Chapter 2

I remember Connor holding my hand, smiling as he said, "We'll never have to use this. We'll be together until we're old and gray."

But it's only been eight years.

In the early hours of the morning.

Connor finally rushed to the hospital, only realizing the severity of the situation when he saw our son wearing an oxygen mask.

"I'm sorry, honey. I didn't realize Luke was this sick. I thought it was just a common cold."

You didn't realize?

If it weren't a critical situation, why would I have bothered you over and over?

Seeing that I wasn't speaking.

Connor gently pulled me into a hug and whispered, "Does your forehead still hurt?"

"Don't be mad anymore. I'll buy you any gift you want."

"I admit, I was wrong today."

"But you were being unreasonable, too. You hit Lidia first, that's why I..."

I pushed him away before he could finish.

"Let's end it here."

"Let's stop torturing each other."

Connor froze for a moment. "You... what do you mean?"

"Let's get a divorce, Connor."

"We're over."

I sighed.

Connor's eyes widened in shock at first, then he regained his composure and sneered, "Don't you dare threaten me with divorce!"

"Lidia is my assistant. I just took her to the annual gala to get some experience and have one dance. Is it really necessary to make such a big deal out of it?"

"You're so jealous!"

"Besides, as a scholarship student you sponsor, she's an excellent student with great character. She's just grateful to me!"

I laughed self-mockingly and asked, "So, you're saying Lidia kissed you in public out of gratitude?"

"Or are you saying you felt sorry for her, so you wrapped your arm around her waist to give her warmth and danced so passionately with her?"

I was merely stating the facts.

Connor completely lost his composure. He shoved me hard and roared, "What are you being so sarcastic about? It was just a game, a joke!"

"If you keep being this unreasonable, I'm really going to divorce you!"

His voice was so loud it woke our son.

"Mommy, Daddy, please stop fighting."

Hearing our son's innocent voice, Connor finally calmed down. He said casually, "It's just your mother being unreasonable."

He always did this, painting himself as the perfect father in front of our son.

While making me the villain.

"Why didn't Daddy come to see me this evening? The doctor said I'm really sick. I'm so scared I'm going to die and never see Daddy again," our son asked plaintively.

Connor answered without a hint of hesitation, "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I was too busy with work. I'll take you to Universal Studios another day."

Watching him lie without batting an eye, I felt he didn't deserve to be a father.If our son stayed with him for too long, his values would surely be warped when he grew up.

Buzz. Buzz.

Just then, Connor's phone rang.

He answered the call, then rushed off, claiming he had to meet a client.

But I had a clear view of the caller ID.

It's Lidia.

"Mommy."

"Is... is Daddy going to leave us...?"

My son asked, looking up at me with tears welling in his eyes.

It was clear he had heard the entire argument between Connor and me and understood our conflict.

And yet, Connor still treated him like a naive child who could be easily fooled.

"My sweetie, don't cry. Mommy can take good care of you all by herself."

"From now on, we'll live at Grandma's."

I held my son tightly, singing his favorite lullaby.

After he fell asleep, I dialed my mother's number.

"Mom."

"I'll do it. I'll come to your design center and take over your project."

My mother was overjoyed to hear it.

"Your talent is even greater than mine. You're destined to make a name for yourself someday."