Just then, a new call came in.
I answered.
The moment I answered, her furious voice exploded through the phone.
“Are you insane? I’m about to be evaluated for a senior title and Henry is about to be made permanent, but you actually reported us to be transferred to the African branch?”
“Leo, I know you’re grieving over the children, but that was fate!”
“Our kids were born with a condition—even a god couldn’t have saved them. It was written in their destiny that they wouldn’t live long. It wasn’t me and it damn sure wasn’t Henry who killed them!”
“I’ve told you this a thousand times, but you insist on targeting Henry over and over. I stopped you from checking the surveillance footage because I didn’t want you to lose your mind again! I never imagined you’d start slandering Henry with disgusting rumors—let alone abuse your power to send him to Africa!”
Her usually cold and composed voice was now trembling with anger, each breath ragged and heavy.
I simply asked her, “You rushed off in such a hurry—was it really for a flying-in surgery?”
“Was Henry’s social media post truly because some drunk patient’s family forced you all to play a game?”
“Or did you just want to get away fast... so you could go on a Disneyland date with your precious little protégé?”
On the other end, her breathing abruptly stopped.
There was a brief silence—two seconds at most— then her voice softened, carefully composed.
“What nonsense are you talking about? That’s not true. Are you… having one of your delusions again?”
And then, Henry’s voice came through, clear and casual. “Irene, the fireworks are about to start. It’s rare for you to relax like this—I don’t want you in a bad mood because of me. Once we’re back, I’ll personally apologize to Mr. Carter. Even if I have to kneel, it’s fine.”
The call was cut off immediately.
She must have hung up in such a hurry—afraid of missing the beautiful fireworks, no doubt.
I held my children’s urns in my arms, tears falling uncontrollably.
“Daddy will never let them get away with this,” I whispered.
Eventually, I cried myself into unconsciousness.
The next day, when I woke up, my eyes were so swollen I could barely open them.
I put on a pair of sunglasses and went downstairs— only to see a familiar figure moving busily outside.
Irene was carrying a bowl of porridge. She froze for a moment when she saw me, but quickly put on a casual smile.