Chapter 2

"Dashiell, because I love you, I don't want to deceive you. Those two children are mine and Damien's, though the situation is a bit complicated."

"I know you won't mind these things for my sake, right?"

I looked at Evelina, who seemed to take everything for granted, and could only laugh bitterly to myself.

After we fell in love, the first thing she told me was being DINKs, but she had two three-year-old children with someone else behind my back.

When I found out, she could still say such high-sounding words.

And the father of the children was standing right in front of me, having been planted in the company by her even earlier?

In her every move, I couldn't see any love for me.

All I could see was selfishness and fearlessness.

Yes, so many years have passed.

Maybe she still has feelings for me, but they've long since turned into those of a familiar companion.

As for that initial love, it's completely gone.

"How do you know I definitely won't mind this kind of thing?" I asked.

My voice was cold, so cold that even I was surprised.

Usually, around Evelina, I'm always compliant.

As long as it's not a fundamental mistake.

I can turn a blind eye and pretend not to see.

This time is different. She not only cheated but betrayed me!

Evelina replied with her usual self-assurance, "Dashiell, we're an old married couple now. We've been through so many hardships together and finally made it through to the other side. Doesn't our love conquer all?"

Conquers all, indeed.

I admit I love her, more than I love myself.

For Evelina, I would even die.

But that doesn't mean she can disrespect me, toy with me, or betray me without consequences!

My in-laws were also trying to persuade me, but with an air of superiority throughout.

As if in their eyes, my becoming their son-in-law was some kind of social climbing.

I don't deny that the Everhart family has quite a reputation in the area.

But without my efforts these past years, how could the Everhart family stand on equal footing with billion-dollar empires?

If it weren't for me, the company would have fallen into financial crisis three years ago.

Yet they never seem to think this is due to my contributions.

"Dashiell, it's just two kids, right? We'll take care of them ourselves from now on. What do you have to worry about?" my father-in-law said.

My mother-in-law chimed in, "Besides, you're not getting any younger. Having a child around later will be good for you in your old age." "Is it to care for me in my old age, or to care for him?"

I turned to look at Damien in the distance.

I could see a smug smile on his face.

As if silently declaring to me that he had won the final victory in this unspoken battle.

The ridiculous part is that the child was already three years old before I learned the truth.

I even strongly suspected that all of this was actually pre-arranged by them.

They just wanted to prepare me mentally in this way.

Evelina furrowed her delicate brows and questioned me, "Dashiell, you're going too far. Is there anything wrong with what my parents said?!"

"No, all your decisions are correct. What does it have to do with me?"

I shook my head, feeling that these years of living have been too pathetic.

The once passionate fervor had long been worn away, becoming an insignificant speck of dust.

I, who had devoted myself wholeheartedly to the Everhart without a single word of complaint.