Chapter 3

3.

Even though that holiday greeting was bought with money, his genuine joy warmed me slightly.

Yet thinking about what had just happened, a sharp pang stabbed my chest.

After meeting my colleagues at the hotel, they suggested grabbing dinner at the buffet downstairs.

I had no appetite, but not wanting to ruin the mood, I tagged along.

“Hey, Ethan? Isn’t that your wife and kid?” My coworker Zack nudged my shoulder.

I looked in the direction he pointed. The family of four was picking out cakes in the dessert section.

Another colleague, Sam, joked, “Nice one, Ethan! Sneaking your wife and daughter on our work trip! We’re all lonely bachelors tonight while you get all the family warmth.”

A burst of laughter followed, which caught Vivian’s attention.

When she looked up, our eyes collided.

I watched as she rolled her eyes and turned away, pretending not to know me.

Unaware of the tension, my colleagues dragged me toward her table.

Darren noticed me and whispered, “Vivian, since Ethan is here for you, Leo and I should head out.”

He set his plate down and took Leo’s hand to leave.

“Daddy, I’m so hungry,” Leo whined, tearing up as he looked at Vivian.

I stood nearby, watching coldly without a word.

My colleagues overheard the exchange and looked at me in bewilderment. “Ethan... what’s going on?”

I gave a brief, flat answer. “Nothing. Just neighbors.”

My voice was so chilled that even the most oblivious coworker sensed the storm brewing.

Seeing I had no desire to elaborate, they kept quiet, only eyeing the four of them curiously.

Feeling the weight of their stares, Vivian’s composure cracked.

She glared at me. “Ethan, enough! Did you forget what you said earlier? It’s barely been an hour. Are you regretting it already?”

“Not at all.”

“Then what are you doing here? Tell your friends to mind their own business!” Vivian snapped, sweeping a glare over my coworkers.

I understood immediately. She saw Darren and his son feeling awkward, so she was stepping in to defend them.

“You’re an annoying, bad daddy! Go away! I won’t let you bully Uncle Darren!” Molly stretched her little arms out, shielding Darren.

Darren rested his hands gently on Molly’s shoulders, looking at me with a smug glint while maintaining a humble front. “Ethan, don’t take it to heart. She’s just a kid.”

His words sounded polite, but his smirk gave him away.

Molly pouted angrily. “Mommy said whatever Molly says is right! I’m not lying! He doesn’t deserve to be my daddy. My daddy should be handsome and cool like Uncle Darren!”

“Molly is right! My mommy should be pretty like Auntie Vivian, too!” Leo shouted, standing proudly in front of Darren.

Then Leo’s eyes lit up as if struck by an idea. He turned to Molly.

“Molly, why doesn’t Auntie Vivian become my mommy? Then we can be a real family of four!”

Molly’s eyes sparkled. “Yes! Let’s do it!”

Vivian stroked Molly’s head, then looked at me awkwardly. “Ethan, don’t overthink it. Molly is innocent. Don’t take a toddler’s words seriously.”

I let out a cold smirk, remaining completely detached.

Seeing my stone-faced silence, Vivian’s face darkened. “Ethan, what kind of attitude is that?”

Staring at her familiar face, I suddenly found her a complete stranger.

I worked tirelessly for this family just to give her and our daughter a comfortable life.

Every choice had a price. I made good money, but it cost me precious time with them.

I had always felt guilty about that.

I foolishly thought Vivian would understand and raise our daughter well.

Now I realized she had been feeding Molly endless criticisms of me while praising the neighbor.

How utterly laughable.

Looking at her angry face and my daughter’s stubborn pout, I realized something remarkable.

My heart did not hurt anymore.

“Ethan, let’s just go,” Zack whispered in my ear.

I gripped his shoulder. “Let’s go.”

“Ethan, stop right there!” Vivian lunged forward and grabbed my sleeve. “You want to leave? Apologize to Darren first!”

I shook her off, my temper finally flaring. “Vivian, I don’t even want you anymore. Why the hell would I apologize to him?”

Vivian stumbled back, staring at me in disbelief. “Fine, Ethan! Divorce! Let’s divorce right now! Whoever backs out is a coward!”

I nodded, dragged her straight to the hotel business center, and printed out the divorce settlement I had already prepared.

I signed my name and handed her the pen. “Sign it.”

Vivian had not expected me to act so fast without hesitation.

Trapped under the watchful eyes of everyone around us, she signed her name in a fit of rage.

Darren could not hide his growing smile, though he pretended to plead, “Vivian, don’t do this because of me...”

Disgusted by his manipulative act, I snapped, “Shut up!”

“Ethan, who do you think you’re yelling at?”

Vivian’s face darkened as she slammed the signed papers into my chest. “Take your damn divorce papers and get lost!”

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