Grace Parrish's husband and son were both infatuated with the woman, Kendra Jermyn.

After showering, Grace entered the study.

Antonio Kaufman, her husband, immersed in paperwork, glanced up, frowning. "What's it?"

Grace softly asked, "It’s Omar's birthday tomorrow. Will you be here?"

Without pausing, she added, "I've invited Ms. Jermyn."

Antonio's reaction to Kendra’s name struck Grace.

She forced a smile. "I have three surgeries tomorrow. Have a great time..."

Omar Kaufman adored Kendra, even calling her "Mommy".

Antonio questioned Grace, "What do you mean?"

Grace, planning to leave for an overseas exchange, intended to relinquish her role as wife to Kendra, fulfilling both their desires.

Omar’s excited voice interrupted. "Mommy, you’re not coming back? What about my birthday gift?"

Grace smiled, her sadness momentarily lifted.

"I'll give you cash. Get whatever you want."

Last year, Grace bought him a Lego set.

He painstakingly put it together, only to give it to Kendra, trying to make her happy.

This year, money seemed a better option.

She simply said, "Goodnight," and left.

Grace had been with Antonio for years, their relationship beginning with a fling that resulted in Omar.

Antonio married her for Omar, but his heart belonged to Kendra.

Omar also, longed for Kendra as a "Mommy".

Grace planned to leave, allowing them to be together..

It was Omar's birthday.

Omar called.

"Mommy, come home! I want to cut the cake with you..." His innocent voice pained Grace.

She remembered his past support during Antonio’s coldness.

"Mommy, don't be sad. When I grow up, I'll protect you!"

She decided to head home.

The servant was shocked to see her.

Laughter from the living room followed.

"Omar, you're such a good boy. Your dad asked me to make this cake."

"Kendra, I love you so much!"

Grace saw Omar hugging Kendra, Antonio watching lovingly

They looked like a family.

Grace felt like an intruder

Kendra’s grin faded fast as she awkwardly separated from Omar. "Grace, it's just innocent chatter. Don't misunderstand..."

Antonio's face soured. "I thought you had surgery."

Omar admitted Kendra had asked him to call his mother back for cake.

Grace saw the strawberry cake. "Did you ask Ms. Jermyn to make this?" she asked Antonio.

Antonio's voice was cold, "Omar loves Kendra's cakes."

Grace, fighting back tears, played it cool. "I'm just resting. Go ahead."

Kendra offered her cake, "Grace, there are two pieces of cake left. Would you like to join us?"

Grace simply shook her head, "I'm allergic to strawberries."

Antonio paled. He'd forgotten about Grace's allergy to strawberries.

Exhausted, Grace went to her room, where a call from Russell Kaufman awaited.

"Grace, it's Omar's birthday. I brought him a gift," Russell said, abruptly ending the call.

A commotion erupted downstairs.

Russell, enraged was beating Antonio with his cane.

"How many times must I say this? You're married to Grace. Why are you with her?"

Kendra knelt, pleading, "Grandpa Russell, I came alone. Please don't hit Antonio..."

Antonio stayed silent, his gaze hardening toward Grace.

Back then, Grace would have defended Antonio.

Now, she watched with detached calm.

Omar, breaking free from the servant, shoved Grace, yelling,."It was your fault! You told Grandpa!" Grace fell down the stairs.

"Be a good boy. Your mother is Grace," Russell pulled Omar away.

Antonio spoke indifferently, "If Omar wants Kendra as Mommy, let him."

Russell barked, "Shut up!"

Grace calmly touched Russell’s arm "Grandpa, it's okay. Omar can call anyone Mommy.

"And Ms. Jermyn is my guest."

Russell looked confused.

He sighed heavily.

Grace guided him to sit, her voice soothing. "It’s Omar's birthday. Let's eat."

During the meal, Antonio, perhaps feeling a pang of guilt, served Grace.

Russell glanced at Kendra, then at Grace and Antonio.

"Grace, Antonio, you’re young. Think about another child?"

Antonio's eyes flickered with surprise.

Grace ignored him, ensuring Russell ate, then walked him out.

Later, during her lunch break, Grace overheard hospital gossip.

"Wow, that guy's a total hottie!"

"Who is that guy? And is that his kid? Who's the lucky mom of such a cute little boy?"

Antonio and Omar strolled by Grace, making a beeline for Kendra.

Omar embraced Kendra, grinning, "Kendra, I miss you so much!"

Antonio, unusually smiling, congratulated her on her new job., "Glad to see you've found a job you're really into."

The crowd was impressed.

"Dr. Jermyn hit the jackpot." they exclaimed.

Antonio had kept his relationship with Grace under wraps.

Grace watched the cozy scene impassively.

Antonio finally noticed her, a flicker of unease crossing his face.

Antonio started to speak, but a voice boomed.

"Dr. Gilford! We have an elderly patient in ER with a heart problem. He needs immediate surgery!"

Grace gasped, recognizing the patient.

"Grandpa?"

Russell, perfectly healthy yesterday, had suffered a heart attack today?

Antonio was visibly shaken.

Omar sobbed, "Save Grandpa!"

Grace rushed to the operating room. The seven-hour surgery left her weak and pale.

"He's stable," she reassured Antonio and Omar.

Antonio confronted her, "Why did you trigger his heart condition?"

Grace was bewildered, "What did I do?"

Antonio tossed Russell's phone at her. The screen displayed a text:

"Grandpa, I'm divorcing Antonio."

Omar had used her phone.

Grace, tamping down her anger, asked, "Omar, why did you send that?"

Antonio retorted, "Why blame a kid for your mistakes?"

Grace found his disappointment hilarious.

"Do you think I'm wronging him?"

Antonio countered, "Aren't you?"

Omar cried," I didn't know that would make Grandpa sick.

"I just wanted Mom and Dad to divorce so Kendra could be my mom..."

Grace felt numb, she gently stroked Omar's hair. "Don't worry. I won't make you wait long."

Antonio frowned, a tinge of reproach in his tone, "You're his mom. Don’t be so hard on him."

Grace smiled faintly. "Your dad's in bed, and you're blaming me for being hard on Omar?"

Antonio hesitated, guilt evident.

Russell stirred awake. He surveyed the room and then exhaled in relief. "Grace."

Grace approached. "Yes?"

Antonio joined them.

Omar clutched Russell's hand.

Russell tenderly ruffled Omar's hair, his eyes settling on Grace.

"Grace, Omar needs you. Don't leave Antonio. Promise me."

Grace's throat tightened, "I'll take care of it. Rest," she managed, then excused herself.

She couldn’t lie to Russell, but she wouldn’t abandon her own decision.

She would handle it her way.