Chapter 1

My wife Lester, who always hated children, suddenly became obsessed with the neighbor's baby, taking care of it until the early morning hours every day before coming home.

Not only did she leave me out in the cold, she even ignored me when I had surgery after a car accident.

I couldn't take it anymore. At the party celebrating my hospital discharge, I asked for a divorce.

Friends and family all said the accident had knocked some sense out of me.

My wife Lester viciously threw her drink in my face, furiously scolding me:

"So what if I didn't take care of you while you were hospitalized after the accident? Is that really such a big deal?"

I slowly wiped away the mess on my body, looking at the suggestive red marks on her neck, my tone ice-cold:

"Since you love his child so much, after we divorce, I'll make sure you can be with them forever."

The expression on Lester's face was complicated as she pulled up her collar, trying to cover her neck.

Her eyes reddened with rage as she roared at me:

"George, what are you trying to say?"

"I've been taking care of Wesley to learn parenting skills, so I can take care of our future children."

"And now you want to divorce me over such a flimsy reason? Have you lost your mind?"

I ignored her shouting, my face showing no emotion whatsoever.

Calmly, I pulled out the divorce papers I'd already prepared from my bag and held them in front of her.

"Sign them. I'll see you at City Hall tomorrow morning."

All the friends and family around us were shocked, their burning gazes focused on me.

But I didn't care anymore. I left the divorce papers and prepared to leave.

They couldn't believe that we, such an enviable couple, would suddenly want a divorce.

Lester's eyes were filled with shock. She hadn't expected me to have the divorce papers ready already.

Seeing my determined attitude, my mom finally realized I wasn't joking.

She was the first to pick up the divorce papers from the table. After scanning a few lines, her face turned ugly.

"George, do you really want a divorce? You and Lester have been married for ten years with such a good relationship. What happened?"

They earnestly tried to get me to reconsider, even Lester's best friend spoke up to persuade me.

"Yeah, George, you and Lester have ten years together. Don't let the neighbor's baby ruin that."

"She's just helping out because she felt sorry for the single dad and his child. Do you have to be so petty?"

"She didn't have kids back then because she didn't want to hold back your career. Don't you understand her good intentions?"

Everyone around also blamed me for being heartless.

But I said nothing, only pushing the divorce papers in front of Lester again.

"This divorce must happen. I can't endure this anymore."

My dad, who'd rushed over after hearing the news, slapped me hard across the face. It instantly stung with burning pain.

I covered my swelling face and heard his furious roar:

"How dare you divorce such a wonderful girl like Lester! I'll beat you to death!"

"All these years Lester has run this household so you could build your career. Now you want a divorce? Have you no shame?"

My mom immediately rushed over to break it up, grabbing my hand and pleading earnestly.

"George, if you two have problems, talk them out. Don't bring up divorce."

"You'll never find another wife this good. If you're doing this because you have someone new, I won't forgive you!"

I slowly raised my head, the taste of blood spreading through my mouth, surrounded by judgmental voices.

Lester immediately rushed over to support me with concern, treating my wounds. She was always so considerate.

In front of others, she seemed like the perfect wife, but only I knew the bitterness between us.

"George, I know you might have fallen for someone else, but I'm the only one who truly cares about you."

"We've known each other since childhood and been married for ten years. How could we divorce over such a small thing?"

"I don't care about those other women. As long as you're willing to come home, I won't hold it against you."

With just a few words, Lester turned the blame toward me having an affair. The scene erupted again.

Everyone's gazes fell on me like knives. Even my dad punched me again.

"So that's why you want a divorce—you've got someone else! How could I have raised such a bastard!"

"George, stop this nonsense. You're going to put your father in the hospital. Just go home and live properly with Lester."

All our friends and family urged me to reconsider. Lester also cried and begged me with a humble attitude.

My eyes were cold as I pushed her away forcefully: "Let go. I don't love you anymore."

She didn't know that ever since she started taking care of the neighbor's baby, our marriage had become nothing but a shell.

Lester looked at me in disbelief, her lips trembling: "What... what did you say?"