Chapter 1

Miguel's POV

I moved back to Joanne Shields' villa as soon as I received our second marriage certificate.

This time, I became the man she wanted me to be and did not interfere in her private affairs.

Each time she answered Eason Chandler's calls, I would pretend not to hear it and leave quietly to give her space.

Even when my son Jordan Jensen went off to play before practising piano, I turned a blind eye to it.

When Jordan came back, his clothes torn and much of his skin exposed, I calmly told him to take a shower.

Joanne followed behind me as she anxiously tried to explain herself.

"I've already told you that I've cut off all contact with Eason. I've hardly spoken to him since that time. He called just now because my mom asked him to send me some soup she cooked. I've turned him down.

"I even deleted him from my contacts. Do you still not trust me?

She kept trying to stuff her phone in my hands and make me check.

"It's fine. I trust you. As long as you're happy, don't worry about me. Just make sure you consider our daughter," I said softly, devoid of emotion.

"Happy? How can I be happy with you like this? You've been cold and distant ever since you came back. Who can be happy around you?"

"Haven't I always been like this? You're overthinking things."

Joanne suddenly went berserk and smashed her phone on the ground.

"It's been three years, and you're still tormenting me like this even after coming back to me. What's the point of this?"

Jordan touched his torn sleeve. Upon seeing my lack of response, he said, "Dad, my classmate beat me up. Are you going to speak to his parents? Dad, I won't keep clinging onto Uncle Eason like I did in the past. Can you please not act like this?"

"Go take a shower," I replied flatly.

Joanne jumped up from the couch and said, "How long are you going to keep up with this tantrum?"

Tantrum? What tantrum?

When I used to kick up a fuss in the past, the two of them would call me insane. Now that I've stopped doing so, they're still insisting that I am throwing a tantrum.

"I'm not throwing a tantrum. Isn't it good for you two to be happy?" I said.

"Fine! Fine! Whatever you say!"

Joanne's shoulders slumped forward. Her head hung low as she went back to her room, looking defeated.

I thought back on how Joanne always used to talk about how pitiful Eason was.

"He's had a tough life, what with his wife dying right after they got married and having to single-handedly raise his daughter. We grew up together and I can't bear to see the two of them suffer."

I contacted Eason the next day.

When Eason eventually moved in, I hoped he would treat my daughter well. I wanted the two of them to get back together again before handing my daughter into his hands.

"I can't believe you're calling me."

Eason was shocked, but he came quickly at the prospect of seeing Joanne.

I sat opposite Eason and said pensively, "I was wrong in the past. Since you and Joanne love each other, I should give you two my blessings."

Eason was very surprised to hear what I said.

"My daughter is very obedient and sensible," I went on. "As long as you treat her well…"

Just then, Joanne returned with her son.

The moment she opened the door and saw Eason, shock registered on her face as she quickly explained, "Miguel, trust me. I didn't call him over. I've really cut off all contact with him."

Eason heard the distance in Joanne's words, and his face paled. "Joanne, it was Miguel who called me over."

I patted Eason on his shoulder. "That's right. I asked him to come."

Joanne pulled Eason up out of his chair and dragged him out of the door. "Hail a cab and go home."

She shut the door, took a deep breath and walked toward me.

She asked darkly, "What is the meaning of this? Miguel, how long is this tantrum of yours going to last? Must you torment me like this?"

Torment.

She called it torment when I didn't let her keep in touch with Eason.

Why was she using that same word again now that I was trying to bring them together?

I said calmly, looking innocently at her.

"You're overthinking. You like Eason. So does your mom and son. All of you wanted Eason to move in. I had no sense at that time. I shouldn't have stopped you guys. I should have understood how you guys felt."

I pulled out a box of ultra-thins and stuffed it into her hands.

"I even prepared this for you. Don't break Eason's heart. Go chase after him."

Joanne smacked the box hard on the table. She lunged forward and grabbed me by the shoulders.

"Miguel, I've explained this to you so many times. I knew I was wrong after you left. Why can't you let bygones be bygones? Can't we just look ahead and let go of the past, please?"