Vera's brows knitted together as she gripped his arm. "Honey, what is wrong with you? Why do you keep saying such strange things?"

"I know I haven't been around lately, but you can't just make things up to get my attention."

Her eyes were a mix of panic and helplessness, the look of someone still in love.

But Kaelen just felt weary. It seemed she had truly forgotten about the Sorrow-Eater inside him.

He pushed her away and spoke again, with grave seriousness. "Vera, I really want a divorce."

Vera pulled him back into her arms, holding him even tighter. "I refuse."

"Honey, I love you. I can't, and I won't, accept being separated from you."

"You burned those things, so be it. I'll get you new ones. And even if you've really forgotten our past, it doesn't matter. I'll help you create new memories."

Kaelen remained silent.

If only she remembered the Sorrow-Eater his Master had placed within him, she would understand that they had no future…

After that day, perhaps out of fear, Vera started coming home from work early every day to be with Kaelen, terrified he might do something else.

Kaelen brought up divorce several more times, but she wouldn't budge.

Thirteen days left. Kaelen wasn't in a hurry. He would wear her down slowly.

That evening, Vera came home early again to have dinner with him.

In the past, when they ate together, Vera would always tell him amusing stories from the office, complain about her subordinates, or talk about the food she'd tried.

But ever since Kaelen had asked for a divorce, their meals were silent, filled only with the clinking of silverware.

After they finished, Vera put down her utensils and tried to start a conversation. "Kaelen, do you remember that time we went to the sea, and I told you a story?"

Kaelen paused, then looked up, his expression blank. "I don't remember."

Vera was taken aback.

She retold the story of the Little Mermaid.

"The Little Mermaid willingly gave up her tail to become human, just to be with the prince…"

The last time Vera had told this story, Kaelen had been overcome with sadness, holding her tight and saying he never wanted to be the prince who lost his mermaid.

But this time, he simply put down his bowl, his tone less than friendly. "What are you trying to say?"

Vera pinched the bridge of her nose. "To this world, you are that prince. If you want to adapt to this society, you have to be like the Little Mermaid and give something up."

"I've already fired Caden. But today, my assistant told me she went to see him, and… Caden's wife isn't doing well. The doctor says the baby might not make it."

"Honey, I know you have the power to save him. For my sake, please, save him and the child."

So that's what all the buildup was for.

It was still about Caden and the child in her belly.

A sharp pain pierced Kaelen’s heart. He stared into Vera's eyes. "What if the price for saving this child… is my life?"

Vera’s face darkened, her lips pulling into a humorless line. "Honey, if you don't want to do it, just say so. You don't have to scare me like that."

"Look, you people are all about karma, right? I saved you once. Now, consider this as you repaying the favor. Save this child."

Vera’s tone was casual, as if it were a passing comment.

But Kaelen heard the underlying meaning: He owed her a life. This was a debt he was supposed to repay.

His heart felt like it had been violently twisted, the pain causing it to spasm.

He didn't answer. The living room was silent for a long time.

Vera softened her tone, coaxing him. "Honey, we're husband and wife. We're going to grow old together. I don't want this child to become a wedge between us."

"Think about it again."

She gently kissed Kaelen's cold lips and then turned and left.

Watching her receding back, the light in Kaelen's eyes dimmed, leaving only a dead silence.

After that day, Vera didn't come back. It was as if she was in a standoff with Kaelen, waiting for him to break and agree to save the child.

But Kaelen never broke.

When he left the mountain, his Master had warned him to love himself first. No matter who asked him to sacrifice anything in the future, he must not agree.

He had promised his Master, so he couldn't possibly agree to Vera's request.

The days dragged on. With only seven days left until his departure.

That morning, Kaelen woke up and stared at the ceiling, which suddenly felt unfamiliar.

It took him a moment to remember this was his and Vera's bedroom.

The memories of him and Vera, devoured by the Sorrow-Eater, were now mostly gone.

Soon, nothing would be left.

It was for the best. The faster he forgot, the faster he could let go.

Just as he was thinking this, his phone rang urgently.

Kaelen suppressed a wave of unease and answered. A voice on the other end said, "Is this Mr. Kaelen Shaw? This is the police department."

"We need you to come to the rooftop of Thorne Corp immediately. A man named Caden is accusing you of cursing his child and is threatening to jump."