Chapter 5

"Scarlett, we're getting a divorce."

The noisy room instantly fell silent. Scarlett Hayes finally looked up at me.

Her eyes were predictably clear and sharp.

Seven years of marriage, no matter how bad our fights got, I had never once mentioned divorce. Scarlett knew my personality: once I decided on something, there was no turning back.

She rose from the leather couch in a panic, covering the distance between us in a few steps.

"Are you serious?"

She was finally willing to look me in the eye and speak normally.

She looked down at Leo, then scoffed, "Daniel, if you want a divorce, you're not getting Leo. He'd rather be with me anyway."

"Stop messing around."

Scarlett was convinced I'd fight for Leo. She wasn't blind; she knew how much I'd endured and suffered for him over the years.

Leo clung tightly to his mother, glaring at me with resentment, as if terrified I'd snatch him away.

"Dad, I don't want you. I want Mom."

Caleb also walked over, a knowing smirk on his face as he advised me.

"Daniel, at your age, without a house or a job, you won't get custody of Leo."

"Just take Leo home. There's no point staying mad at each other overnight."

I clenched my jaw, my knuckles white on the divorce papers. I knew what I'd face when I came here, but seeing everyone's disdain and disapproval still made me falter.

But no. I pinched myself hard.

I reminded myself: Daniel, you have to be ruthless. Softness is a weakness to those who love you, but to those who don't, it's just a joke.

"Scarlett, don't worry."

"When we divorce, I don't want Leo, and I don't want the house."