Chapter 1 Not Worth It Anymore

When I woke up, the sharp smell of disinfectant filled my nose. Every inch of my body ached, and my head was foggy with exhaustion and fever.

It was only after asking a nurse that I found out—I had collapsed outside my front door the night before, and it was a neighbor who had called an ambulance and gotten me to the hospital.

Suddenly, my daughter's voice echoed in my head. 'Uncle Skyler…'

The man was none other than Skyler Shire, Selena Sorrell's first love.

It was around noon, and the hospital room buzzed occasionally with the sounds of other patients chatting with visiting family. My bedside, however, remained empty.

After a long silence, I gave in and tried calling Selena. As expected, she didn't pick up.

So I opened Instagram. She had just posted an update. 'Enjoying the holiday with the ones I love.'

In the photo, Selena and Skyler stood on either side of my daughter, each with an arm around her. All three were smiling brightly at the camera, holding up little flags. It was the perfect picture of a happy family.

A bitter smile tugged at the corner of my lips. To say I didn't feel hurt would be a lie. But moments like this had become so common that I was numb to them. I even gave the post a like before setting my phone down.

The whole time I stayed in the hospital, Selena and my daughter were out having fun with Skyler. By the time I was discharged, I was still alone, quietly packing my things and heading back home by myself.

The moment I opened the front door, laughter and chatter echoed from inside.

Selena and Evie were lounging on the sofa, surrounded by stacks of beautifully wrapped gift boxes. Expensive. Lavish. When they saw me walk in, their expressions instantly changed—faces cold, aloof, as if I were some unwelcome guest.

In the past, I would have pretended nothing was wrong. I would have tried to make conversation, to smooth things over. But now I was too tired—both physically and emotionally. I didn't have anything left to give.

Selena sat cross-legged on the couch, glaring at me. "Where the hell have you been, Colin? You disappeared for days without a single message, and now you just waltz back in? What kind of father are you?"

I stared at her, confused. She must have been so caught up playing house with Skyler and our daughter that she hadn't seen the dozens of calls I left. But that was how it always was. Somehow, no matter what happened, I ended up the bad guy.

So I didn't bother arguing. There was no point, after all.

My silence only made her more convinced that I was being unreasonable. She shot me a look full of disdain, casually admiring her freshly done nails. "Colin, what are you even throwing a tantrum for? Just because Evie and I didn't go on vacation with you? Seriously?"

Seriously? Yes, seriously.

"That day, Skyler just happened to invite us to dinner. We missed the flight, that's all. He doesn't have anyone else here—I was just keeping him company. You're a grown man. Why are you being so petty?"

"He doesn't have anyone?"

What about me, then? My parents died young. I've been on my own just as much.

I looked at the woman I had loved for over a decade and felt like I didn't know her at all. Ten years of giving everything I had… and for what?

Even Evie jumped in to defend her. The disgust on her face was plain as day. "Daddy, you're so stingy and mean! You're nothing like Uncle Skyler—he's kind and generous! Look, all these are gifts from him! You only make Mommy mad. I don't like you anymore! I want Uncle Skyler to be my daddy!"

This was the little girl I had cherished, protected, and spoiled in every way I knew how. And now, to her, I didn't even matter as much as a stranger.

How ridiculous.

The human heart could only take so much. Hurt it enough times, and it would go numb. If this was how the two of them saw me, then so be it. I would let them have what they wanted.

Without hesitation, I pulled out the divorce papers from my bag and placed them in front of Selena. "Let's get a divorce."

Then, I turned to Evie, who was pouting and on the verge of tears. "That way, you'll have your new daddy."