Chapter 1

"Is this the 'emergency mission' you were talking about, Keller?"

I slammed my phone face-down onto the kitchen island.

On the screen was a photo released by the city fire department’s official account just five minutes ago.

Keller, wearing a full promotional Spider-Man costume, was down on one knee, handing a massive box of expensive Barbie dolls to a little girl with long hair.

The caption was clear as day: Honoring the Widow of a Fallen Hero: Station 3 Celebrates the Eighth Birthday of Captain’s Precious Daughter, Ava.

Keller unbuttoned the collar of his firefighter uniform, reeking of harsh tobacco smoke and sanitizer.

Without so much as looking at the phone, he walked straight to the kitchen to pour a glass of water.

"It isn't easy for Sophia to raise a child on her own, and Ava was mocked at school today for not having a father. I should be there to celebrate her birthday."

"You could have gone, but you shouldn't have promised Leo you'd celebrate his birthday with him and then flaked out." My voice trembled slightly from sheer restraint.

"He's been sitting at the dining table in the Spider-Man suit you bought him, refusing to touch his cake, just waiting for you to come home."

"Leo is a boy, and he's seven years old. Can't he even understand something as basic as this?" Keller slammed his water glass onto the table, his forehead creased with irritation.

"I'm a firefighter. I'm a public servant. I can't put private birthday parties ahead of public duty and responsibility."

"Is this responsibility, or are you just feeding your own savior complex?" I took a step forward, my eyes red.

"At last month's parent-child sports day, you took time off because Ava was learning how to swim."

"At the art exhibition the month before that, you ran off to fix the plumbing at Sophia's house."

"Keller, I just want you to show your own son a little more care and devotion."

My heart ached for my son as I spoke.

"You're taking good care of Leo. He's safe, and he's healthy." Keller raised his voice, questioning me with absolute self-righteousness.

"But Ava doesn't have a father. She needs that sense of security far more than Leo does. Sophia lost her husband, too. They both need my help."

"As an elementary school teacher, do you really lack this much empathy?"

Our fierce argument echoed through the living room.

Leo stood by the dining table, his little hands tightly clutching the limited-edition Spider-Man action figure with glowing light effects.

On the base of the figure, a line of text was engraved: To my little hero, Leo—Dad.

"Dad..." Leo called out softly, tears pooling in his eyes. Holding onto a tiny sliver of hope, he ran over and tugged at Keller's jacket.

"Are... are you still going to play 'Dual Spider-Man' with me? We haven't even cut the cake yet."

Keller looked down at the hopeful eyes of his son. The anger on his face softened a bit, but he still refused him.

"Sweetheart, Dad is too tired today."

"Dad will play with you tomorrow if I have time, okay?"

The light in Leo's eyes died out bit by bit. He lowered his head and said nothing more.

"Keller, this isn't about tomorrow."

I pulled my son behind me, holding back my tears as I looked at my husband.

"Today is our son's birthday. It's a special day, and you should consider his feelings."

"Eleanor, stop making a scene in front of the kid."

Keller grabbed his coat from the back of the chair, his gaze turning cold.

"I have to head back to the station for night shift. I don't have time to waste on these petty squabbles with you."

Without waiting for my answer, he pulled open the front door and walked out.

Leo hugged the action figure tightly against his chest and looked up, his voice thick with tears. "Mom, is Dad always being everyone else's Spider-Man because I'm not good enough?"

I crouched down and pulled my son into my arms, my tears soaking into his shoulder.