Chapter 2

"You can't fool me, okay? I've already given you a son and a daughter. I really don't want any more kids.

"If you truly love me, you need to go through with this. And you need the doctor to provide proof that you'll never be able to have children again!" Iris demanded.

I didn't need to listen closely to know what was happening on the other end.

The fire in my chest surged upward, and I opened my mouth to confront her. But the words caught in my throat, and I forced them back down.

Now wasn't the time to show my hand. They'd planned this too carefully, and confronting them directly would only hurt me.

I clenched my jaw and forced down the rage burning inside me. "It's done. You don't need to worry."

Iris' voice immediately brightened with excitement, her tone dripping with joy. "I knew you loved me the most, honey! When you get home, I'll make it worth your while."

With that, she hurriedly hung up. I swallowed the fire in my chest and drove home.

The moment I pushed open the door, I heard my two children's cheerful chatter echoing from the living room. They seemed to be discussing something, their laughter filling the space.

They heard the sound and instinctively turned around, calling out "Daddy" in unison. But when they saw it was me standing in the doorway, the smiles on their faces instantly collapsed.

They pressed their lips together, disappointment clouding their eyes. They didn't even take a step toward me. Instead, they turned back to each other and continued whispering as if I were just some irrelevant stranger.

A sharp pain pierced my chest as I watched them. It had always been this way. No matter how hard I tried with the kids, I never got anything back from them.

But whenever Mason was around, even if he did nothing at all, the children would flock to him.

I'd felt hurt by this before—jealous, even. But Iris always reassured me, saying that young children were often like this with their fathers and that things would get better when they grew up and understood more.

Now, thinking back, I couldn't help but laugh bitterly at myself.

I'd been too stupid. All these little details had revealed everything long ago, but I'd kept lying to myself, refusing to look closer.

In the past, even when the kids were cold to me, I would still walk over with a smile and pull out gifts I'd prepared in advance to cheer them up. Even when they threw tantrums, I never had the heart to scold them.

But now, I didn't even glance their way. I ignored them completely, changed my shoes, walked into the living room, and sat down on the couch.

Not long after, the bedroom door opened, and Iris walked out. Her hair was still damp, clinging to her neck, and she carried a complex mix of scents.

I didn't need to think hard to know what had happened here while I was at the hospital waiting for my surgery. When she saw me, she smiled at once and turned to the nanny nearby.

"Jane, take the kids down to the garden to play for a bit. Keep them safe."

Jane Elsher nodded and led the two reluctant children out the door. The living room fell silent.

Iris walked over to me, leaning in slightly. Her warm breath brushed against my ear.

"Honey, I prepared a surprise for you. Come to the bedroom with me, okay?"

I glanced up at her, stayed silent for a few seconds, then stood and followed her into the bedroom. The moment we stepped inside, Iris reached up and untied the sash of her bathrobe.

The robe slipped off, revealing the bunny costume underneath. The tight outfit traced every curve of her body. The flower-shaped birthmark on her shoulder, once so delicate to me, now felt blindingly offensive.

In the past, seeing her like this would have stirred something in me. But today, my stomach churned. A wave of nausea hit me, and I instinctively furrowed my brow.

"I just had surgery. I'm not up for it," I said in a flat tone.

The smile on Iris's face froze for a moment. A flicker of disappointment crossed her eyes before she plastered on a concerned expression and stepped closer.

When I didn't move, she didn't get angry. Instead, she spoke softly, trying to comfort me.

"It's okay. I know you might feel uncomfortable right after the surgery. Just bear with it for a little while.

"The doctor said it wouldn't affect anything, right? I just really want you right now..."

Sensing my coldness, Iris paused. She turned and pulled a box from the drawer, holding it out to me.