Chapter 4

At the dinner table, Garrison flashed a victorious smile at Melody.

Melody glanced at her mom, then back at Garrison, her face brimming with satisfaction.

Suddenly, as if struck by inspiration, Melody grabbed Grace's arm. "Mom, didn't you develop a new fireworks show? Let's go set it off today!"

I shook my head with a frown. "Those fireworks aren't fully developed yet. It could be dangerous..."

"These are my mom's fireworks. What do you know? You're always cooped up at home, not letting me have any freedom!" Melody cut me off before I could finish.

Garrison blinked, looking at Grace. "New fireworks? Can I see them?"

Hearing Garrison's request, the hesitation in Grace's eyes instantly vanished.

"I've always felt those fireworks were pretty much ready. Besides, it's New Year's, we should get into the festive spirit."

I knew that no matter how much I protested, it wouldn't make a difference.

I didn't want to go.

Hearing me say this, Grace's beautiful eyes revealed a look of impatience.

"Can you please not throw a little tantrum on a day when the family should be happy together?"I was pulled into the car by her, settling into the passenger seat that carried the lingering scent of Garrison's tobacco.

Throughout the journey, the three of them chatted and laughed while I sat alone, gazing out the open window.

The tickets were booked for the early hours, and I calculated we should make it in time.

Upon arriving at the fireworks factory, Grace dragged out newly developed fireworks from deep inside.

Up until today, they had never been test-fired.

Garrison's face was full of anticipation, causing Grace's gaze to soften more and more.

She looked at my expressionless face and sighed helplessly, "It's okay. If anything goes wrong, I'll definitely shield you all."

The moment the fireworks ignited, it was truly beautiful. Various vibrant colors intertwined, blossoming into different flower shapes in the sky.

But things quickly spiraled out of control, with sparks flying everywhere and a thick cloud of smoke rolling in.

Grace instinctively tried to locate me but was held back by Garrison.

"Grace, I'm scared."

Grace draped her jacket over Garrison, holding him tightly.

As the smoke cleared, Grace saw me standing safely in place and breathed a sigh of relief."I'll take Garrison and our daughter to the car first. You start cleaning up here, and I'll come back to help you later."

After she left, I finally brought out the hand I had been hiding behind my back.

My palm was bright red from the explosion, with several bloody marks on my wrist.

My lips bore teeth marks from biting down to endure the pain.

I walked towards the other door, hailed a cab, and set my destination as the train station.

When Grace returned, she saw traces of blood on the ground and the remnants of fireworks still lying there, completely untouched.

But Kellan was nowhere to be seen.

Where could he have gone?

Grace searched every corner of the fireworks factory where she and Kellan had spent over a decade, but couldn't find the familiar figure anywhere.

Had he left her?

Grace immediately dismissed the thought. Anyone else might leave her, but not Kellan.

He must have gone home by himself.

So Grace first took Garrison to the hospital. After learning he wasn't seriously injured, she drove home urgently.

For some reason, she had an uneasy feeling in her heart.Three strides merged into two as she rushed forward, oblivious even to Garrison calling her name. She flung open the door to Kellan's room.

A file folder lay on the bed. Grace tore it open, her impatience palpable.

Inside, to her shock, was the divorce agreement between Kellan and herself...