Chapter 2

I widened my eyes, staring in disbelief at the two people before me.

The guests, unaware of the situation, excitedly applauded for them.

Encouraged by the intimate atmosphere, darling clung to Hendrik's arm like a lovesick bird.

I wanted to deal with Hendrik in the most primal way, but my hands were firmly restrained.

Left with no choice, I resorted to hurling insults.

"Hendrik, you scumbag!"

"This is my darling's party! It's my daughter's birthday celebration!"

"Are you so eager to be someone else's boy toy?"

"Shut your mouth!"

Before I could finish, darling, enraged, slapped me hard across the face.

Her nails tore into half of my face, and blood seeped from the corner of my mouth.

The guests finally sensed something was amiss, with several standing up to look in our direction.

Darling, breathing heavily, spat out, "Hendrik just got back from studying abroad. That was only a cheek kiss greeting!"

"Why are you so small-minded?"

She yanked my hair angrily, "Apologize right now!"

Hendrik approached me with disgust, then turned his head to look at darling."Melody, your husband-taming skills are lacking, aren't they?"

"A live-in son-in-law, and now he's got such a big attitude?"

Watching the two of them play off each other, my heart turned to ashes.

The thought of divorce reached its peak.

But in the next moment, my gaze fell on my daughter not far away.

For me, divorce would be easy enough.

But the impact on the child after a divorce would be enormous.

I don't want, and can't bear, for my precious daughter to become known as the child without a father.

Thinking of this, I swallowed hard.

Darling pouted, then pressed her entire body against Hendrik's arm.

"I'm certainly not good at taming a wimp."

She playfully tugged at Hendrik's tie, "But you, I believe I can handle."

Hendrik gently took Darling's hand and placed it on his chest, "Is that so?"

"Come to my place tonight and we'll see."

The two of them leaned together, oblivious to their surroundings, completely shattering what little hope remained in my heart.

"Melody!"

"Let's get a divorce!"

The last three words, I uttered without any strength!

And Darling finally deigned to cast her gaze upon me.

"Divorce?"These two words, you think you should be the first to mention them?"

She tapped my cheek with the back of her hand. "If anyone's going to talk about divorce, it should be me."

I gritted my teeth. "Fine, divorce. But I get our daughter."

All these years, my only reason for staying at Ashford Manor was my daughter.

Everything else, I couldn't care less about.

"Impossible!"

"I gave birth to her, and you think she's yours? Keep dreaming!"

Hendrik also sneered, "The kid with you? She'd probably starve to death on the streets, living on nothing but air."

The two handlers behind me couldn't hold back their laughter, bursting out at his words.

A wave of powerless humiliation washed over me.

"Then let's ask our daughter who she wants to live with if we divorce."

I looked up again, my eyes filled with newfound determination.

I've been the one raising our daughter since she was born.

I know exactly what she likes and dislikes, every detail.

Moreover, I'm certain that after the divorce, I can provide her with a better, more comfortable life.

Ashford Manor isn't the best place for her.

Seeing that I wasn't backing down, darling waved over our daughter, who was playing with her friends.

"Honey..."