Chapter 1

I hurried to the hotel on my beat-up electric scooter, eager to tell my wife that our coffee shop was finally about to land its first big order.

As I pushed open the door to the banquet hall, I froze in shock.

A ragdoll cat was rolling around on the cake I had stayed up all night to make.

My wife walked over, stepping on cake crumbs strewn across the floor. Without even glancing at me, she fastened a platinum collar around the cat's neck, then moved close to adjust that man's tie.

I looked down at my flour-covered work uniform, then at the cheap plastic pendant hanging from my daughter's neck.

So this was the "high-end market" she had been talking about. It was never about our coffee shop.

Ten years of marriage, shattered at a pet party.

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1

Looking at Gunner's stylish appearance, decked out in luxury brands from head to toe.

My mother's dying words echoed in my ears.

"Remember, where a woman spends her money most freely is on the person she loves most."

I used to shake my head with a smile, thinking that the simple coffee my wife ground for me was worth more than any luxury item. Only now do I understand how cruel this truth can be.

My daughter, in her innocent bliss, was focused solely on chasing after a balloon.

"Mommy, look over here!"

The distinguished guests in the banquet hall cast strange looks our way. I glanced down at my flour-covered work uniform, feeling like a misfit outsider.

I recalled starting at 3 AM to prepare handmade cakes and specialty coffees for this party. To maintain the best quality, I had made over a dozen trips back and forth on my electric scooter, my body chilled by the morning dew.

My wife stood by the champagne tower, her gaze coldly sweeping over our father-daughter duo.

"Asher, how could you dress like this for such an occasion?"

Gunner raised his crystal glass, taking an elegant sip.

"Asher, it seems you don't understand the rules here yet."

Amidst the clinking of glasses, I overheard someone whispering.

"Isn't that the guy who runs the coffee shop? How did he get in here?"

I stood rooted to the spot, feeling like a lowly chef who had accidentally stumbled into a lavish ball.The daughter tugged at the hem of my shirt, her voice filled with hurt.

"Daddy, why doesn't Mommy care about us?"

I picked up my daughter, feeling her tiny body shiver in the cold wind.

Tears welled up in my eyes, the icy breeze making them sting even more.

My little girl buried her face in the crook of my neck, silently wiping our tears with her handkerchief.

I turned to the event manager and said, "Remove all the desserts and coffee. Refund the deposit."

Just after settling my daughter in the car, I turned to see my wife leaning into Gunner's arms, gently pecking the corner of his lips. The diamond earrings by her ears were particularly eye-catching.

Her fingers caressed the tie on his chest, seemingly oblivious to the public setting.

I quickly shielded my daughter's eyes, my heart wrenching in pain.

All because she once said,

"Asher, we need to target the high-end market. We can't stay at the level of a street-corner coffee shop."

So I threw myself into studying baking and coffee, taking on all sorts of delivery orders, while overlooking the disdain in her eyes.

After nightfall, just as I had put our daughter to bed, she came home.

She lashed out at me immediately.

"Do you know how embarrassing it was for me when you removed those desserts?"

She stood there like an enraged swan, her neck arched haughtily.I questioned her, "You said it was a business cocktail, so why has it turned into a private party?"

She hesitated for a moment, then quickly defended herself.

"Mr. Warwick is an important client."

"So that's why you had to buy him limited edition cologne, and a platinum collar for his cat? My daughter and I don't even have new clothes!"

At this point, I couldn't control my emotions any longer.

Seeing me cry, her expression became flustered.

"Don't overthink it, this is all for business."

I dodged her hand.

"I saw you kissing. Ten years of marriage, and you throw it away for your first love?"

"Shut up!"