He insisted on giving me a portion of his assets as compensation, but I refused.Before leaving, he suddenly said, "I'm sorry, Victoria. Whether you believe it or not, I truly loved you. Even if I only realized it now, please trust me."I smiled faintly and turned to leave.Later, Ethan didn't let go as effortlessly as he claimed. Instead, he began pursuing me again.He said that since I married him as a stand-in for my best friend, the failure of our marriage was understandable."Now, I want to pursue you openly, as yourself. Will you give me a chance to be your boyfriend? I'm a single father with a six-year-old son, but he's well-behaved..."He rambled on, but I only said one word. "No."He didn't give up. He kept sending coffee, buying gifts, tirelessly trying to win me over.Five months later, I started dating someone new.The boy was an intern at our TV station named Dennis Peters. He admitted he had admired me for a long time, calling me his idol."Victoria, I joined th
The first morning of the New Year.Fighting the exhaustion of a high fever, I handed Ethan the divorce papers.He frowned, displeased, and asked, "Is this because of last night's punishment?""Victoria, if you didn't overstep your boundaries, I wouldn't have punished you. You should learn to reflect on yourself," he said.I suppressed the urge to defend myself. My voice was hoarse, but steady. "Just sign it.""What about our son?""He was never my biological child. Of course, I won't fight for custody." I paused, then added, "And don't worry, I won't ask for any share of your assets. Consider that my contribution to his upbringing."Ethan glanced up, slightly surprised. It was no wonder—after all, I'd always valued that child above everything else.With a cold expression, he warned, "I advise you to stop this nonsense. If you keep pushing, there'll be no turning back."He thought I was throwing a tantrum.But what he didn't realize was that from the moment I decided on divorc
When I woke again, I was in the hospital.A kind woman who had been passing by had brought me here.The doctor frowned as he reviewed my condition. "You're severely ill," he said. "Why isn't there a family member with you?""I'm sorry, doctor. I don't have any family."For a moment, his face softened, filled with quiet sympathy.I smiled wryly. Even a stranger could offer me kindness, yet the two people I had poured my heart and soul into for seven years had been nothing but cruel. For the first time, I realized how little those years had been worth.After several IV drips, the fever finally broke. As soon as I was able, I left the hospital.I wanted, more than anything, to take off on a spontaneous trip and clear my mind. But life wasn't some TV drama. For seven years, I hadn't worked, and Ethan had only ever given me enough money to buy groceries. I had barely saved any money.I checked into a modest hotel for the time being. The next day, I called my old boss at the TV stati
After settling the matters at hand, I went to pick up Jack from his grandmother's house. But I hadn't expected that when he saw me, he wouldn't run to me, calling out in his soft, babyish voice, "Mom." He didn't remember me anymore. Later, when he started school and mingled with classmates, he grew even more distant. He complained that I wasn't like the other mothers—successful and admirable. He said I didn't have a "real job."The police officer's voice jolted me out of my thoughts.As it turned out, Caleb had been clever enough to hide in a trash bin and escape. He never boarded that ill-fated ship. A homeless man had found him and taken him in, and the two had relied on each other all these years. Recently, after the old man passed away, someone discovered Caleb living alone and reported it to the authorities. That's how they found him.Caleb was dark-skinned, frail, and timid, his demeanor utterly heart-wrenching. I knelt down, gently stroking his small head. "Don't be scared. I
As I was about to hang up, his voice shifted tone, steering the conversation elsewhere. "Today, I'm taking Jack to Happy Swimtime for his swimming class. You can come and see him if you'd like.""No need," I replied curtly, and before he could say anything more, I hung up without hesitation.Placing the phone down, I returned to making sandwiches for Caleb. Life rolled on in its calm, unremarkable rhythm.That is, until one day, when I stepped out of a livestream session and picked up an unfamiliar call.It was the head teacher from Jack's kindergarten. Her voice was enthusiastic, tinged with expectation. "Today is art class parent-child day, and we're inviting all parents to join their kids. All the other parents are here already—just waiting on Jack's."I cut her off mid-sentence. "I'm sorry, but his father and I are divorced. His father has full custody now. I won't be involved in these matters anymore."There was a brief pause, her tone turning slightly awkward. I pressed o
"Caleb, are you okay? Did he hurt you?"I searched him over, my eyes scanning for any signs of injury.That was when Jack broke down. He suddenly burst into tears, loud and unrestrained.Since starting kindergarten, he had rarely cried like this. But now, his sobs were relentless, his face crumpled in what seemed like unbearable grief.In the past, if I saw him like this, I would have knelt down immediately, scooped him up, and held him close. I'd whisper softly, "Don't cry, don't cry. Mommy's here."But now, I felt nothing. My concern was for Caleb alone."I'm fine, Auntie," Caleb said, his voice obedient and calm. "But he told me to stay away from you. He said you're his mom. Is that true?"I shook my head. "He's lying. I'm not his mom."Hearing this, Jack's crying abruptly stopped. His eyes widened in shock, as though my words had struck him harder than any physical blow.At that moment, Ethan's voice drifted over before he even appeared."Ha! You're still pretending. You
"Why are you crying, Auntie?"Caleb's small hands brushed the tears from my cheeks, and only then did I realize my eyes had welled up.Thank goodness for Caleb. The little guy was sweet, perceptive, and had a way of washing away all my negativity with just a few words.Moments later, my phone started ringing—Ethan's name lit up on the screen. I ignored it. He kept calling until I had no choice but to block his number.But he was persistent, dialing from different numbers. Finally, I answered, unable to bear the nuisance any longer."Can you stop calling me? We're divorced. If this is about finalizing the divorce papers, send me a text.""Jack's hurt," he said, his voice a mix of exasperation and urgency. "Casey took him racing, and now he's injured. He's in pain and keeps asking for you.""He's hurt? Call a doctor. Why involve me? I'm not a physician," I replied flatly.Ethan sounded incredulous. "How can you be so cold-hearted? He's your son—you cared for him for six years!
