Chapter 1

I was the last to know that my wife, Juliet, was pregnant with her second child.

My two-year corporate assignment in South Africa had finally ended. When I walked through the front door, Juliet was already about to pop.

I didn't scream. I didn't demand answers. I just looked at her calmly and said:

"Now that I’m back, we can file for divorce."

Juliet panicked. She grabbed my hand, her voice trembling with anxiety.

"Alex, let me explain... You were gone for two years.

Leo was the one who took care of everything around the house. I only had this baby to repay him. Don't overthink it."

Our six-year-old daughter, Kate, also spoke up to defend her mother.

"You were gone for so long! If it wasn't for Leo, Mommy and I would have starved to death!

What's wrong with Mommy having a baby for Leo? You're just making a big deal out of nothing!"

Looking at the mother and daughter tag-teaming me, I simply nodded. "You have a point."

I did feel a sense of guilt toward my wife and daughter. I hadn't been there for them over the last two years.

But during my time abroad, I sent every single penny I earned back to Juliet. I made $120,000 a year, which was more than enough for them to live a luxurious life.

I went to that harsh environment just to secure a better future for them.

I never expected to be rewarded with this.

Honestly, I had heard rumors while I was still abroad. A colleague back home had dropped a hint in an email.

At the time, I refused to believe it. I chose to trust Juliet, convincing myself she was just gaining weight.

I finished my project two weeks early and rushed home, eager to surprise her. It was only when I saw her giant belly with my own eyes that my heart completely died.

At this moment, there was no anger left in me. Only endless disappointment.

Knowing she was in the wrong, Juliet poured a glass of water and handed it to me nervously.

"Alex... have some water first."

I took the glass and said quietly, "You're heavily pregnant. Don't stand for too long. Sit down."

Seeing how calm I was, the tension in her shoulders visibly relaxed.

She awkwardly sat down next to me, supporting her heavy belly.

I took a sip of water and continued, "Since you're pregnant, I won't stand in the way of you and Leo.

He isn't married anyway. Once our divorce goes through, you can go live with him."

Hearing this, Juliet's face instantly flushed with anger.

"Alex, what is that supposed to mean?" She stared at me, her voice rising.

"Are you abandoning me? I've been with you since I was twenty! I stayed by your side when you had nothing!

I've sacrificed so much for this family! How can you just bring up divorce so easily?"

She was right. We had a history.

But all those years of building a life together couldn't survive two years of loneliness.

It was pathetic.

I turned to Kate, who was watching TV nearby. "Kate, if Mommy and I get a divorce, who do you want to live with?"

Without even looking at me, Kate answered instantly:

"Mommy! If you and Mommy divorce, she can marry Leo.

Then I can finally call Leo 'Daddy.' I’ve wanted to call him that for a long time!"

It was exactly the answer I expected, yet it still stung a little.

I nodded. "Okay. You'll get your wish."

I stood up, ignored Juliet’s attempts to grab me, dragged my suitcase, and walked right out of the house.

I went straight to a local bar and called up a few close friends I hadn't seen in two years.

At the table, my friends teased me, "The first thing you do when you get back isn't hugging your wife, but drinking with us? What's up with that?"

I downed a shot of whiskey and said in a hoarse voice, "Juliet cheated on me."

My friends froze, exchanging glances.

One friend, who had heard some rumors, asked hesitantly, "I heard Juliet is pregnant... Is it true?"

"Yeah. It's her childhood friend's baby."

The entire table went dead silent. The atmosphere became heavy.

I kept pouring drinks, desperately trying to numb my brain with alcohol.

Halfway through the night, Juliet called.

I answered groggily. Her sharp, lecturing voice blasted through the speaker:

"Alex, can you stop throwing a tantrum?

We haven't seen each other in two years, and you walk in, give me attitude, and pull this running-away-from-home stunt? Are you a child?"

Kate's sweet voice came from beside her:

"Mommy, stop calling Daddy! If he wants to leave, let him!

We did perfectly fine without him for two years anyway!"

Without saying a word, I hung up.

They were right. They did perfectly fine without me.