Chapter 1
The day my wife left the country, I stood at the airport, holding our three-month-old son in my arms.
Calanthia was dragging a suitcase, and her college junior, Darian Blackwell, helped her with another one.
"Aldric, this project means a lot to me. I'll be back in two years," she said, not looking at our son in my arm
Her gaze lingered on her boarding pass, the handbag Darian was carrying for her, and the duty-free shop windows in the departure lounge.
But her eyes never once fell on her son, who had turned three months old.
"Alright," I said.
Calanthia froze for a moment, probably not expecting me to agree so quickly. She asked, "You're not going to stop me?"
"If you want to leave, just go," I replied.
Darian cleared his throat. "Calanthia, it's time to board."
He called her 'Calanthia'.
I remembered the year he started college. At the welcome party, Calanthia told me, "This freshman is really talented. I want to take him under my wing."
She really did take him under her wing. She took him from the lab all the way to the flight for his studies abroad.
Calanthia took three steps, then looked back over her shoulder. She wasn't looking at me. Her eyes were on our son.
"Eamon, Mommy will be back soon," she said softly.
Eamon was sound asleep in my arms, not reacting at all.
I turned and walked away. I didn't watch her leave, didn't wave, and my eyes didn't even get misty.
******
Back when she told me three months ago she was leaving the country, I spent a week tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
But after that week, I finally understood one thing. If someone'd already made up their mind to leave, chasing after them was useless.
When I got home, the living room still carried the lingering scent of her perfume.
There was a note from her stuck on the fridge: [Formula's on the second shelf of the cabinet. I've stocked up three boxes of diapers. They should last six months.]
Six months. Calanthia promised she'd be back in two years, but only left enough formula for six months.
I tore the note off and threw it in the trash.
Eamon woke up and started crying.
I scrambled to make his formula. The water was too hot, so I added some cold water. It took me three tries before I finally got it right.
Before she left, Calanthia took care of everything.
Wait, that's not true. In the last month before she left, it was all on me.
She was busy talking over her project with Darian and getting her stuff together.
The night Eamon was burning up with a fever, Calanthia was in the study, video chatting with Darian, discussing the data model for a research paper.
I took Eamon to the hospital three times that night, all by myself.
When I got home at four in the morning, Calanthia stepped out of the study, yawning. "You're back? Is Eamon okay?"
"He's fine," I said.
"Okay, I'm heading to bed. I have to go to the embassy tomorrow," she said.
That was the moment I knew she'd already checked out of this family.
Eamon sucked on his pacifier, his bright, dark eyes fixed on me.
"Don't be scared, Daddy's here." I held him close, sitting in the silent, empty living room.
My phone buzzed. It was a message from her: [Boarded. I'll text you when I land.]
I replied: [Okay.]
I didn't say anything else.
That night, I set three rules for myself.
First, make sure Eamon was taken care of. Second, focus on getting my own life together. Third, stop waiting for her.
*****
Three years later, in the Verlia Airport, International Arrivals, I stood in the arrivals hall, holding Eamon in my arms.
Beside me was Bennett Anderson, deputy director of the city's Science and Technology Bureau, along with a row of staff in sharp suits.
"Mr. Vance, this is the first batch of experts coming in through the international talent program. Twelve in total, with Dr. Thornwood leading the team," Bennett said.
She scanned the roster, her voice tinged with genuine respect. "Dr. Thornwood has published seven papers in top journals on quantum communication.
"Last year she took home the IEEE Young Scientist Award. She's one of the top experts our province is eager to bring in."
"Mm," I replied.
"Mr. Vance, do you know her?" Bennett asked.
"I've met her before," I said.
Bennett didn't press for more.
In this city, nobody ever pries into my personal life.
Three years ago, I was an unknown engineer, barely noticed by anyone.
But now, my company, Aldrive Group, was worth over ten billion dollars, had secured six national-level research projects.
Besides, it built the largest chip packaging and testing base in Verlia New District.
Calanthia had no idea about any of this.
When she left, I'd quit my job at the research institute, and she said I wasn't serious about my career.
Eamon was draped over my shoulder, pointing at the arrivals board. "Daddy, look at all those planes."
"Yeah, we're waiting for someone," I said.
"Who is it?" Eamon asked.
"Just wait and see," I replied.
The doors at the arrivals gate swung open. The first person to step out was Darian.
Three years had gone by. He now sported a beard, gold-rimmed glasses, and a perfectly tailored suit. He looked like one of those overseas big-shots.