Ethan followed me inside like it was the most natural thing to do. "You're really staying in a place like this? I can't believe it. Leaving behind a spacious villa to live in this cramped little box?"My patience finally ran out. "Ethan, are you deaf? We're divorced. Coming into someone else's home without permission is trespassing. Now, get out."He still thought I was just throwing a tantrum and refused to leave. With no other option, I called security to have both him and Jack "escorted" out.The next morning, as I headed to work, I saw him waiting by the parking lot entrance. I ignored him, but he maneuvered his car to block mine.Rolling down his window, he said, "Let's talk. About the divorce."Perhaps it was time to settle this once and for all. These constant entanglements were exhausting.We chose the nearest café.Sitting across from him, I said coldly, "Say what you need to say.""You've lost weight. Have you not been eating well lately?"I paused, then replied, "St
He insisted on giving me a portion of his assets as compensation, but I refused.Before leaving, he suddenly said, "I'm sorry, Victoria. Whether you believe it or not, I truly loved you. Even if I only realized it now, please trust me."I smiled faintly and turned to leave.Later, Ethan didn't let go as effortlessly as he claimed. Instead, he began pursuing me again.He said that since I married him as a stand-in for my best friend, the failure of our marriage was understandable."Now, I want to pursue you openly, as yourself. Will you give me a chance to be your boyfriend? I'm a single father with a six-year-old son, but he's well-behaved..."He rambled on, but I only said one word. "No."He didn't give up. He kept sending coffee, buying gifts, tirelessly trying to win me over.Five months later, I started dating someone new.The boy was an intern at our TV station named Dennis Peters. He admitted he had admired me for a long time, calling me his idol."Victoria, I joined th
I remember the day I went to pick him up from kindergarten. Normally, it was the nanny who came, but that day, it was me. I reached out to hold his hand, only to catch the teacher's wary glance. She lowered her voice and asked him, "Jack, who is this? You shouldn't go with strangers, you know."He hesitated, staring at me silently.Out of nowhere, Casey appeared. Like a bullet, Jack shot into her arms. "I want to go with her," he declared.The teacher asked, "Who is she? Is she your mom?"He paused, then nodded. Just like that, he left with Casey.The smile froze on my face. At that moment, it felt like someone had slapped me across the face, hard. My mind buzzed, drowning in humiliation.That was the first time I went to pick him up from kindergarten. Wanting to make a good impression, I had even gone to the salon for my hair and ironed my clothes multiple times to perfection. Thinking about it now still left a bitter taste in my mouth.Tears welled up in Jack's eyes as he look
Ethan followed me inside like it was the most natural thing to do. "You're really staying in a place like this? I can't believe it. Leaving behind a spacious villa to live in this cramped little box?"My patience finally ran out. "Ethan, are you deaf? We're divorced. Coming into someone else's home without permission is trespassing. Now, get out."He still thought I was just throwing a tantrum and refused to leave. With no other option, I called security to have both him and Jack "escorted" out.The next morning, as I headed to work, I saw him waiting by the parking lot entrance. I ignored him, but he maneuvered his car to block mine.Rolling down his window, he said, "Let's talk. About the divorce."Perhaps it was time to settle this once and for all. These constant entanglements were exhausting.We chose the nearest café.Sitting across from him, I said coldly, "Say what you need to say.""You've lost weight. Have you not been eating well lately?"I paused, then replied, "St
"Why are you crying, Auntie?"Caleb's small hands brushed the tears from my cheeks, and only then did I realize my eyes had welled up.Thank goodness for Caleb. The little guy was sweet, perceptive, and had a way of washing away all my negativity with just a few words.Moments later, my phone started ringing—Ethan's name lit up on the screen. I ignored it. He kept calling until I had no choice but to block his number.But he was persistent, dialing from different numbers. Finally, I answered, unable to bear the nuisance any longer."Can you stop calling me? We're divorced. If this is about finalizing the divorce papers, send me a text.""Jack's hurt," he said, his voice a mix of exasperation and urgency. "Casey took him racing, and now he's injured. He's in pain and keeps asking for you.""He's hurt? Call a doctor. Why involve me? I'm not a physician," I replied flatly.Ethan sounded incredulous. "How can you be so cold-hearted? He's your son—you cared for him for six years!
