I smiled bitterly, replied, “Okay,” and then hung up. Ivanna had become a conniving woman in my eyes. She had pretended to be sincere in advising me to reflect on my values, but now she mocked me in front of my husband.

I finally realized how unpredictable people could be. No wonder she tried to probe me by claiming to have seen Matthew. It became evident that it was because of her guilty conscience.

Matthew had said it had been long since he saw Ivanna. I felt heartbroken that he had deceived me like that. I invested myself in Ivanna and Matthew in this unfamiliar city, and they betrayed me. I didn’t know who to trust anymore.

I kept staring at the window before calling Matthew. As I suspected, his response matched Ivanna’s.

I was outraged and rushed to the cafe, but my phone rang as I entered. I received a call from the kindergarten teacher, saying that Ava had fallen off the slide and got sent to the hospital. The news terrified me, and I quickly hailed a cab to the hospital.

On the way, I called Matthew to inform him about Ava’s accident.

He and I arrived at the Kinein Hospital almost simultaneously. We found Ava crying in the emergency room with a scrape on her forehead. The doctor told us she had a minor concussion as she vomited after the fall. They also suggested keeping her in the hospital after the observation.

The teacher responsible for Ava was frightened and tearful as she stared at Matthew guiltily. The dean was also there, apologizing repeatedly.

Although Matthew seemed displeased, he maintained his composure and asked the dean about Ava's injuries. The dean said a boy had pushed Ava off the slide’s small platform.

What I heard horrified me because I knew the slide was at least five feet tall.

“Do you even care for the children at your school?! As parents, we trust you with our children, yet this is what happens?!” I couldn’t stand their incompetence and yelled at them.

My outburst shocked Matthew, as he had never seen me so hysterical. Even Ava was scared and shivered as she continued crying.

Matthew comforted me while the dean guiltily handled the hospital administration procedures and arranged a hospital room for Ava. After the doctor had settled everything, Ivanna called me and asked where I was.

I figured she knew about what had happened. Regardless, I still told her that Ava had fallen and was hospitalized. Soon after, Ivanna rushed into the hospital and worriedly asked about Ava.

Coincidentally, Matthew was also in the ward. The two looked calm, though I could see a subtle exchange of glances between them. Matthew even seemed a little nervous.

I restrained myself from reacting and feigned ignorance. Then I asked Ivanna, "You're done with your meeting already?"

"Yeah. It wasn't anything important." Ivanna brushed off my question and asked, "Did you call for something?"

"Nothing. I was just bored. Matthew said he hadn't seen you in a while, so I considered inviting you for lunch," I said, watching her closely.

She glanced at me and calmly replied, "Gosh! If you want to eat, wait until Ava is fine. I'll treat your whole family to a big meal."

Then she caressed Ava's head and asked, "Is that okay, Ava? I’ll buy you whatever you want when you’re better."

Ava blinked and nodded with a pouty expression. Her head had swelled from the fall, and I felt terrible for her.

I instinctively brushed Ivanna's hand away, angry at her attempt to secure her position as the "stepmother." Was she already planning to take my place? I didn’t even consider giving her that opportunity.

Ivanna sensed my distant attitude and looked surprised, asking softly, "Is there something wrong?"