Chapter 4

On the morning of my birthday, I brought the two kids into the kitchen to make a birthday cake together.

The kitchen was filled with laughter and joy.

All three of our faces were smudged with flour, creating a warm and beautiful scene.

Soon, an not-so-pretty cake was adorned with a frosting drawing of a family of four holding hands and smiling.

Those simple lines were full of the children's longing for the warmth of family.

Suddenly, Serenity picked up some red frosting and looked at me with a smile:

"Dad, will Mom like the cake we made ourselves?"

I froze for a moment, then forced a smile and nodded:

"She... she'll definitely love it!"

Serenity's eyes immediately crinkled into happy crescents as she turned to Harmony and said:

"When Mom comes back, let's give her the first slice of cake, okay?"

"Okay!"

Harmony nodded vigorously, then asked with a hint of worry:

"But... will Auntie really come back to celebrate with us?"

I hesitated for a moment:

"She... I think she will!"

Serenity clapped her hands excitedly, and Harmony's lips curved into a small smile.

I looked at the two children with loving eyes.

Vivienne, I hope you won't disappoint the kids this time!

..As the sun gradually set over the bustling city, the sky was painted with a breathtaking crimson hue.

One by one, the city lights flickered to life, enveloping the entire metropolis in a dazzling glow.

Inside the mansion, the clock hands silently crept towards 10 PM.

I sat in front of the cake, watching Serenity and Harmony as they focused intently on building with their blocks.

It's an old, worn-out set of blocks, but it's the only gift Vivienne ever bought them, and it's the children's favorite toy.

Suddenly, Harmony looked up at me with tear-filled eyes and asked:

"Daddy, is Auntie... not coming back?"

Serenity stopped what she's doing and looked up at me too.

My heart raced, and in an attempt to soften the harsh truth, I quickly said:

"She... might have gotten held up with something!"

I stood up with a smile, changing the subject:

"Don't worry, Daddy will always be here for you."

Serenity and Harmony, hand in hand, walked to the cake that holds their hopes.

Serenity, pretending not to care, softly said:

"Daddy, then can you celebrate our birthday with us?" I looked at our two sensible children, my heart filled with anguish.

Vivienne, once again, you've let me and the kids down.

This is the last time. The children and I are leaving.

After Serenity and Harmony fell asleep in their beds, I quietly closed the door.

Time slipped away silently, the clock hands slowly turning until they stopped at 3 AM.

At that moment, Vivienne gently pushed open the front door.

Seeing that I had fallen asleep on the couch, she paused briefly, then tiptoed over, picked up a nearby blanket, and carefully draped it over me.

I suddenly opened my eyes, my tone ice-cold: "Do you remember what you promised?"

Noticing the cake on the dining table, Vivienne took a guilty step back:

"I'm sorry, I got busy and forgot again..."

I yanked the blanket off, saying coldly: "It's fine."

After all, I've completely given up. Nothing matters anymore, no matter how bad it gets.

I stood up, grabbed the divorce papers from nearby, flipped to the last page, and handed the pen and papers to Vivienne,

"Just sign it."

Vivienne took them, confused, about to ask something when her phone suddenly rang. She hurriedly answered the phone, hearing Fintan's anxious voice on the other end:

"Vivienne? Where are you? Faye seems to have a fever and refuses to go to the hospital unless you come."

Vivienne's expression changed as she nervously replied, "I'll be right there!"

"Also, the plumbing in my house is broken. Would it be convenient for you if I brought Faye over to stay for a few days...?"

"Of course!"

After hanging up, she grabbed the pen without even looking and signed her name on the divorce papers.

She handed the agreement to me, then quickly turned and headed for the door, saying as she walked:

"The plumbing at Fintan's house is broken, so they probably can't stay there for now! I'm planning to let him bring Faye to stay at our place for a couple of days. You should pack up some things and take the kids to stay somewhere else for a few days starting tomorrow morning."

Watching her retreating figure, listening to her shameless words.

I gritted my teeth. My wife was now asking me and her daughters to vacate the house for her pure love.