Chapter 2

My ears buzzed loudly, the sound overwhelming everything. It took a long time before I found my voice.

"So, you agreed?"

Clara sighed.

"Liam, even though Alex isn't your biological brother, he's still family since Mom and Dad adopted him."

"And it's just to help him get back on his feet. As soon as Alex is discharged, I'll still be your wife, and Lily's mom."

Before I could speak, Lily chimed in:

"That's right, Daddy! Alex has been feeling really down lately, you should try to understand him!"

I silently watched the mother and daughter in front of me.

This was the woman I had loved for so many years.

This was the child I had painstakingly raised.

I asked myself if I had ever made a mistake; I truly believed I had been a good son, husband, and father. My conscience was clear.

Yet, in the end, I received their betrayal.

But it didn't matter now. If Alex wanted it, I would give him everything.

I didn't want any of it anymore.

I looked up at Clara. "Fine, I agree!"

A flicker of surprise crossed Clara's eyes. "Really?"

With that, she quickly pulled a divorce agreement from a drawer and placed it on the table.

I gave a slight, bitter smile.

Clara, Clara. Your eagerness is so transparent, you're not even trying to hide it, are you?

I picked up the pen and quickly signed.

After I signed, Clara's face was filled with utter satisfaction, her expression solemn and seemingly affectionate.

"Liam, we'll remarry once Alex is discharged. Don't worry, I'll never betray you!"

Clara finished speaking and signed the divorce agreement herself. After signing,

She looked at me and sighed, "Liam, you've become so much more mature than before. I know I've had my faults too, I was wrong."

"Once Alex is well, I promise I'll never let you worry about anything again!"

"That's right, Daddy!" Lily, trying to sound like a little adult, also spoke up.

"Daddy is so good to Alex, I'm proud of you!"

Watching them, a wave of despair washed over me.

Before this, I had held onto a last shred of hope for Clara and Lily.

And now...

It's over. I had no expectations left, except for death.

I stood up, intending to walk past them and rest in my room.

A powerful wave of dizziness hit me, and I couldn't help but collapse.

In that last flickering second before my world went black, I thought I saw Clara's face, etched with a fleeting panic.

I was jolted awake by a sudden chill.

When I opened my eyes, I found myself still lying on the floor.

Clara and Lily were both looking at me, their faces etched with disappointment.

"Mom, I told you! Daddy's just faking it again!" Lily said.

"Daddy, can you stop being so childish? You're really delaying us from going to see Alex at the hospital!"

Faking it?

Then Clara spoke, her voice filled with disappointment:

"Liam, can you please stop this nonsense?"

"Didn't I tell you? Even though we're divorced, you're still the one I love. You really don't need to use childish tricks like faking a faint to test me!"

After hearing Clara's words, I finally understood.

The painkiller I took, it completely blocked out all symptoms for three days.

During that time, I'd look and feel like a perfectly normal person, my complexion no different from anyone else's.

But the side effects were brutal: after those three days, my organs would fail, and I'd die.

Turns out, the medication was doing its job a little too well.

I forced myself to stand. "It's probably just low blood sugar, it's nothing. I'll come to the hospital with you."

"There are still some transfer documents that need Alex to sign."

Clara nodded. There wasn't a hint of surprise on her face, so my parents must have told her beforehand.

At the hospital, Alex was in his room, watching TV.

"Liam, you're here!" Alex still looked pale,

But his spirits were clearly much higher. I didn't miss the smugness, the outright arrogance, glittering in his eyes.

"Liam, thank you for trusting me and letting me manage your businesses. Don't worry, I won't let you down!"

"That's right, Liam! With your shops and company in Alex's hands, you can just relax at home every day and collect dividends. How wonderful is that!" Mom said, smiling.

I took out the remaining documents from my bag. "In that case, I'll let him manage all my other assets too."

"That way, I won't have to worry about anything anymore."

Everyone in the room froze.