Chapter 3

When I got back to the office, I pulled out the divorce papers I'd been keeping in my drawer for ages.

Honestly, the first time I caught him messing around with another woman, I'd already had my lawyer draft them up.

Back then, Richard went so far as to hurt himself to swear there'd never be a next time.

Looking at the blood all over the floor, my barely-there baby bump, and our business that was starting out, I decided to let it slide to keep everything together.

"Evelyn, they're here," my assistant said, knocking on the door.

After a round of tough negotiations, I signed away every single share I owned.

The factory was my life's work, but once something's tainted and broken, it was not worth holding onto.

Except for Lucas, I didn't want anything else.

My phone alarm went off. It was time to pick Lucas up from kindergarten.

But when I got to the kindergarten gate, I saw Richard there.

Melissa was crouched down next to Lucas, holding up a cool Ultraman cotton candy.

Lucas was grinning from ear to ear, a look I'd never seen on his face before.

"Lucas, do you like me or your mom more?" Melissa asked, her voice soft and sweet.

Lucas giggled and poked at Melissa's dimple.

"What if I became your mom and gave you a little brother to play with?" Melissa said, her tone gentle and playful.

Lucas nodded eagerly, then stood on his tiptoes to kiss Melissa on the cheek.

Richard scooped Lucas up in one arm and took Melissa's hand with the other, leading them across the street.

He noticed my car parked nearby, and his gaze landed on the driver's seat.

He glanced at my face for a brief moment.

Then he ushered them both into the car.

I sat there in my own car, my mind totally blank, my face turning red from the cold blast of the AC.

It took me a long time to finally snap out of my daze.

Richard did it on purpose. He wanted me to see it.

Ever since Lucas started kindergarten, he'd been pushing me away whenever I tried to get close.

I used to think it was because I was too strict, but now I finally understood why.

Turns out, the whole "perfect family" I thought I had was a fantasy I made up for myself.

Too bad Richard totally miscalculated, he really thought I'd just put up with everything for Lucas.

No one could stop me from walking away now.

When I got home, Lucas was busy playing with the RC car Melissa gave him.

Richard came up behind me, pretending nothing ever happened, and wrapped his arms around my waist. "Didn't you always want a daughter? Tonight, I'll give you that daughter you always wanted."

His pathetic, guilty attempt at making it up to me just made me feel sick to my stomach.

I broke free from his arms. "You should keep that for Melissa."

Richard, thinking I was still pissed, got even more desperate. His hands all over me, trying to get some kind of reaction.

Back then, whenever we fought, we'd make up in bed and pretend nothing happened.

But this time, it was over for real.

Richard grabbed the back of my neck and shoved me forward.

Maybe because we were so close, the lingering smell of soybeans on me made him instinctively turn his head away.

The more I struggled, the tighter his grip became.

With a loud bang, my head hit the wall.

My vision blurred, and he instinctively covered the back of my head with his hand.

Just then, his phone rang.

A few seconds later, Richard let go of me, his expression turning cold as he snorted. "Fine, I'll respect your wishes. At least I won't have to take pills to feel anything for you."

It was obvious who was calling.

Richard changed his clothes, sprayed on some cologne, and hurried out the door, tossing a quick reminder over his shoulder. "That's enough. Make sure you have everything ready for the annual party next week."

Every year, he loved to make a big show of handing out cash bonuses to the employees.

But more than once, he either gave out too little or too much, causing all sorts of drama among the staff.

One time, I even got mugged on my way to withdraw cash and ended up in the hospital.

Now, he'd already spent all the company's money on Melissa, so there was nothing left for him to show off anymore.