All Chapters of He Does School Runs, I Do a Clean Break: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

Chapter 1

I hung up and had just turned the corner by the school gate when I spotted a familiar figure—Michael Carter, my husband, the father of my child.He stood among the cluster of parents, a strawberry cake in his hand, craning his neck to look toward the entrance. I stopped in my tracks.We had been married for a decade. Three years since our daughter, Alani Carter, started elementary school, and not once had he come.Last month, when Alani came down with a fever and needed to be picked up early, I called Michael and told him to go. He said he was stuck in a meeting.Six months ago, when I had sudden gastritis and needed surgery, I asked him to pick up Alani. He sent the nanny instead.Now, suddenly, here he was. He actually found the time to come to school? What would I see next? Pigs in the sky?Alani had just walked out when she ran to my side. She turned her head, her eyes lighting up with surprise. "Mom, look, it's Dad!"She pulled free from my hand and ran toward Michael. He c

Chapter 2

On Saturday morning, Michael got up early for once."I'm taking Alani to the amusement park today," he said as he slipped on his shoes.I looked out the window. The weather was nice. "I'll come, too."He froze for a second. "You will? Didn't you say you had to work this weekend?""Not anymore," I said, picking up my coat. "It's not often you make time to be with Alani. She's been saying she wants all of us to go to the amusement park together. Our kid comes first."Michael's expression shifted, but he said nothing.Alani came rushing out of her room, already dressed, and threw her arms around his leg. "Dad's taking me to the amusement park! He's the best!"He smiled, but it looked comically forced.The amusement park was packed.The moment we walked in, Alani grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the carousel. I was just about to say yes when Michael's phone rang. He glanced at the screen and stepped aside to take the call.When he came back, his expression looked a little off

Chapter 3

"Maybe next time. Demi really wants to ride the Ferris wheel today. I'll accompany her this time," Michael said, leading Demi away hand-in-hand without looking back once.Alani stood where she was, watching their backs disappear. I crouched down. "Alani, sweetheart, I'll go on the ride with you."She shook her head. Her eyes were finally red-rimmed. "Mom, I don't have to ride it. I just want Dad to come with me… Does he not like me anymore, Mom?"She buried her face in my shoulder. She didn't cry aloud, but her shoulders kept shaking. I looked at her, and something in me settled into a hard certainty.If this "father" was nothing more than a presence that came and went, then maybe I should take Alani and let go of him.By evening, the amusement park had started to empty.Demi said she wanted cotton candy, so Michael immediately went to buy it. When Yvette went to the restroom, he quickly offered to keep an eye on her, too."Alani, take Demi to the slides for a bit. Ms. Miller an

Chapter 4

For the next three days, Alani was hospitalized. Michael never showed up again—not even a single call or message.After she was discharged, she needed a few days of rest, so I sent her to stay with my mother first.At the same time, Alani's homeroom teacher, Ms. Clarkson, sent a notice in the group chat."The parent-teacher meeting will be held this Friday. All parents are required to attend. Thanks."Almost immediately, a message from Yvette popped up."Got it. Alani's dad will be coming too, right? He's always so involved in the class."I looked at the screen and replied with a smile, "Of course."Right after I sent it, my phone rang. Michael was calling to scream at me."Joanna, who told you to answer in the group chat without checking with me? Anyway, I'm busy this Friday. You go instead."I surmised he was probably "busy" playing some other kid's father. He could leave Alani in the hospital for days without a word, but strangely, he was so eager to be involved in another

Chapter 5

Michael's legs gave out slightly, and he nearly collapsed on the spot.I opened the folder and pulled out another document, holding it up for everyone to see.It was a copy of a marriage certificate. On top of that, there was a photo of Michael, standing in a suit beside another woman, who held a child in her arms."Every New Year's, he goes back to his hometown, saying it's to visit his parents," I said calmly. "In reality, he's going back to his wife and son."Yvette's face was ashen. She slowly turned to Michael, disbelief in her eyes. "Is it true, Mike?"Michael opened his mouth. "I—""You said you were divorced!" Yvette suddenly screamed. "You said you only cared about Demi and me! You lied to me!"She rushed at him and started hitting him repeatedly, her hands landing wherever they could. He raised his arms to shield himself, stumbling backward under the blows.The classroom broke into chaos. Some pulled out their phones to record. Others stood up trying to separate them.

