Chapter 1

Right before New Year’s Eve, my wife Vivian casually mentioned taking a “family of four” trip to Miami for the holidays.

Our daughter Molly was only three years old. I asked Vivian if she was pregnant with our second baby.

Panic flashed across her eyes, and she quickly brushed it off, claiming I had misheard.

I did not press her, foolishly assuming she was planning a sweet surprise for me.

Yet while on a business trip, the moment my flight landed, I saw my wife rushing with our daughter toward our neighbor and his son.

Just as I was about to walk over to greet them, I heard Vivian breathe a sigh of relief.

“Thank goodness I changed our travel plans. Now we can finally shake him off and spend the holidays properly as a family of four.”

Only then did the true meaning of a “family of four” hit me like a slap in the face.

I walked up with a cold smile and made a calm suggestion.

“In that case, Vivian, let’s get a divorce first.”

1.

“Ethan? What are you doing here?”

Vivian turned to look at me, her expression filled with awkward surprise.

I ignored her reaction and repeated myself firmly. “Vivian, let’s get divorced.”

“Ethan, that’s enough.”

Her voice was already laced with irritation.

In the past, whenever she started losing her temper, I would have backed down immediately to keep the peace.

Now, glancing across their little “family of four,” my voice remained dead calm. “I’m completely serious.”

Vivian caught my gaze and instantly realized why I had brought up divorce out of nowhere.

A flicker of guilt crossed her face, but when she spoke, her tone was as arrogant as ever.

“Molly and I knew you were away on business, so we figured we would tag along with Darren and Leo. We’re neighbors. Isn’t it good to stay close? Do you really have to be so petty?”

I looked down at my daughter.

She was holding neighbor Darren’s large hand, pouting her little lips and glaring at me with wide eyes.

Seeing Molly’s reaction, Vivian feigned annoyance. “Molly, don’t glare at your father like that.”

Then she offered me a polite smile. “Alright, Ethan. Since we ran into each other, let’s just spend the holiday together.”

In the past, whenever Vivian smiled and asked for something, I would have agreed without hesitation.

Now, watching how my sudden arrival shattered their picture-perfect harmony, all I felt was profound exhaustion.

“No need. Right after the holidays, meet me at the courthouse to sign the divorce papers.”

With that, I turned to walk away.

Vivian had no intention of letting me leave so easily.

She blocked my path and demanded angrily, “What is your problem, Ethan? I just took our daughter on a trip with our neighbors, and you jump straight to divorce? Why are you so narrow-minded?”

Narrow-minded?

This was far from the first time Vivian had met up with Darren behind my back.

I used to turn a blind eye, telling myself that since I was often busy with work, having Darren around might help them in an emergency.

Now I saw how ridiculously naive I had been.

Seeing my silence, Vivian sneered, berating me for being heartless.

“Darren lost his wife over two years ago! Leo hasn’t felt a mother’s love in two whole years! I just wanted the kid to have a happy holiday. Did I commit a crime?”

Molly chimed in, “Bad Daddy! You made Mommy sad! Molly hates you the most!”

I pressed my lips together, staring at the woman and child before me while a dull ache tore through my chest.

“Vivian, please don’t fight. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have come here,” Darren cut in gently, shooting his son a subtle look.

Leo squeezed out a few crocodile tears on cue. “Auntie Vivian, Molly, don’t be sad. Daddy and I will leave right now.”

Vivian was already frustrated, and seeing Leo cry made her explode completely.

“Ethan, you’re a grown man, yet you have less sense and decency than a child! What good was your graduate degree if all your education went straight to the dogs?”

The space fell silent for a second before Molly clapped her little hands. “Daddy is worse than a dog!”

I clutched my aching chest, looking at my daughter with heartbreak. “Molly, is that really how you see your father?”

Molly seemed frightened by my expression and shrank behind Darren.

“Ethan, don’t scare the child,” Darren said, pulling Molly close with a look of deep concern.

Vivian wrapped her arms around Molly, glaring at me with raw disgust.

“Ethan, if you’re just here to cause trouble, get the hell out.”

I let out a dry laugh and nodded. “Fine. I’ll get out. See you at the courthouse.”

As I turned away, Vivian’s mocking voice echoed behind me.

“Fine by me, Ethan! I hope you actually have the spine to follow through! Don’t come crawling back on your knees begging for another chance!”