Chapter 4

“Nathan, do you have no compassion at all?”

I laughed coldly and shot back, “You’re right. I’m nowhere near as kind as you. You’re so kind that not only did you get married to your assistant, you even brought him and his son home to live with you.”

Just then, Ryan, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly spoke.

His eyes were red as he took off the pajamas he was wearing, looking fragile and wounded.

“Nathan, Claire, please stop fighting because of me.

“If Nathan doesn’t want us to stay, I’ll take Noah and leave right now. It’ll just be harder for Noah to get to school from now on, that’s all. Claire, I’m already grateful that you helped Noah with his school registration. I wouldn’t dare ask for anything more...”

As he spoke, he exchanged a look with Noah.

The next second, Noah rushed forward and sank his teeth hard into my calf.

Blood welled from the bite mark.

But Noah still was not satisfied. He clenched his fists and started hitting me.

“You’re a bad man! Why do you get to kick Dad and me out? This is my home. If anyone should leave, it’s you!”

Only after Noah had beaten red marks into me did Ryan finally step in and carry him away.

“Nathan, he’s just a kid. He doesn’t know any better. Please don’t take it personally.”

Before I could speak, Claire cut in.

“Ryan, you and Noah can stay here in peace.

“Nathan, Ryan felt guilty about taking your turn at City Hall, so he bought you a gift to apologize. And you’re still being this petty? If you ask me, the one who doesn’t know any better is you.”

I looked over and saw half a soufflé that had already been eaten.

My voice turned cold.

“I’m allergic to eggs. I can’t eat that. And I’m not a trash can. I don’t have the habit of taking other people’s leftovers.”

Ryan’s tears immediately began to fall.

“Claire, I know Nathan thinks my gift is cheap, but this is already the best I can afford. If he doesn’t like it, he can just say so. Why does he have to be so passive-aggressive?”

Claire’s expression darkened. She picked up the half-eaten soufflé and shoved it toward my mouth.

“Ryan gave it to you out of kindness, and now you’re looking down on it?

“You can even come up with something as ridiculous as an egg allergy? Fine. Let’s see if you’re really allergic.”

I could not dodge in time.

The soufflé smeared across my mouth. The smell of egg hit me hard, and nausea surged straight up. It took me a long while before I finally spat everything out.

By the time I recovered, red hives had already spread across my body.

Only then did Claire remember that I really was allergic to eggs. Guilt flashed through her eyes.

“Nate, I...”

I did not bother listening anymore. I turned and went back to my room.

Claire followed me in and softened her voice.

“Nate, I only forgot about your egg allergy because I was angry. I’m sorry.”

I was wondering why Claire had suddenly become so easy to talk to when, the very next second, she revealed what she really wanted.

“But can you let Ryan and Noah stay here for now?

“Once Ryan finds a place, I’ll make them move out. After that, I’ll marry you to make it up to you, okay?”

So in the end, it was still for Ryan.

I pulled my hand away from Claire.

“There’s no need. I’ll move out right now and leave the happy family of three to yourselves.”

With that, I lowered my head and began packing.

When Claire saw that, she finally lost her temper.

“Nathan, I already backed down. What more do you want? Keep this up, and I’ll break up with you.”

I only gave a cold laugh.

“Perfect. I was thinking the same thing. Let’s break up.”

Claire froze.

She had only wanted to use the threat of a breakup to make me give in the way I always had.

She had not expected me to agree.

“Nathan, do you even know what you’re saying?”

I nodded.