The Wife Who Jumped on New Year's Eve

Chapter 31

The sky was dotted with faint clouds, bathed in golden sunlight.

Joanna Taylor had expected Ryan Bennett to choose a fancy Western restaurant. Instead, he brought her to their daughter Lily's old kindergarten.

The entrance was achingly familiar—the slide and swings swayed gently in the breeze, as if still echoing with children's laughter. Joanna's steps slowed, her heartbeat quickening.

It felt like an ordinary day, dropping Lily off at school. But the sharp pain in her chest reminded her that such moments were now just a distant dream.

Inside, a teacher greeted them warmly. They were led to Lily's former classroom.

The walls were covered in children's drawings. Joanna's gaze immediately landed on Lily's—a picture of three figures holding hands, all wearing bright, happy smiles.

The teacher handed them a few videos.

"Mr. and Mrs. Bennett, I'm so sorry for your loss. These recordings are for you to keep."

There were clips of Lily singing and dancing. Joanna's voice trembled.

"I sewed this dress myself. She loved Elsa but couldn't find the right costume."

"She adored these little braids. The teacher said she looked like a tiny apple."

"She brought this lunchbox home for me to eat, and it nearly gave me food poisoning..."

Ryan's chest tightened with regret. He realized just how much he had missed—and lost.

Then came a different video.

Lily, her hair in two playful pigtails, beamed at the camera.

The teacher asked the children, "What's your dream?"

When it was Lily's turn, she answered in her clear, sweet voice, "My dream is to be happy with Mommy and Daddy forever."

Joanna's tears spilled over. She pressed a hand to her mouth, stifling a sob.

Ryan stood beside her, his own heart heavy with grief and helplessness. He wanted to pull her close, to offer comfort—but in the end, he let his hand fall.

After leaving the kindergarten, Joanna remained unsettled.

She knew why Ryan had brought her here—to remind her of their past happiness, to lure her back.

As a mother, she had always understood Lily's wish for a reunited family.

But Joanna couldn't lie to herself.

Once, she and Ryan had shared something beautiful. They had been perfectly in sync, eagerly awaiting Lily's arrival.

Yet no love could withstand such betrayal.

Now, looking at Ryan, she felt only one thing—gratitude.

Gratitude for his help when she had needed it most.

But when it came to him, all she could say was, "Enough."

Not "I forgive you."

Grandma Wilson and Lily's deaths were wounds that would never heal. She had no right to forgive.

"Ryan," Joanna met his gaze, her voice steady despite the tears.

"I know why you brought me here. I know Lily's dream. But we can't go back."

"Even now, part of me still resents you. Because I loved her more—so I waver, I ache. And you? You can use her memory so easily, trying to pull me back."

"You saw these videos before, didn't you? When you brought home her drawings."

Ryan flinched, lowering his head.

"Yes. I knew how much you loved her. I thought... even the smallest chance..."

Joanna smiled through her tears.

"But I knew my daughter too. And I believe she'd want her mother to be happy."