Chapter 4

The school entrance was bustling with people, a vibrant scene.

I held Lily's hand as we slowly walked into the school.

Lily kept looking back, constantly turning her head and gazing behind her, muttering,

"Daddy, do you think Mommy will suddenly appear behind us and surprise us?"

Her voice held a hint of anticipation, mixed with a touch of self-reassurance.

"Lily, Seraphina..."

I looked down, my heart aching, and gently patted Lily's head, about to offer comfort.

Suddenly, Lily's eyes lit up. She pointed excitedly at the road, jumping with joy and shouting,

"Daddy, look! It's Mommy's car! Mommy really came!"

Her voice was full of joyous surprise. Her previously dim eyes instantly sparkled with renewed light, and all gloom vanished.

She couldn't wait to run to her mother, eager to tell her so many things.

I was surprised and turned to look at the road.

A familiar car slowly pulled up to the curb.

Then, Seraphina elegantly stepped out of the driver's seat.

"Mom..." Lily called out one word in excitement, but her voice abruptly cut off, and the smile on her face instantly froze.

Following Lily's gaze, I saw Seraphina open the back door and gently lift Leo, Julian's son, out of the car.

Leo held a lollipop, happily licking it.

Julian walked beside them, holding Seraphina's bag. The three of them laughed and chatted, looking like a happy family. Seraphina turned her head to talk to Julian, her face radiating happiness.

Lily watched Seraphina holding Leo, her eyes filled with longing, and whispered, "Mommy..."

Her eyes revealed boundless envy and disappointment.

Seeing this, I immediately stepped forward and took Lily's hand.

I glared at Seraphina, calling out each word distinctly, "Se-ra-phi-na!"

Seraphina heard my voice and instinctively looked forward. When she saw Lily and me,

She froze, her smile instantly vanished, and she asked in surprise,

"Liam? What are you two doing here?"

"What am I doing here? That's a great question!"

My eyes burned with fury, and I spoke, barely suppressing my anger,

"Because this is Lily's school, and I'm here for her orientation ceremony!"

Seraphina froze at my words.

A look of embarrassment crossed her face, and she muttered, "Lily's... orientation ceremony?"

Julian looked at me, asking Seraphina with a bewildered expression, "Who is he?"

Leo, lollipop still in his mouth, mumbled along, "Mommy Seraphina, who is he?"

Seraphina's heart fluttered. She instinctively put Leo down and said somewhat unnaturally, "He's... someone insignificant!"

Julian smiled, saying meaningfully, "Oh! An insignificant person, then."

He glanced at me, then teased, "Looking at your furious expression, one might think you're her husband!"

Seraphina immediately denied it, loudly saying, "Someone like him? How could he possibly be my husband?"

She gritted her teeth, glaring at me. "Someone like him, every time I see him, it makes me sick to my stomach, utterly disgusted!"

I laughed, exasperated. "I make you sick to your stomach? I disgust you? Fine, fine! Since Mr. Seraphina finds me so repulsive, then from now on, I'll make sure to appear less often before Mr. Seraphina!"

Seraphina's breath hitched. She guiltily avoided my gaze, then took Leo's hand and turned to Julian, softly saying,

"Julian, let's go! Leo can't be late on his first day at his new school!"

Julian replied, "Alright!"

Seraphina, holding Leo's hand, walked side-by-side with Julian, and the three of them passed directly by Lily and me.

Just then, Leo suddenly turned back and stuck out his tongue at me, making a face. He even shouted,

"Ugh! You're so disgusting! You two are just disgusting for disgusting my dad, it's disgusting to the core!"

Seraphina paused at his words, about to say something.

But Leo suddenly hurled his lollipop at Lily and me.

I quickly shielded Lily. The lollipop hit me and bounced off.

Lily angrily shouted at Leo, "You can't insult my daddy! You can't hit my daddy!"

Leo made a smug face at Lily and arrogantly said, "Mommy Seraphina, I'll protect you from now on!"

He looked at me with disdain. "If you make me unhappy, I'll hit you every time I see you!"

Julian immediately pretended to scold Leo:

"Leo, what are you doing? How can you be so rude? Apologize to the man right now!"

Seraphina quickly interrupted, "Apologize for what?!"

She bent down, smiling at Leo. "Leo did great! That's what a man should do to protect a woman!"

Then she gave me a contemptuous look. "Unlike some scum, who only takes advantage of others!"

With that, Seraphina snorted at me, then took Leo's hand and, with Julian, strode into the school.

The anger in my heart was like a raging fire, with nowhere to vent.

Lily, watching their retreating backs, emerged from behind me, tightly holding my hand. Her voice was filled with disappointment.

"Daddy, I thought Mommy didn't like children, that's why she wouldn't hug me. But it seems... she just doesn't like me..." Her voice was choked with tears, and her eyes were constantly welling up.

I wanted to comfort Lily, but my throat felt as if it were constricted.

Lily suddenly looked up. "Daddy, is that the person Mommy loves?"

Her eyes held a hint of bewilderment and sadness.

I froze for a moment, then slowly nodded.

Lily smiled understandingly. "Daddy, Mommy only has one chance left. If she..."

She paused, her eyes growing resolute. "Then we'll leave her forever!"

Yet, even after Seraphina's egregious behavior,

A trace of love for her mother still lingered in her heart, hoping for a miracle in that last chance.

I caressed my daughter's head, saying with a pang of heartache, "Alright!"

But someone who constantly disappoints doesn't suddenly change.

My heart had already turned cold, and I continuously planned the preparations for our departure.

Lily smiled again, took my hand, and said, "Then, Daddy, let's hurry! We'll be late!"

She tried to appear strong, not wanting to worry her father.

But the unconcealable disappointment still betrayed her inner sadness.

I held Lily's hand, and we slowly walked into the school, facing the sunlight.

Our figures stretched long, long in the sunlight.

Sunlight poured over the school entrance, illuminating the ground brightly.

I walked slowly out of the school, holding a transfer certificate.

Just out of the school gate, I immediately spotted Julian waiting there.

Julian stood tall, a hint of smugness on his face.

I merely gave him a fleeting glance, then carefully put away the transfer certificate, ready to leave.

But Julian seemed intent on causing trouble. Seeing me about to go, he quickly stepped forward.

"Liam, is it?" His tone held a touch of arrogance.

I glanced back at him, my heart undisturbed, having no intention of engaging with this boring man. I lifted my foot to continue walking.

Julian said smugly, "I know you're Seraphina's rightful husband!"

But his tone clearly held a hint of mockery.

I heard his words and, surprised, looked back again. But soon, my expression returned to indifference, and I calmly said,

"Not for long." My voice was quiet, yet it carried a sense of finality.

Julian sneered, his face full of derision:

"Liam, who are you trying to fool with that 'I don't care' act? Everyone knows you've been fawning over Seraphina for years!"

He scoffed triumphantly, "But no matter how much you devoted yourself to Seraphina, in her heart, you'll always just be a rapist! Seeing you only makes her sick!"