. He had instructed Aunt Wallace to prepare Wren Wynter’s favorites: seafood congee and a few light side dishes.

When Wren Wynter came downstairs, he was already seated at the dining table. He pretended to read the news on his tablet, but his gaze kept darting toward the staircase.

She wore a simple beige knit sweater and white trousers, her hair tied loosely at the nape of her neck. Her face was free of makeup, yet she was so refreshingly beautiful it was hard to look away.

"Morning."

Wren Wynter paused. Her eyes rested on him for less than a second before she looked away.

She didn’t answer, walking straight to the kitchen to get her cup from the sterilizer and fill it with water.

Kaden Xavier set down his tablet, rose, and walked to the kitchen doorway, leaning against the frame as he watched her.

"It’s a nice day today."

His voice was exceptionally pleasant.

"Grandma’s birthday was recent, and I was thinking of making up for it with a proper gift. She really loved those Buddha Beads and wears them constantly. You have a good eye for these things. Will you come with me to pick something else out, so she has something to rotate?"

Wren Wynter stopped drinking and looked at Kaden Xavier.

’In the past,’ she thought, ’I would have been ecstatic over such a rare invitation—something that felt almost like a date. I would have spent ages dressing up, stolen glances at him the entire way, and my heart would have pounded whenever he came close.’

’But those days were long gone.’

"I..."

"Just think of it as helping Grandma choose," Kaden Xavier said, cutting off her likely refusal. "You know what she likes, and you understand her better than anyone. I’m afraid I’d pick something she wouldn’t like."

Wren Wynter fell silent for a few seconds.

’We’re getting a divorce soon,’ she thought. ’I probably won’t be visiting the Xavier estate much after this. I should do what I can for Grandma while I still have the chance.’

"...Alright."

"Then we’ll go after breakfast? I’ll have the driver get the car ready."

"Mm."

The car headed toward the largest shopping mall in the city center.

The driver tactfully raised the partition, creating a private space in the back seat.

When they arrived, a sales associate in a well-tailored suit greeted them enthusiastically.

Kaden Xavier said they were there to pick out a gift for an elder.

The associate led them to the jade and gold counters, where various pieces of jewelry glittered under the warm spotlights with an air of refined luxury.

"Take a look."