"Caleb, are you okay? Did he hurt you?"I searched him over, my eyes scanning for any signs of injury.That was when Jack broke down. He suddenly burst into tears, loud and unrestrained.Since starting kindergarten, he had rarely cried like this. But now, his sobs were relentless, his face crumpled in what seemed like unbearable grief.In the past, if I saw him like this, I would have knelt down immediately, scooped him up, and held him close. I'd whisper softly, "Don't cry, don't cry. Mommy's here."But now, I felt nothing. My concern was for Caleb alone."I'm fine, Auntie," Caleb said, his voice obedient and calm. "But he told me to stay away from you. He said you're his mom. Is that true?"I shook my head. "He's lying. I'm not his mom."Hearing this, Jack's crying abruptly stopped. His eyes widened in shock, as though my words had struck him harder than any physical blow.At that moment, Ethan's voice drifted over before he even appeared."Ha! You're still pretending. You
As I was about to hang up, his voice shifted tone, steering the conversation elsewhere. "Today, I'm taking Jack to Happy Swimtime for his swimming class. You can come and see him if you'd like.""No need," I replied curtly, and before he could say anything more, I hung up without hesitation.Placing the phone down, I returned to making sandwiches for Caleb. Life rolled on in its calm, unremarkable rhythm.That is, until one day, when I stepped out of a livestream session and picked up an unfamiliar call.It was the head teacher from Jack's kindergarten. Her voice was enthusiastic, tinged with expectation. "Today is art class parent-child day, and we're inviting all parents to join their kids. All the other parents are here already—just waiting on Jack's."I cut her off mid-sentence. "I'm sorry, but his father and I are divorced. His father has full custody now. I won't be involved in these matters anymore."There was a brief pause, her tone turning slightly awkward. I pressed o
After settling the matters at hand, I went to pick up Jack from his grandmother's house. But I hadn't expected that when he saw me, he wouldn't run to me, calling out in his soft, babyish voice, "Mom." He didn't remember me anymore. Later, when he started school and mingled with classmates, he grew even more distant. He complained that I wasn't like the other mothers—successful and admirable. He said I didn't have a "real job."The police officer's voice jolted me out of my thoughts.As it turned out, Caleb had been clever enough to hide in a trash bin and escape. He never boarded that ill-fated ship. A homeless man had found him and taken him in, and the two had relied on each other all these years. Recently, after the old man passed away, someone discovered Caleb living alone and reported it to the authorities. That's how they found him.Caleb was dark-skinned, frail, and timid, his demeanor utterly heart-wrenching. I knelt down, gently stroking his small head. "Don't be scared. I
When I woke again, I was in the hospital.A kind woman who had been passing by had brought me here.The doctor frowned as he reviewed my condition. "You're severely ill," he said. "Why isn't there a family member with you?""I'm sorry, doctor. I don't have any family."For a moment, his face softened, filled with quiet sympathy.I smiled wryly. Even a stranger could offer me kindness, yet the two people I had poured my heart and soul into for seven years had been nothing but cruel. For the first time, I realized how little those years had been worth.After several IV drips, the fever finally broke. As soon as I was able, I left the hospital.I wanted, more than anything, to take off on a spontaneous trip and clear my mind. But life wasn't some TV drama. For seven years, I hadn't worked, and Ethan had only ever given me enough money to buy groceries. I had barely saved any money.I checked into a modest hotel for the time being. The next day, I called my old boss at the TV stati
The first morning of the New Year.Fighting the exhaustion of a high fever, I handed Ethan the divorce papers.He frowned, displeased, and asked, "Is this because of last night's punishment?""Victoria, if you didn't overstep your boundaries, I wouldn't have punished you. You should learn to reflect on yourself," he said.I suppressed the urge to defend myself. My voice was hoarse, but steady. "Just sign it.""What about our son?""He was never my biological child. Of course, I won't fight for custody." I paused, then added, "And don't worry, I won't ask for any share of your assets. Consider that my contribution to his upbringing."Ethan glanced up, slightly surprised. It was no wonder—after all, I'd always valued that child above everything else.With a cold expression, he warned, "I advise you to stop this nonsense. If you keep pushing, there'll be no turning back."He thought I was throwing a tantrum.But what he didn't realize was that from the moment I decided on divorc