Chapter 4

The voice on the other end of the line faltered noticeably. “A war correspondent? Eliza, why so suddenly? It’s risky out there! Active combat, bullets flying everywhere, and not to mention the brutal living conditions. You’re a young woman–”

“It was my dream back in college,” Eliza said softly. “It’s just that… because of my family, I put it on hold. Now, I want to fulfill it.”

“But you have a husband, two kids, and a happy family. Why take such a risk? Even if you want to go, your family would never agree to it!”

Eliza smiled bleakly.

“Mr. Fox, I’m preparing for a divorce. The children… will go with their father. My mind is made up.”

There was a long silence on the other end of the line. Mr. Fox was clearly stunned by the news.

Eventually, Mr. Fox sighed. “Well, that is your personal affairs, so it’s not my place to pry. Since you’ve decided… Alright. I’ll submit your application to upper management. Rest up and recover over the next few days, get everything in order, and prepare to head out on schedule by the end of the month.”

“Thank you, Mr. Fox.”

After hanging up, Eliza dialed her lawyer’s number.

“Ms. Summers, I’d like you to draft divorce papers for me, please. The father will have sole custody of the children, and I am surrendering my rights. As for asset division, we will go with standard legal guidelines. I only want what I’m legally entitled to. The sooner, the better. Ideally… I’d like the divorce to be finalized before the end of the month.”

After taking care of all of that, she closed her eyes, exhausted. Finally, though her heart still felt empty and cold, she was starting to feel something again.

Over the next few days, Connor and the two children never showed up once. It wasn’t until Eliza’s birthday came that Connor—perhaps out of a desire to make amends or just to maintain a peaceful facade—arranged a rather grand birthday party for her.

At the party, Sofia arrived uninvited. Dressed in a soft pink gown and sporting exquisite makeup, she walked gracefully up to Eliza and handed her an elegantly wrapped gift box.

“Happy birthday, Eliza. What a coincidence. It happens to be my birthday today too.”

The same birthday?

The two children immediately turned to Sofia in surprise. “Sofia, today is your birthday too? Why didn’t you tell us sooner?”

Leo turned to Connor right away. “Daddy! Today is Sofia’s birthday too! Why don’t we… make this a joint birthday party for Mommy and Sofia? Can we?”

Maya tugged at Connor’s hand, swaying it back and forth. “Daddy, please? Spending a birthday all alone must be so lonely for Sofia!”

Connor looked at the expectant eyes of his two children, then glanced at Eliza, who stood quietly aside, not saying a word. A flicker of hesitation crossed his face.

He walked over to Eliza’s side and whispered in a negotiating tone, “Eliza, look how much the kids want this… Sofia really is all by herself today, so… why don’t we celebrate her too? I know this feels unfair to you, but–”

“Sure.” Before he could finish his sentence, Eliza cut him off coldly.

Connor froze. All the arguments he had prepared to persuade her with were stuck in his throat.

“That’s it?” He couldn’t quite believe it. “You don’t mind?”

He had assumed she would throw a fit, that she would tearfully interrogate him and accuse him of being partial, just like she used to. He had even planned out how to soothe her and reason with her. Yet, she had agreed so easily.

Eliza flashed him a nonchalant smile. “You explained your reasons. You said she’s just the kids’ piano teacher, that there’s nothing between you two, and that you only interact because of the children. Why would I mind?”

She paused and looked up at him. Her gaze was flat and unbothered.

“Rest assured, Connor. From now on, I won’t make a scene ever again.”

For reasons he couldn’t explain, even though she had become reasonable and generous, Connor’s heart suddenly sank, and he was filled with anxiety and panic.

She was far too calm, so calm that it felt like she didn’t care about anything anymore; she didn’t care that they were good to Sofia, and she didn’t care… about them anymore either.