Chapter 3

"You really are a terrible stepdad. No wonder my classmates said your true colors would show sooner or later. I don't need anything from you. Once Dad's back, he'll take me to school every day."

When she mentioned William, her eyes practically sparkled. "Dad is the best person in the world! His breakfasts are a million times better than yours. Once he's back, I'll make Mom kick you out of the house!"

For five years, I had handled everything for her. I took care of her clothes, her meals, her daily necessities, and I even stayed by her side when she was hospitalized. She never said a single word of thanks.

She had barely even met William. They had only spoken a few times on the phone, but a handful of his sweet words were enough for her to come up with a thousand reasons to think he was perfect.

When I saw the hope in Sarah's eyes, I stayed silent. She wasn't going to get what she wanted.

William had been too afraid of struggling to stick around. He abandoned his own daughter just to get divorced, and now, he was back with his own motives. How could he possibly care about her?

However, that wasn't my problem anymore.

Sarah opened the front door and called for the driver to take her to school. I finished my meal and started packing, wiping away five years of memories from the house.

Once everything was packed, a dull ache spread through my stomach. I gritted my teeth, grabbed my suitcase, and headed for the door.

Just then, Clara returned with Sarah and stood squarely in my way.

She lowered her gaze to my suitcase and asked coldly, "Where are you going?"

I instinctively stepped back and said sharply, "Can't you see? I'm leaving."

Her eyes swept across the empty living room behind me. Every vase, painting, and bottle I had bought over the years had been packed or thrown out.

Her face darkened.

"I said it this morning," she snapped. "William doesn't affect your place here. He's at the airport. Did I even mention divorce today? I also told you there's no need to try so hard to get my attention.

"Once the agreement expires, we can pay to extend it. Why are you making a fuss? You're going to buy back all the things you threw out today by tomorrow. I want my home just like it was the last few years."

I looked at her. "Clara, if you're still hung up on your ex, divorcing me is the only way for you to have a future with him."

If she couldn't let go of her ex, why was she angry that I was making way for them?

She yanked the suitcase from my hands. "If I need a future with him, I don't need your generosity."

Sarah pouted and mumbled, "Today I get to see Dad! I don't have to stay with the bad guy!"

Clara brought Sarah over and scolded me. "See? Sarah said you didn't give her breakfast this morning. She was so hungry she ate her classmate's sandwich, and now her lips are swollen and sore.

"Bruce, even if Sarah isn't your biological daughter, couldn't you at least try? Look at her now. How am I supposed to explain this to William?"

No wonder Clara had rushed back with Sarah. She was here to confront me.

I lowered my gaze to Sarah's lips, which were swollen like tiny sausages.

"She's having an allergic reaction," I said.

Clara's eyes widened. "An allergy? To what?"

Even now, she didn't know. Sarah had always had a sensitive stomach and reacted to many allergens. A little redness or swelling was nothing unusual.

When we first got married, the Sterling family was struggling financially, and Sarah often had digestive issues or allergic reactions from eating my food.