Chapter 1

"Thank you for all your guidance over the years, Sam. I'll always remember it."

I handed over my resignation letter.

Sam Maulner, my supervisor, took it, glanced down, then looked up at me, stunned. "You're quitting?"

I nodded, my expression calm. "I'm changing jobs. I don't want to be a legal assistant anymore. And… my baby's father is abroad. I'm going to find him."

Sam was silent for a beat, then blurted out, "I thought your baby's father was dead…"

He caught himself instantly, an awkward laugh slipping out. "Sorry, that was a slip."

Then his face softened, a reluctant look rising to the surface. "It's a shame. You're so good at what you do. Why not stay?"

I shook my head and gave her a faint smile.

Truth was, my baby's father might as well be dead. And no matter how capable I was, I was still just someone's assistant.

After a few more polite exchanges, he agreed to the resignation, and I began handing over my work to my colleagues.

In the break room, I saw Nate with his childhood sweetheart, Selena. They were speaking softly, intimately.

Nate was the founder of this law firm. He was my boss. He was also my daughter's father.

Eight years ago, I joined the firm fresh out of school and became his assistant. At a company banquet, we drank too much, ended up spending the night together. I got pregnant.

He married me because of that, but it was a secret marriage.

He never liked me. And because of that, he never liked our daughter either. He didn't allow her to call him "Dad."

Selena, on the other hand, had always been special. They were childhood friends, deeply bonded.

The two of them sat there, practically fused together—her hand looped through his arm, her body leaning softly into his.

He looked down at her and smiled gently. From where I stood, it looked like he was about to kiss her on the forehead.

They were so bold, so unrestrained—doing this in the office, as if no one else existed.

I couldn't help myself. I walked over. Softly, I called his name. "Nate…"

He looked up, his gaze cold and questioning. "Is there something you need, Christine?"

His tone was formal, distant, as if reminding me that I was just his assistant.

I pushed my emotions back down and lowered my head slightly. "No, sir. I was just getting some water. Saw you and thought I'd say hello."

He gave a short response, then seemed to remember something. His expression turned serious.

"Right. Hand over the financial law case you've been working on to Selena."

I froze. My tone slipped before I could stop it. "But I'm almost done. We're about to sign the contract."

His brows furrowed. He clearly didn't like that. "I said give it to her. Why are you talking back?"

Then he stood and walked away without giving me a chance to respond.

"I'll handle it well. Thank you for your hard work, Christine." Selena smiled smugly at me and followed close behind him.

I smiled coldly.

What a lovely little scene.

That case would bring in a generous commission once the contract was signed. By handing it to Selena, Nate was handing her the bonus too.

How many times had this happened?

I'd lost count.

No matter how hard I worked, no matter what I achieved, he ignored it. He'd willingly strip the credit from me and hand it to someone else, all to win Selena's smile.

Pathetic.

That night, my daughter clung to me, asking cautiously, "Mommy… will Daddy come to the sports day tomorrow? And my birthday?"

I didn't know what to say.

I called Nate. I even texted him.

He didn't reply.

But on Selena's social media, I saw him sitting beside her at the movies, smiling.

The comment section was full of hearts and compliments.

[You two look so perfect together!]

[You two should get married this year!]

I swallowed down the bitterness and waited for his reply. But all night, he didn't come home. He didn't send a single word.

I got drunk alone. Even knowing his heart was never with me or the child, I still held on to this delusion.

How foolish.

If there's no love, why keep holding on?

Nate, I'm setting you free.