Chapter 2

Unfortunately, the adult world isn't that simple.

After dinner, I saw Victoria's girlfriend post on Twitter and couldn't help raising my eyebrows.

Although the photo of trying on the wedding dress didn't show the face, that little red mole on the neck—Victoria had one too.

The photo of intertwined fingers with a man clearly showed the mark of a ring on the ring finger.

The watch the man wore—I'd seen it before. It belonged to Osman.

The caption read: "The moon I missed will always come back to illuminate me once more."

That phrase seemed familiar.

I rushed into the study and moved Victoria's computer. Underneath was a notebook.

The moment I opened it, that exact phrase jumped out at me.

All signs indicated this account wasn't some girlfriend's, but Victoria's own.

"Scandinavian trip."

"The fictional girlfriend's wedding and Twitter account."

"Victoria, to deceive me, for Osman's sake, you could come up with such absurd tricks."

I muttered to myself and picked up my phone to send a message.

[Save me a partner spot.]

[Also, have your lawyer draft a divorce agreement for me.]

A few months ago, my childhood friend Brennan invited me to start a business in Scandinavia, offering me 30% equity without requiring a penny of investment.

The other two partners agreed because they valued my abilities.

But I had a wife and child and just wanted stability, so I kept refusing.

Now it's time to let loose.

Close to midnight, Victoria came home drunk. She wasn't carrying any gifts. Instead, her hair was wet and stuck to her cheeks, and her black stockings under her red dress had several holes.

She looked completely disheveled.

"Collins, why aren't you asleep yet? Were you waiting for me? You naughty man, you just love wearing me out."

She flashed me a seductive smile and went straight to the bathroom.

In the past, she would always hug me first.

At this thought, my heart sank.

Suddenly, I heard sobbing and hurried to Diego's room.

"What's wrong? Bad dream?"

Diego shook his head, his little finger pointing at his phone screen.

I looked down—it was a Twitter post from Osman's daughter, Millia.

Millia was sitting at a pink piano, hugging a tablet computer, smiling happily.

Caption: [Thank you to the best mom in the world for giving me a custom limited-edition piano.]

"Dad."

"I saw this piano on Mom's computer, and that tablet too."

One aggrieved sentence nearly shattered my psychological defenses.

I finally understood why Diego was crying.

Usually, Victoria would say, "Boys should be raised frugally so they don't become spendthrifts later."

So she was very strict with Diego, almost never buying him the toys he wanted.

Even this phone was my old one I secretly gave Diego. I would also secretly take Diego out to play.

Every time Victoria found out, she would get angry with me.

That's why she used the toy car to buy Diego's silence.

And today before leaving, she said she would bring gifts for Diego and me, but came back empty-handed.

Deceiving and tricking me was one thing.

But how could she shower someone else's daughter with love, giving her everything she wants, while being harsh and deceptive to her own son?

"Be good, I'll buy them for you."

I comforted Diego, coaxed him to sleep, then returned to the living room and sat on the sofa.

Waiting for Victoria to come out.

Suppressing my anger, I asked, "Didn't you say you'd bring Diego a gift?"

"I forgot, I forgot."

Victoria smiled awkwardly and snuggled into my arms. "I'll buy it for him next time. Boys should be raised frugally anyway."