Chapter 1

The phone call went dead instantly.

The lovemaking noises behind the door stopped as well.

The classroom was dimly lit. The air reeked of alcohol mixed with something foul, making my stomach churn.

My wife, Sandra Wren, stood in front of me wearing nothing but a slip dress, guilt written all over her face.

The other man was barely dressed. He sat on the couch arrogantly, looking at me with a smug and mocking gaze.

It was Kian Yale, Sandra's childhood sweetheart. On the surface, he ran a glamorous bar. In reality, it operated in the gray.

"Sandra, is your idea of childcare having another illegitimate child for me to bring up?" I asked icily.

Sandra's face paled as she lowered her head in silence.

Kian pulled her into his arms right in front of me, boldly placing his hands on her lap.

"Oh, who do we have here? It's our big sponsor. The only good for nothing but paying husband," he said mockingly, his gaze sizing me up.

"Babe, your husband's card is really useful. You've been using it to have fun with me here every day. Way more interesting than using it for your burden of a daughter, isn't it?"

Rage burned in my heart.

I glared at Sandra and asked through gritted teeth, "Where's Annie?"

My question was like a fuse.

She suddenly shoved Kian away and stood up from the couch, her chest heaving from the anger and embarrassment.

"How dare you ask about Annie? You're always away. When have you ever cared for me or this family? Do you know how tiring it is to raise a kid on my own? Do you know how lonely I get?"

She pointed at Kian behind her, a twisted pride on her face.

"Only Kian understands me! He's a million times better than you!"

I found it strange yet comical looking at her distorted face.

The next second, Sandra, seemingly thought of something, turned to pick up her bag on the couch.

"You like money a lot, don't you? You're willing to sacrifice your wife and daughter for money, right?"

She sneered and flung crisp bills at me, one after the other.

"Take this money and get lost!"

Kian slowly stood up, casually straightening his wrinkled shirt, leaving the buttons undone, exposing the faint red marks on his skin.

He walked over to Sandra and pulled her into his arms with practiced ease.

"Babe, why are you getting so worked up over a robot who only knows how to make money?"

He looked past Sandra at me with a teasing glance.

"You're working so hard. The money you've earned is just for us to spend, right?"

He lowered his head and deliberately planted a hickey on her neck, staking his claim right in front of me.

Then, ignoring me, they left together intimately, leaving me alone in the room looking like a joke.

I found Annie at the entrance to the hospital. She was there alone amid the bustling crowd, her little face flushed red with fever, looking around in confusion, helpless.

I rushed over and pulled her into my arms. My voice trembled.

"Annie! Why are you here alone?"

The moment she saw me, Annie burst into tears.

"Daddy, y-you once said that if I'm feeling unwell, I should go to the hospital. Mommy wasn't at home. I had no way to contact her. Daddy, I feel terrible…"

My heart broke into a million pieces. I quickly picked Annie up.

Annie had a genetic illness. That sudden episode meant she needed to be hospitalized for further examination.