Chapter 5

After Bryan returned, Gwyneth kept none of those promises.

I pushed down the bitterness rising in my chest. I wanted this farce to end as soon as possible.

"Nick, I do love you." When my expression remained blank, Gwyneth hurried to add, "Whether you believe me or not, my love for you and our child has never changed."

I listened and let out a quiet laugh.

"Your love for us has never changed?" I stepped closer and lowered my voice. "Ms. Sullivan, have you told so many lies that you forgot whose child is actually yours?"

She froze. Then she seemed to remember that Bryan and his parents were still there. Her expression hardened as she prepared to challenge me.

I raised a hand and cut her off. "Relax. I'm leaving now. I won't interrupt your family reunion."

The moment he heard that Gwyneth was sending me away, Bryan suddenly decided Sam was perfectly fine. He stopped insisting on the hospital. Instead, he even urged Gwyneth, in a considerate tone, to help me pack.

I let out a cold laugh and pointed toward the bedroom. "My luggage is already packed. I can leave right now."

Shock flashed across Gwyneth's face. By then, I had already put on my coat.

I went into the bedroom, lifted Prudence from the crib, and walked toward the door. "I had planned to let your mother help take care of the child for a while."

Relief flooded her face. She hurried after me and even called a taxi.

I knew why. Her car was already filled with Bryan's belongings. There was no space left for me.

I sat in the back of the taxi and watched the villa where I had lived for three years shrink behind us. I felt no attachment.

The car remained quiet. I closed my eyes as exhaustion settled over me. It felt as though I had just woken from a very long dream. A dream long enough to replay the first half of my life.

Loving her had taken up a third of it. Seeing who she truly was took only three months. Once I understood, the love vanished.

The taxi stopped in front of Hilda's house. Just as I opened the door to step out, a message from Gwyneth appeared on my phone.

Gwyneth: [Nick, wait a few more months for me. I will come get you. Once Bryan's situation is settled, I will clear your name and our daughter's. When that day comes, the three of us will never be separated again.]

I read her firm promises and gave a faint smile. I did not reply.

With one arm holding my daughter and the other pulling my suitcase, I walked toward her mother's house.

No disappointment remained. No compromise either. Only relief.

"Goodbye, Gwyneth," I muttered.

This was the last time we would ever see each other. From this moment on, we would have nothing to do with each other. Congratulations on losing me.

The next day, I boarded a plane. I knew that once I left, I would never return.

At the same time…

Gwyneth prepared to board her own flight when her phone rang. A friend was calling.

"Gwen, congratulations. Looks like you finally got rid of that burden at home."

Gwyneth's expression changed. She frowned. "What do you mean?"

Her friend paused, clearly surprised by the question. "You don't know? I just saw Nicholas at the airport. He brought that bastard child with him. They are about to board."

A chill ran through Gwyneth's body, as though someone had poured a bucket of ice water over her head. Her hand trembled as she ended the call. She did not pause to think.

She ignored Bryan, who urged her to board. Instead, she turned and ran through the airport, searching frantically.