Chapter 3

Before I could fully sink into my sorrow, Alicia's teacher approached, her expression tight with discomfort.

"Mrs. Ulrich… actually, Master Danni was very impressed with Alicia. But, for some reason, he ended up choosing another child."

My chest dropped like a stone. I couldn't help but ask, desperate, "If Master Danni liked Alicia, why would he choose someone else?"

The teacher kept glancing toward Sandra's group, hesitating before speaking.

"The Ulrich Group plans to invest half a million in Master Danni's gallery. Their only condition is that he accepts Bobby as his apprentice…"

The Ulrich Group? Grayson's company?

My heart tightened, as if a giant hand had gripped it, squeezing until I could barely breathe. This had been the opportunity Alicia had dreamed of for so long… and Grayson—how could he…

At that moment, Grayson looked up in our direction, his face puzzled.

"What are you doing here?"

He walked toward us, holding the little boy's hand, eyes wide with genuine curiosity.

I opened my mouth, but no words came.

Sandra stepped forward, slipping her arm around his and glancing at me with guarded affection.

"Grayson, who are they?"

Grayson lowered his eyes, avoiding mine.

"Just a friend."

His words shattered the last fragments of hope I'd clung to.

The little boy, oblivious, beamed up at him.

"Daddy, can I really become Master Danni's student? But I wasn't first in the competition…"

Grayson bent down, wrapping the boy in his arms with a tenderness I had never seen directed at our daughter. "Doesn't matter if you weren't first. I've already arranged it. You're going to be Master Danni's apprentice.

Then he turned to Sandra and said, "You both just came back to Bitaly, and haven't settled in yet. Letting Bobby study under Danni will make his path smoother in the future."

Sandra blushed, hiding her face shyly. "You would make such a good dad. No wonder Bobby talks about you all the time, wanting you to be his father."

I instinctively looked at Grayson, but he avoided my gaze. It was clear he hadn't confessed the truth to Sandra.

Sandra lifted her head proudly as she looked at me, still holding onto Grayson's arm.

"You're here for the competition too? Where's your daughter's father?"

I instinctively tightened my grip on Alicia's hand, about to speak, but she cut me off.

"My dad isn't in the country. He's very busy. I don't want to bother him."

Her words left both Grayson and me stunned.

I looked down in disbelief, seeing only my daughter's stubborn, tear-streaked face. She didn't look at me, only at Grayson, lifting her chin with a brave, understanding smile.

"Goodbye. My mom and I are leaving now."

The tears I had been holding back finally spilled. I turned quickly, discreetly wiping them away.

Grayson grabbed my arm suddenly.

"Alicia… she…"

His face was full of shock, his pupils contracting as if he had seen something he couldn't comprehend. I seized the moment to pull away, my voice calm but final.

"We're leaving. Goodbye, Mr. Ulrich."

That was our last goodbye.

That day, I took the passports I had prepared long ago, packed our bags, and booked tickets to Furlance. We didn't speak of Grayson again. Alicia even pretended lightly, talking about emailing Master Danni once we arrived.

Before we left, I placed the divorce papers I had prepared on the table, then wheeled our suitcases toward the airport.

Just as we were about to board, my phone buzzed with a message from Grayson.

[How did the competition go? I got a skateboard ready for her. Tomorrow I'll take the day off and take you both to a children's restaurant to celebrate.]

My heart ached. When she was little, Alicia had begged to go to that restaurant with him, and he had always refused. Now, she no longer expected it.

Seeing me reading the message, Alicia didn't ask anything. She simply followed me obediently, as if she had grown up overnight, no longer clinging to the hope of her father.

I stayed silent for a long moment before sending my final reply.

[No need. You can go with Sandra and Bobby. I wish you and your new family happiness.]

Almost immediately, my phone rang incessantly. I didn't answer. I powered it off decisively, took Alicia's hand, and boarded the plane.