Chapter 4

It was almost evening by the time I finished drafting the divorce papers.

Scarlett hadn't brought Leo home yet.

Out of habit, I started worrying about Leo's homework, then I raised my hand and slapped myself hard.

"Even as a dad, I need to be tough. Like his mom."

Then Scarlett called. But the voice on the other end was Caleb's.

"Daniel, it's me. Scarlett's had too much to drink and can't get home by herself. Can you come pick her up?"

"You take her home, you two seem pretty close, don't you?"

I glanced at the divorce papers on the table, then changed my mind.

"Forget it, I'll go get her."

I hung up and rushed to the party room as fast as I could.

Inside, it was a chaotic mix of people. Besides Caleb, who had called me, everyone else was a stranger. But they all stared at me, their eyes filled with accusation, as if blaming me for not being a good stay-at-home dad.

Scarlett was sitting at the head of the table, her face flushed, still raising an empty glass to drink. Leo was next to her, his schoolbag tossed on the floor. Caleb, looking trendy as always, had Leo perched on his lap, chatting away with him.

So this was how she took care of our son. No wonder my years of slogging away at home, raising Leo, couldn't hold a candle to her occasional 'fun' outings.

I hadn't even stepped fully inside when Leo shrieked.

"Mom, I'm not going home with Dad! Dad's just going to make me do homework again!"

Leo started screaming, dodging around like I was a monster, which finally prompted Scarlett to pretend to open her eyes.

"Don't worry, sweetie, Mom's here."

Then, someone else in the room started lecturing me with earnest advice.

"Daniel, don't hold a grudge with Scarlett. She's been crashing at my place for nearly two months now because of you."

"Mine too! Scarlett's been staying at my house for almost a month, my husband's even started complaining."

Caleb, who was still by Scarlett's side, stepped forward. "Daniel, when Scarlett and I talk, she often mentions you and Leo. She really does care about you guys."

That's when I realized this call wasn't really for me to pick up Scarlett.

They wanted me to break down, get on my knees, apologize to Scarlett, and beg her to come home.

I scoffed.

"Always with these 'poor me' stories. Can't she just come home herself? Doesn't she have legs?"

"I work my ass off taking care of our son at home, but that's not 'suffering.' She throws a fit and slams the door, and that's suffering?"

"If living it up outside is 'suffering,' then maybe you and I should switch places, Scarlett. Stop pretending to be drunk."

"Do you want me to talk about what you've done in private, or right here, in front of everyone?"

Caleb, who was still beside her, instantly paled.

"Daniel, those were all misunderstandings."

Misunderstandings?

Fooling around and almost cheating on me while drunk, and when I confronted her, she couldn't answer, so she gave me the silent treatment instead.

Scarlett's face turned cold again, and she said nothing.

She shot Leo a dark look, and he instantly slumped, dragging his feet towards me. As he walked, he kept looking back longingly at Scarlett, hoping she'd call him back. That way, he could keep playing and wouldn't have to do schoolwork.

It was her subtle way of telling me to get lost, taking Leo with me. She wanted to stay here and enjoy herself.

Why was it always like this? I was completely fed up.

I stood my ground, pulling out the divorce papers.