Chapter 4

"Mom, there's no need to say anything more. I get it. Dad and I don't matter anymore. I don't need your fake concern."

With that, I ran back to my room and locked myself inside, my eyes burning with unshed tears.

…

The next day, Sophie was waiting for me outside the research institute.

The bracelet on her wrist was gone.

"Nick, I was wrong. I shouldn't have hidden things from you," she said softly. "Can you forgive me this once?"

I looked at her coldly. "Let's call off the engagement."

Her eyes reddened instantly. She grabbed my hand. "Don't do this. I promise I'll never have anything to do with him again. You know how much I love you."

Staring into her earnest eyes, my resolve wavered. Maybe I really had misunderstood her.

My tone softened without me realizing it. "Sophie, I'm giving you one last chance."

After saying that, I turned and went straight into the institute.

As soon as I entered the lab, I saw my father, his hair slightly disheveled.

"Dad, did you not sleep all night?"

"No," he replied. "The director spoke to me yesterday. There's a research project overseas that wants me to join. It would take five years. I'm still thinking it over."

I knew that despite his disappointment in Mom, he still couldn't let her go.

"Dad, you've already missed so many opportunities just to stay by Mom's side. If you miss this one too, at your age, there may not be another chance."

He shook his head. "That's not what I'm thinking about. I just can't believe that after more than twenty years of love, she could say she doesn't love me and mean it. What if she's just confused for now…"

I let out a deep sigh. We were the same, both too soft-hearted.

That evening, Mom told me she wouldn't be coming home. There was a new product launch.

My dad and I stayed in the lab, squatting side by side, phones in hand, watching the livestream together.

As we watched my mother shine on stage, my father's eyes still flickered with love.

But near the end, she suddenly announced, "Next, I would like to announce two appointments. I hereby appoint Julian Hardman as Vice President of the Group, and Bruce Hardman as General Manager of the new product project."

Julian then stepped onto the stage, wrapped his arms around my mother, and kissed her on the cheek.

Bruce joined them, standing at her side. The three of them smiled happily for the flashing cameras, looking like a perfect family.

A reporter from the audience asked, "Samantha, are you officially announcing your new relationship with Julian today? You two look like a perfect match."

I turned to look at my father.

The light in his eyes was gone. They looked like still water—dull and lifeless.

"Nick," he said, "she really doesn't love me anymore. After I go abroad, you need to take good care of yourself."

I let out a long sigh, forced a bitter smile, and asked, "Dad, would you mind if I went abroad too and lived off you?"

He looked at me in surprise. "What about Sophie?"

I took out my phone and opened a screenshot.

In the front row of the launch event, Sophie was dressed elegantly, the twenty-thousand-dollar bracelet shining on her wrist.

A bouquet of vivid red roses set off her delicate smile.

"Dad," I said, "there's no place for us in that home anymore."