Chapter 1

After my son was put to sleep, Fiona tucked in his blanket.

"William, you go to Marcus's parent-teacher conference tomorrow by yourself. I'm not going."

I froze. Her tone was helpless.

"Thiago's son also has a parent-teacher conference tomorrow. As his biological mother, I've already been absent for eight years. I can't miss it this time."

My mind was buzzing. "What did you say?"

Thiago was Fiona's brother-in-law...

Fiona took my hand, smiling gently.

"I've neglected them both, father and son, for so many years. Don't compete with them this time. If Marcus's teacher asks, just tell them we're divorced."

She smiled and ruffled my hair, then turned to go to the study to make a phone call.

I stood in the living room, my heart sinking to the bottom in an instant.

Fiona, you're right.

I really should get divorced...

When Fiona came out of the study, I was still standing in the living room.

My legs had gone numb, but I couldn't feel a thing.

She picked up the car keys, as if suddenly remembering something.

"Tomorrow, buy a gift for Matias. It's the boy's birthday. As his mother, I haven't given him anything in all these years. I don't know what he likes."

I looked up at her.

"When did you get together with him?"

She paused, glanced at me, and smiled.

"When you were hospitalized after your car accident."

With that, Fiona walked over, her eyes full of amusement.

"You weren't able to back then. Thiago saw how hard things were for me and came to take care of me. My sister had just passed away at the time and had no children. Thiago just wanted a child."

"Matias is my son, and he's my obligation to Thiago."

My nails dug into my palms.

I had imagined every possibility—the seven-year itch, or when I quit my job to stay home with Marcus.

I'd even found excuses in my mind, thinking she was tired of the monotony and wanted excitement.

But I never expected it to be at the most impossible time...

When I was hospitalized, Fiona showed no signs of anything wrong.

Back then, I was hit by a car protecting her and nearly died.

After I finally got out of danger, she came to the hospital every day after work to see me, helped wash my body, got up in the middle of the night to check on me, and held my hand every day telling me she'd stay with me forever.

At that time, I thought I was the happiest man in the world, thought that love was impossible to hide.

Turns out, it was just guilt after an affair.

Seeing the tears in my eyes, Fiona's voice softened.

"Come on, William. Thiago won't compete with you. You're still my husband. We'll just live our separate lives. Isn't that fine?"

I looked at her.

There was no guilt on her face, no panic, just a sort of frankness.

"Fiona, let's get divorced. Marcus stays with me."

I didn't cry or make a scene. My voice was calm.

Fiona was stunned for a moment, then laughed, as if looking at a child throwing a tantrum.

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

She looked at me helplessly. "Marcus has everything he needs now. Where are you going to take him? Make him live in a rental apartment with you? Turn him into a wild child with a dead father and crazy mother like you?"

My blood froze instantly.

Wild child. She knew how much I hated those two words.

In school as a child, classmates chased me calling me "bastard," "son of a rapist and murderer."

I hid in a bathroom stall, not daring to come out.

It was Fiona who kicked the door open, beat those people down, and led me out by the hand.

She said, whoever bullies you in the future, I'll kill them.

She clearly knew my mother was raped and gave birth to me, went crazy and killed my dad—it was the deepest pain of my life!

But now this knife stabbing me deepest was one I handed to her myself...

"I'll pretend you said that out of anger just now."

Fiona's tone was gentle, as if soothing me.

I opened my mouth but couldn't speak.

She touched my face. "Take Marcus out to play tomorrow. Don't go to the parent-teacher conference, so you won't be asked questions. The card is on the table. The password is your birthday."

With that, she turned and left.

The sound of the door closing was soft, as if afraid to wake Marcus.

I stood in the living room, looking at the supplementary card on the table.

Black, no limit. She'd given me many over the years. Each time was after doing something guilty.

I picked up that card and walked to Marcus's room.

He was sleeping soundly, hugging his teddy bear, a smile still on his lips.

Earlier today, he said he wanted to wear new clothes to the parent-teacher conference tomorrow, to show his classmates how beautiful his mother was.

Fiona was very busy at work. This parent-teacher conference was time I'd worked so hard to get her to set aside.

I sat by the bed, gently stroking his hair.

Marcus, mom won't come to the parent-teacher conference tomorrow, but dad will always be here.

I took out my phone and found a contact I hadn't reached out to in a long time.

I edited a message and hit send.