Zac had witnessed everything John had done for him since childhood. Ever since he was hospitalized, John had personally taken care of him. Despite his own lingering hand injury, he still managed to care for himself well. After accepting John, these past few days had been the most peaceful Zac had experienced in years. Both John and his mom tended to him with unwavering dedication, considering his feelings in every decision. Even within the sterile walls of the hospital, Zac felt an overwhelming warmth rising from deep within. He thought, So this is what it means to be a family. A real family. John wasn't his biological father, but as long as his mom was happy, Zac could set aside his reservations and welcome him into their lives. His mom had always longed for official recognition, and since the man in Seacity couldn't provide it while John could, and she was willing, there was no reason not to embrace it. Yet now, Renee's sudden change in attitude left him bewildered. John froze at her words. He hesitated for a moment before murmuring, "Renee, I..." Renee had never asked him to leave before. She was always so kind, there was no way she would actually throw him out. Irritated, Renee cut him off again. "Enough. Just go for now. We'll talk about everything else later." John's eyes widened in disbelief. He quickly stepped forward, grabbing Renee's hand. "Renee, what's wrong? Why are you acting so differently today?" Instinctively, Renee pulled her hand away. Her expression faltered briefly before she said stiffly, "What's different about me?" John stared blankly at his now-empty palm. He couldn't believe this was how she had responded. Tentatively, he asked, "Renee, when are we getting married?" Renee's brows knitted together. "Didn't I say we'll discuss it later?" "Later? When is later?" John's patience snapped. Desperation seeped into his voice. "Renee, I want to marry you as soon as possible! I want to give you an official status right away. Then the three of us can finally live together as a real family!" Hearing this, Zac instinctively nodded in agreement. "Mom, haven't you always wanted this?" he asked. Glancing at his own injured leg, he added, "Dad is right. I'll be fine. My recovery will take a long time anyway. I can sit in a wheelchair at your wedding. After that, we'll truly be a family!" Such a simple statement, yet it made Renee erupt in anger. She snapped, "Zac! You're a patient! How can you joke about your health?" Zac was stunned by her sudden outburst. He looked at her in confusion, his voice unsure. "Mom..." Realizing she had lost her composure, Renee softened her tone and said, "Zac, your only priority right now is to rest and recover. Don't overthink things, okay?" Zac still felt unsettled, but seeing her serious expression, he hesitated before nodding. He dared not say anything more. Meanwhile, John stood completely frozen. The woman before him felt so unfamiliar. Renee had never been one to lose her temper. Yet today, she lashed out multiple times. Why is she changing so suddenly? Avoiding his gaze, Renee turned away and quietly gathered the documents. When she looked up again, she saw John still standing in the room. This time, all patience had vanished from her expression. Her voice was cold as she said, "Mr. John, I'll take care of Zac. You should leave and let him rest." John felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He could hardly process what was happening. Staring at her in shock, he asked, "Renee, what did you just call me?" Mr. John?That felt even more distant than calling him by his full name. She used to call him "Johnny." But today, not once had she uttered that name. John didn't even remember how he walked out of the hospital room. All he knew was that Renee's expression had grown colder, her eyes filled with growing disdain. He wandered the streets aimlessly, lost in a haze. The Gray family villa had been sold. His properties had been liquidated one after another after Gray Corporation's downfall. Only now did John realize, after leaving the hospital, he didn't even have a place to stay. His plan had been to take Renee to try on wedding outfits before house-hunting together. They were supposed to pick out a spacious home, one they chose as a couple, where the three of them could live happily. Because Renee had always struggled with insecurity, he had thought, It doesn't matter if I transfer the shares to Zac first. It'll all be his in the future anyway. But after transferring the shares, his own assets had dwindled to nearly nothing. He had been staying at the hospital, and Renee had been living in a hotel, so he never considered looking for a place.