Chapter 2

"He's the only person I've ever considered good enough for my daughter," Elaine added, her gaze telling.

My heart sank. I turned around, and Matthew's excited face was the first thing I saw. At that moment, I felt something inside me die for good.

I took out my phone and texted my superior, "I'll take the assignment abroad we discussed before."

The truth was, my company had approached me about the position two weeks earlier. The overseas branch was launching a new project and needed someone who could lead the team independently.

They had been searching for a long time but couldn't find anyone else suitable.

In the end, the director and my superior, Chelsea Cooper, came to me in person. "Harlan, you're the only person for this job. In just five years, you'll get two promotions and triple your current salary."

I turned it down then because Max had just started first grade, and Louise told me she would be the breadwinner while I stayed home and took care of things.

I agreed then only because I believed my family needed me.

Tonight, however, proved that I was wrong. They didn't need me. They only needed a male nanny who obediently took orders.

Chelsea replied almost immediately, "Are you sure about this? Once you go, you'll be away for five years. Didn't your son just start grade school? Are you okay with leaving him? What about your wife? Did she agree?"

I smiled bitterly and typed, "They'll be more than happy to see me go."

A few minutes later, I got the flight confirmation. The departure date was three days from then. I stared at the message for almost 30 minutes.

Downstairs, Louise called out, "Harlan, we're cutting the cake."

"Dad, hurry up!" Max yelled. "Don't keep Mr. Parker waiting!"

I didn't respond for a few seconds, because I truly didn't want to head downstairs. Then I thought that maybe I needed one last reason to cut ties with them for good.

I wanted to see just how far they were willing to go for another man.

So, I walked downstairs. Louise, Max, and Elaine were already standing in a row around the dining table. The moment I reached the table, Max frowned.

"Dad, move over. You're taking Mr. Parker's spot."

I clenched my fists and stepped aside.

Elaine clicked her tongue. "Learn to take a hint, will you? Stand over there."

She affectionately pulled Matthew toward her. "Come on, Matty. Stand in the middle. We'll take a family photo together."

Louise watched the whole thing without saying a word.

"Dad, did you hear Grandma? Take the picture for us," Max ordered. "And make sure Mr. Parker looks good."

If this had happened before, that blatant favoritism would've brought tears of anger to my eyes. I would've demanded to know why they treated me like this.

Now, I simply memorized the look on each of their faces.

I pulled out my phone and aimed the camera at them. On the screen, Max held Louise's hand with one hand and Matthew's with the other, grinning like a kid who had won first prize.

Elaine linked her arm through Matthew's other arm, smiling affectionately as though she were truly his mother.

Watching them, I suddenly remembered last year.

When Louise and I finally held the wedding ceremony we'd never had, taking family photos was the final part of the ceremony. Max refused to hold my hand and stayed in Louise's arms instead.

Elaine even left her original spot, walked around me, and stood beside Louise.

I wore a suit, but in our wedding photos, I looked like an isolated, insignificant extra who had no place there.

That night, I stood on the balcony and smoked for hours. I kept telling myself, "It's just a photo. Don't overthink it. We're still a family."

Now, I painfully realized what "family" meant.