Chapter 5

To avoid suspicion and out of guilt toward me, Naomi stopped working for the past few days and stopped seeing Avery.

Unexpectedly, just as I was about to leave, she suddenly transformed back into the sweet, devoted woman she had been when we first got together. Every day she stayed home and made desserts for Peyton and me.

Except...

I spat out the first bite.

Peyton wrinkled her nose. "Mommy, you put in too much sugar!"

I watched Naomi's embarrassed smile and set down my spoon indifferently. "It's fine. Thanks for the effort."

Her mind was still on Avery, so of course she was distracted while baking.

On the third day of the countdown, Naomi asked me to attend Sunday's press conference with her to help clear up her relationship with Avery.

I readily agreed.

After Avery failed to meet with Naomi several times, he turned his attention to me. So on the second to last day, I received an anonymous email.

Inside were intimate photos and videos of Naomi and Avery. I looked through them one by one until I reached the last one.

The three of them were on a Ferris wheel at an amusement park. Under a sky full of fireworks, my wife said to him, "Honey, I love you."

My daughter laughed and threw herself into his arms. "Daddy, I'm so glad I have you!"

I thought I heard something shatter. I had already decided to let go, to leave, but my chest tightened until I could barely breathe.

Then a phone call came through. I pressed the record button and answered.

"Mr. Gatlin, Naomi loves me. If you have any sense, you'll leave her and let us be together."

It was Avery, unable to wait any longer.

My voice came out hoarse. "So you're admitting you're the other man?"

Avery replied arrogantly, "So what if I am? Even if you're Naomi's husband, her heart belongs to me. We're truly in love."

I hung up, packaged the audio file along with all the photos and videos from the email, and sent everything to the biggest entertainment gossip reporter in the country.

"Sunday afternoon. Please release it on time."

Sunday arrived quickly. It was the day of the press conference and also my last day.

Naomi got dressed early and waited for me in the living room with Peyton. I made an excuse about not feeling well and told them to go to the venue ahead of me. Though she hesitated, there was no time left, so she had no choice but to do as I said.

As she reached the door, I watched her figure as she left, and a mix of emotions stirred in my chest.

This woman who had been by my side for ten years… To say I felt nothing for her anymore was impossible.

I could not stop myself from calling her name. "Naomi."

She turned back with a smile. "Honey, what is it?"

Honey...

The image of her calling Avery honey flashed through my mind instantly.

I clenched my fists, shook my head, and gave her a gentle smile. "It’s nothing. Drive safe."

Her eyes crinkled at the corners. "Okay. See you soon."

Peyton waved at me too. "Daddy, come quick, okay?"

I nodded and watched them leave. We would never see each other again.

The scheduled courier arrived on time, and I sent all the packed boxes to Avery.

On the shipping label, I left a note. "My wife and daughter are yours now too."

Afterward, I went to the backyard and burned everything I had left in one clean fire.

When I finished, I sat down on the couch, closed my eyes, and called out to the system.

"System, take me away."

A flash of white light passed, and I felt my soul rise into the air.

Looking down at the body on the bed, lips curved in a faint smile, no longer breathing, I suddenly felt lighter.

I was finally free.