---- Chapter 16 Joshua lingered outside Ellen's house for seven days, hoping to catch a glimpse of Kathleen. She never appeared. He begged Ellen to let him see Kathleen, but each time, she drove him away. "Mr. Hayes, Tara is sick. She's asking for her mom. Please come back," the nanny said. "Mr. Hayes, there's another problem at the company. You need to return," his secretary urged. The calls came relentlessly. Joshua had no choice but to leave. "Daddy, | want Mommy. Please bring her back," the little girl said, burning with a forty-degree fever, deliriously calling for her mother. The doctor advised that a familiar face should care for her. With no other option, Joshua released Ella from the psychiatric hospital. At first, Ella screamed and fought there, but over time, she grew compliant. The two months in that place felt like hell. She became timid, terrified Joshua would send her back. ---- "Ella, I'm letting you out for Tara's sake. Don't think | have any feelings left for you. From now on, you're her nanny. Stay by her side and take care of her," Joshua said coldly, then walked away. Ella clutched her daughter, tears falling. The caution in her eyes vanished, replaced by venom as she watched Joshua's retreating figure. She swore silently to make Kathleen pay. "What? You're saying my wife sold her half of the company shares?" Joshua said, slamming his desk as his secretary delivered the news. He thought those ties would bring Kathleen back, but she was truly cutting him off. "We also found out most of our past investments came through her aunt. She's pulled them all," the secretary added. Joshua sank into his chair, deflated. He thought he supported Kathleen all these years, justifying his guilt-free infidelity. Now he learned she had been quietly helping him. "| understand. Leave," he said Joshua sat alone in his office as night fell. He didn't want to go home. The empty house, without Kathleen, wasn't a home ---- At midnight, Ella got a call from a bar. Joshua was drunk, unconscious. They asked her to pick him up. She thought her chance had come. On the ride, Joshua mumbled Kathleen's name. Though hatred filled her eyes, Ella responded softly. Joshua, bleary-eyed, saw Ella trying to undress him. Even drunk, he knew Kathleen's scent. He shoved Ella away. "Get out! Ella, you're shameless. Want to avoid the hospital? Behave." Ella was dragged and pushed out of the room. "Joshua, wake up. Kathleen doesn't want you," she said. Joshua, wild with rage, threw her out of the house. He refused to believe her. Kathleen was just angry. When she calmed down, she'd return. He'd make it up to her, ensuring no one hurt her again. Ella stomped her foot in fury outside. "Joshua, you'll see. I'll make you give up on Kathleen." In the dark room, Joshua sat through the night. Kathleen's presence seemed to linger everywhere, but when he moved, she vanished. "Kathleen, | miss you. | miss you so much. Please come back," he murmured, lying on the cold floor. After vomiting, his stomach ached, cold sweat soaking him. ---- Whenever his stomach hurt before, Kathleen made him warm soup, even during her illness, forcing herself to cook for him But someone as good as Kathleen said she no longer loved him. Her resolute gaze cut his heart like a knife.