Chapter 2

2.

Just then, the smart lock chimed, and the front door swung open.

Holden strolled in naturally, as if he owned the place.

I had stated countless times that I hated outsiders walking into my home uninvited, especially him.

Yet Kendra had never cared about my boundaries.

When Holden saw me, a flicker of panic crossed his face before morphing into an aggrieved pout.

"Garrett, where are you going? Did you snap at Kendra because of me again?"

"I really didn't mean to upset you. Didn't you already call and cuss me out?"

I almost laughed at his shameless ability to spin lies out of thin air.

Before I could say a word, Kendra stepped in front of Holden, shielding him behind her back.

"Are you ever going to stop? Why the hell did you call and scream at Holden again?"

"What did he ever do to you? How can you call yourself a man when you're this pathetically jealous?"

I rubbed my tired temples and looked at them coldly.

"Kendra, if I told you I never called him, would you believe me?"

My voice was quiet, with a barely noticeable tremor.

Kendra froze for a split second, then sneered with pure mockery.

"You're still accusing Holden of lying? You truly make me sick!"

A sudden wave of exhaustion hit me. Explaining felt completely pointless.

I gripped my luggage and walked straight toward the exit.

"Garrett, get back here!" Kendra yelled furiously. "Apologize to Holden right now!"

Holden gently grabbed Kendra's arm, putting on his usual considerate act.

"Kendra, forget it. Garrett didn't mean it. Please don't get angry, it's bad for the baby."

As he spoke, he gently rested his hand on Kendra's stomach, a gesture so intimate it stung my eyes.

"Bad daddy! You're an evil daddy! Don't bully my Daddy Holden! Get out! I hate you!"

My five-year-old son kicked my legs repeatedly, defending an outsider.

The child I had once cherished more than life itself was now looking at me with pure hatred, as if I were a monster.

At that exact moment, my heart died completely.

"Good. That's just great," I laughed coldly.

"I wish the three of you a long, happy life together. Stop putting on a show in front of me. It's disgusting."

Without looking back, I walked out of the house.