Chapter 3

“It’s all here,” Lydia said as she carried a huge plastic box over.

The box was filled with all the heartwarming memories captured between Joseph, Chloe, and Rachel over the past six years.

They truly looked like a happy family of three.

Joseph returned to his bedroom, cut himself out of every single photo, and burned it all up.

After that, he drove to the TV station. He went straight to the backstage and came out half an hour later dressed in a black suit, heading straight for the broadcasting studio.

“Hello, everyone. I am the host of “New Sights,” Joseph Quinn…”

After the recording of the show was done, Joseph rubbed his sore neck and returned to the lounge room with the news script in hand.

“Joseph, are you sure this guy can take over your subsequent projects?” Percy Klein, the deputy director, handed him a resume. “Is he a distant relative of yours?”

Joseph looked at Stephen’s passport photo on the resume, not at all surprised. “I think so.”

“Alright then…” Percy left sulkily.

The wholly-owned parent company behind Pearl TV station was Gibson Group. It was understandable for a TV program to have its host determined beforehand.

Just then, Joseph’s phone rang.

Chloe’s gentle voice sounded on the other end of the line. “Honey, I have a last-minute business trip scheduled and won’t be going home for the next few days. Let’s celebrate our anniversary after I’m back.”

Before she could say anything further, Rachel’s voice sounded. “Daddy, I really want to go with Mommy. Can you help me ask for leave from my kindergarten?”

Joseph nodded. “Did you bring your clothes?”

“Yes, I did!” Rachel squealed excitedly. “I’ll miss you, Daddy!”

They hung up.

Joseph spent the next few days alone.

Before he retired for the night, he received a private message on the backend of his social media account.

[Hi Joseph, I really enjoy watching “New Sights” that you host. I’m your loyal fan.]

The profile picture looked very familiar.

Joseph clicked on it and realized that the side profile resembled that of Stephen.

Coincidentally, this account user posted on his own page just a few minutes ago.

[Thank you to my big and small darling for celebrating my birthday. Feels so good surrounded by love…]

In the photo that accompanied the post, Chloe and Rachel were hugging a man as they gave him a kiss on each cheek.

The man was indeed Stephen Brooks.

There was cream on the tip of his nose, and he was smiling so blissfully. There were a few other photos he shared in the post.

One of it was of Chloe blowing his hair while in silk pajamas.

Another one was of a luxury mechanical watch and exquisite dishes.

There was even a photo of a drawing Rachel made.

It was a drawing of three people watching the sunset with the words “Daddy, Mommy and Me” scribbled on it.

The so-called business trip Chloe mentioned was in fact a birthday celebration for Stephen.

Joseph had thought that he was numb to all this.

But when he saw the two people he had given all his love to over the last six years hug another man so intimately, he couldn’t help but feel a nagging pain in his chest.

-

The next afternoon, Chloe and Rachel returned home.

They brought back many things, including some luxury items and even some local delicacies.

“Daddy, I missed you so much these few days I couldn’t sleep at night…” Chloe leaped into his arms with tears in her eyes. “Had I known, I wouldn’t have gone overseas with Mommy…”

She sobbed.

Joseph looked at the little girl in his arms, suddenly finding her so unfamiliar.

“Have you thought of how to celebrate our anniversary?” Chloe walked over and lovingly put her head on his shoulder.

“Anything is fine,” Joseph said. He thought about it for a moment before saying, “I also have a surprise for you, but it hasn’t arrived yet.”

“I’ll adore whatever you give me,” Chloe said as she kissed his forehead. “I remember you being interested in camping a while back. Do you still want to go for that? I can go with you.”