Chapter 3

When I heard Maya's words, I instinctively looked at Maxwell. As expected, I caught a flash of guilt in his eyes.

He brushed me off with a casual reassurance, saying, "It's rare that the kid asks for something, Val. I'll just play with her for a bit, and don't overthink it."

Then, he skillfully picked Lena up. "Let's go, kiddo. Let's win that Berry Bear."

Maya followed him and cast a meaningful glance back at me. As the trio walked toward the family activity area, laughing and chatting, they looked exactly like a family of three from behind.

The socialites who had been standing next to me walked away, smiling awkwardly.

Just before they left, the looks they gave me shifted from envy to pity and ridicule. I knew that from this moment on, the idea that Maxwell loved me more than anything became the biggest joke in our circle.

I gritted my teeth hard, and my heart felt like it was being torn apart. The pain ripped through my limbs until I started shaking uncontrollably.

…

Maxwell came with me on our way home. Noticing my dark expression, he couldn't help feeling compelled to explain.

"Ms. Bennett is a single mom. Raising a kid alone isn't easy, so as her boss, I've been looking out for her a little. I made her my secretary because she'll earn more to provide better for her daughter.

"If you're not happy about it, Val, I'll have her transferred away from me right now."

I didn't reply. Instead, I looked out at the city lights blurring past the window and suddenly asked, "Maxwell, do you remember the vows you made when we got married?

"You said you'd never lie to me, or you'd spend the rest of your life alone and miserable."

A flash of guilt crossed his face, but he quickly grabbed my hand and affectionately said, "Of course I remember. Don't worry, Val. I'll keep my word."

Suddenly, the whole thing felt incredibly pointless. I pulled my hand away and closed my eyes. "I'm tired.

I was done playing along with his gentle, devoted act.

After getting home, I texted my lawyer, Lex Graham. "Mr. Graham, please draft a set of divorce papers for me."

Lex was efficient. He sent the draft to me the next morning.

I was about to head downstairs with the printed divorce papers, but a second later, I froze at the top of the stairs.

In the living room, Maya was crouched by a suitcase, packing clothes for Maxwell with the practiced grace of the lady of the house. He sat on a rug, reading a story to Lean. Whatever he said must have been funny, because she giggled and burrowed into his arms.

The warm, intimate scene was a piercing sight, and I almost felt like an intruder.

"You're awake."

Maxwell was the first to spot me. He smiled and walked up to meet me at the stairs. "I made your favorite mini meat pies with gravy this morning. Come down and try them."

When he noticed the papers in my hand and was about to ask what they were, Maya suddenly shrieked. He immediately left me at the stairs and bolted downstairs.

He could barely hide the thick concern in his voice as he asked, "What happened?"

She lifted a white shirt and embarrassingly said, "I'm so sorry, Mr. Ford. I noticed that this shirt was a little wrinkled and tried to iron it, but I think I ruined it."

Maxwell let out a breath of relief. "It's just a shirt. Everything's fine as long as you're not hurt."

He took the ruined shirt and tossed it into the trash can, while I stood rooted to the spot and fought with everything I had to keep the tears from falling.

That was the shirt Maxwell had worn when we registered our marriage. Back then, he had carefully tucked it away, promising to keep it as a lifelong memento.

Now, just three years later, he had tossed it into the trash can.

After calming myself, I walked down the stairs and pointed at Maya and Lena before asking, "Why are they here?"

Before Maxwell could answer, Maya beat him to it.

"I'm sorry to disturb, Mrs. Ford. Mr. Ford had a last-minute business trip this morning, and I rushed over to help him pack. There's no one at home to keep an eye on my daughter, so I had no choice but to bring her along.

"Unlike you, I don't have nannies or housekeepers to help out. I have to manage everything myself, so I hope you can understand."