Chapter 4

The next day, I dressed Mia in a brand-new red princess dress.

Her favorite color.

"Daddy, is Mommy really coming to my birthday tonight?" Mia sat on the hospital bed, her eyes bright with hope.

"She promised." I stroked her hair, my heart bleeding.

At seven, I filled the room with balloons and set a chocolate cake on the table.

Seven-thirty. Victoria didn't come.

Eight. Still nothing.

Mia stared at the door without blinking.

Eight-thirty. I called.

The phone rang a long time before she picked up. Background noise: laughter, clinking glasses.

"Hello? What?" Victoria sounded annoyed.

"You promised to be here at eight for Mia's birthday. We're waiting."

"Oh, I forgot! Leo's discharge was such a celebration—Dominic insisted I stay for a few more drinks. I can't get away!"

"Victoria! It's Mia's seventh birthday! Do you have any idea how long she's been waiting?"

"What are you yelling about? It's just a birthday—she has one every year! Leo just came back from the brink of death! That's a rebirth—way more important than a birthday!"

"Are you coming or not?"

"No! Eat the cake yourselves! And bring the deed to the office reception first thing tomorrow—Leo needs it for enrollment!"

The line went dead.

I stared at the black screen. Something in my chest went still and cold.

"Daddy..." Mia's tears dripped onto her red dress. "Did , Mommy stop wanting me?"

I went to her and held her tight.

"Mommy's just busy, sweetheart. Daddy's here. Daddy will sing you happy birthday."

I lit the candles, choking back the lump in my throat.

"Happy birthday to you..."

Mia closed her eyes, pressed her palms together.

"I wish Mommy would look at me more. I wish my heart would get better soon so I won't be a burden to Daddy anymore."

Hearing those words from my seven-year-old nearly tore me apart.

"You are never a burden. You are Daddy's whole world."

I blew out the candles and cut her a slice.

Just then, my phone buzzed.

A photo from Dominic.

In it, Victoria was holding Leo, Dominic's arms wrapped around her from behind. The three of them smiling like a perfect little family.

Caption: Through every storm, finally together. Thank you, Victoria.

I stared at it, ice in my veins, then forwarded it to my lawyer.

"Graham, I need you here. Now."

Half an hour later, Graham Davenport arrived with the documents.

"Mr. Hartley, here's the divorce agreement. Once you sign, I'll handle the rest."

I picked up the pen without hesitation.

"And the property transfer papers?"

"Also ready. As you instructed, there's a trap built in. The moment they accept the title, the tax obligations and attached debts will bury them."

"Good. Deliver everything to Victoria's office first thing tomorrow morning."

"Understood."

I turned to look at Mia, already asleep.

"Come on, sweetheart. Daddy's taking you home."

I lifted her into my arms, grabbed our bag, and walked out of the hospital that had held us captive for two weeks.

2 a.m. Airport VIP lounge.

Professor Ellsworth's medical team had already taken over Mia's care.

"Mr. Hartley, the jet is fueled and ready. We can take off whenever you say." The doctor spoke with a respectful nod.

I took one last look at the city.

Ten years of devotion. Seven years of marriage.

For Victoria, I'd turned down every overseas offer, buried myself in her tiny company, worked myself to the bone.

I thought if I gave enough, I'd earn a warm home.

I was wrong.

You couldn't warm a stone. You throw it away.

"Let's go."

I powered off my phone, pulled out the SIM card, and dropped it in the trash.

Goodbye, Victoria.