Chapter 2

Nathan's POV

"Nathan Walsh!" Sophie intercepted me the moment I stepped outside. Her fingers dug into my arm with bone-crushing force.

"You're so incredibly selfish! I'm really disappointed in you!"

I stared directly into her eyes and said flatly, "Then let's get a divorce."

Sophie's mind reeled as the color drained from her face. "What the hell are you talking about? You almost let Damon die, and now you have the nerve to bring up divorce?"

My lips parted to speak, but before a sound could escape, a heavy water bottle slammed squarely into my forehead.

"You're evil! Why did you bully Damon? I don't want a dad like you!"

My daughter, Yelena Walsh, glared at me, standing shoulder to shoulder with Sophie to condemn me for the sake of an outsider.

Warm blood began to trickle down my cheek. Sophie's expression faltered for a split second, and she reached a hand toward my face.

But just then, the firefighters escorted Damon down.

Without a moment of hesitation, Sophie and Yelena rushed over to him.

The three of them threw their arms around each other, crying and exchanging reassurances like a real family.

My colleagues stood frozen in shock, all turning to me with pity in their eyes. Even the coworkers who had been berating me just moments ago looked ashamed and hurried away.

I pulled my gaze away, wiped the blood from my face, and got into my car.

At the hospital, I sat in the ER getting stitched up while simultaneously calling a lawyer.

Once the bandage was set, I walked out into the corridor, only to run right into Sophie and Yelena. They were escorting Damon to see a psychiatrist.

They were the picture of devotion, hovering over him with endless patience. Even my usually hyperactive daughter stood quietly by his side while listening to the doctor's every instruction.

A sharp pang pierced my chest.

For years, Sophie had been busy, juggling research, lectures, and project management. She was too busy to ever look after Yelena.

I was the one who had raised Yelena single-handedly, yet she resented me for being strict. Instead, she adored Damon because he took her to arcades.

When my vision cleared, Yelena had already stepped in front of Damon and eyed me as if I were a criminal. "Hey! What are you doing here? You're plotting something bad again, aren't you? Stop bullying Damon, or I'll tell Mom to divorce you!"

She looked at me with smug satisfaction, fully aware of exactly where to twist the knife.

I remembered when Yelena was six, Sophie had an affair with a younger man. I had lost my mind, screaming at her and even threatening to take my own life with a knife.

Back then, Yelena had clung to my leg, sobbing. "Dad, don't be scared. Even if Mom doesn't want you, I'll stay with you forever. I'll always protect you."

I looked at Yelena now. She would never understand that the only reason I had fought so hard to keep this family together was for her sake.

But I didn't care anymore.

Without a word, I turned and walked away.

Yelena looked at me in confusion, and a hint of panic flashed in her eyes. Behind her, Sophie's face turned grim.

Because from start to finish, I hadn't looked at her once.