Chapter 2

Claire had never cared about her pregnancy, so the child she gave birth to was not healthy.

I had to rush Ellie to the hospital every few days.

The medical reimbursements Claire provided were never paid on time.

Yesterday, the entire city was hit by a torrential storm.

Ellie once again fell unconscious after suffering a high fever and seizure.

The hospital refused to begin emergency treatment because the unpaid medical bills had not been settled.

I was desperate, and I forgot about the agreement we had made regarding our secret marriage.

I ran through the rain all the way to the set where Claire’s latest drama was holding its wrap party.

When I arrived, drenched in mud and looking utterly pathetic in nothing but a pair of slippers, Claire only stared at me coldly as I desperately tried to explain our daughter’s condition through broken, frantic words.

“Sorry, I don’t know you. Xavier is my fiancé.”

Her professionalism as an actress allowed Claire to keep a graceful smile on her face the entire time.

In that instant, her icy voice struck me like thunder on a stormy night.

It left me standing there, completely shattered.

Then, every memory I shared with her flashed before my eyes.

It finally stopped on the moment when she gently covered Xavier’s mouth and nose with her hand.

They both thought I was dirty.

How ironic.

After nine years of marriage, Claire remained the untouchable star everyone admired, while I had already fallen deep into the mud.

…

The moment I received Ellie’s death certificate from the doctor, Claire called.

I thought she had heard from the finance manager and was calling to discuss our divorce.

I did not expect that after I answered, all I heard was her lazy, hungover voice.

“What? I just gave you some money, and now you’ve learned how to stay out all night?

“You didn’t even make breakfast. Are you trying to starve me?

“You have fifteen minutes. Get back here now, or don’t bother coming home.”

Claire did not give me any chance to refuse.

She simply hung up.

I looked up at the sky.

For the first time, I felt how completely I had failed in these ten years of my life.

Even the final request I made after my heart had already died was not important enough for anyone to care about.

Since I had no money left, it took me two hours to walk home from the hospital.

When I opened the door, a warm and loving scene appeared before me.

A scene that was both cruel and completely expected.

Xavier, dressed in casual home clothes, sat across from Claire, spooning food into her bowl.

Claire held her spoon and accepted everything without hesitation.

It was just a bowl of plain oatmeal and berries, yet she ate it as though it were a gourmet feast.

Compared to the way she always nitpicked and criticized every meal I cooked, I finally realized Claire’s dissatisfaction and impossible standards had only ever been meant for me.

I had no desire to interrupt their happiness. I only wanted to leave as soon as possible.

My daughter was gone, and I still had her funeral arrangements to handle. I had no time to waste on people who no longer mattered.

“You finally decided to come back?”

Claire’s cold, mocking voice came from behind me.

“I thought you were planning to die outside.”

I turned around and glanced at her indifferently.

I had no intention of speaking.

“Gideon, you’re back?

“My friend saw you at a bar last night. I never expected someone your age could still find four or five women in one night.”

Xavier gave me a gentle smile.

Hidden in his eyes was a provocation that only another man could understand.

“Claire works hard for her money. You can’t keep using the child as an excuse to take money from her, right? She must be so worried.

“Since you enjoy being a stay-at-home husband and taking care of her, why don’t you manage all her money from now on?”

Without a trace of anger in my eyes, I looked at him sincerely and replied, “Sure.”

Xavier froze for a moment.

I turned around and walked into the bedroom to pack my belongings.

Crash!

A crystal glass shattered violently against the bedroom door.

“Claire! Calm down!

“Gideon is probably just exhausted after being out all night. Let him sleep first. You two can talk things out when he wakes up.”