Chapter 6

"Instead, he spent over 200 thousand dollars on another woman, bought her child countless toys, took them to amusement parks, bookstores, and restaurants," I recalled all the details."If it weren't for Alani's sake, I would've divorced him long ago. And yet, he had the audacity to keep showing up in her life, only to disappoint and hurt her again and again!"Margaret's face paled."And now, you're telling me he's a good husband and father? You're joking."She parted her lips, but no words came out.I turned and walked into the courtroom.Inside, Michael sat in the defendant's seat, wearing an orange detention vest, head dipped. Two lawyers stood beside him—one was the attorney Alex had arranged for me, the other was his defense counsel.Yvette sat in the front row of the gallery, her eyes swollen and red, occasionally wiping away tears. When I entered, she looked up at me with a complicated look.The judge struck the gavel. "Court is now in session."Alex stood and began her

Chapter 7

At 3:00 pm, the verdict was announced.The judge struck the gavel, and the courtroom fell silent."The defendant, Michael Carter, is hereby found guilty of the crime of bigamy and sentenced to one year and six months of imprisonment."In the civil matter, the court grants the divorce between the plaintiff, Joanna Wilson, and the defendant, Michael Carter."All assets under the defendant's name, including real estate, vehicles, and bank deposits, shall be awarded to the plaintiff."The defendant shall pay moral damages of 200 thousand dollars, and child support of 5000 dollars per month until the child reaches the age of 18."Michael stood with his head lowered, his shoulders trembling. I looked at him, and for a brief moment, I recalled our wedding ten years ago.Back then, he had stood in a white suit, promising me in front of everyone that he would only love me for the rest of his life. Now, he stood in the defendant's seat, wearing a prison uniform.The judge turned to me. "

Chapter 8

"I'm Mikey's cousin!" the strong woman said. "You ruined his life! If you don't give us an explanation today, you're not getting out of here!"The receptionist stepped back in fear.I took out my phone, ready to call security. Before I could, Margaret snatched it from my hand. "Calling for backup? Not until you explain yourself!"I looked at her and suddenly smiled. "Fine. I won't move until we're clear."Margaret hesitated."Go on," I said, leaning against the wall. "Your son cheated for three years. He spent 200 thousand on another woman, helped raise someone else's child, and left my daughter in the hospital without care. Now, where should we begin?"The lobby fell silent.Margaret's mouth was agape before she managed a flimsy excuse. "That's because you forced him into it! If you'd treated him better, he wouldn't have gone looking for someone else!""I forced him? I was married to him for ten years, gave birth to his child, and took care of you and your husband. When your h

Chapter 9

It was Michael's voice. I stayed quiet."I… I'm out," he said, his voice hoarse and strained. "I want to see Alani.""No.""But I'm her dad—""You're not."Silence fell on the other end.I continued, "Have you ever spent a single penny on her? Have you attended even one parent-teacher meeting for her? Where were you when she was in the hospital? Or when she questioned if her dad still liked her?"He was speechless."Alani doesn't have a father, Michael. You're just the man who contributed the sperm.""Joanna—""Don't call again."I hung up and blocked the number.A cool breeze drifted in from the balcony. I got up and walked into Alani's room. She was sleeping soundly, a faint smile clinging to her lips. I gently brushed her face."Mom…" she murmured in her sleep."I'm here," I whispered. "Always."A month later, Alex brought back a set of documents. "He's signed them. He's waived all his rights, and he won't come looking for you again."I took the papers and glanced th

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