Chapter 1

It was Kindergarten Family Day.

My wife, Serena, claimed she had company business and told me and our daughter, Lily, not to go.

So, I decided to take Lily myself.

As soon as we walked in, I saw Serena, one arm cradling a little boy, the other hand holding our childhood sweetheart, Ryan.

They looked like a real family of three, laughing and chatting, perfectly harmonious.

Until they saw Lily and me.

Serena's brow furrowed slightly, and she finally let go of Ryan's hand.

"Daniel, don't misunderstand. It's tough for Ryan, being a single dad. Today is his son's fifth birthday, and he just wanted him to experience a mother's love."

I shot her a meaningful glance, then crouched down, taking Lily's small hand.

"Sweetheart, say hello to Ms. Serena."

Seeing this, Ryan quickly took his son, his face apologetic.

"Daniel, please don't be mad. Serena meant well. Leo grew up without a mom, and today's his fifth birthday. Serena was just helping him fulfill a dream of having a mother."

I stared at him, a half-smile playing on my lips.

"If that's the case, now that Lily and I are here, shouldn't Serena come back to us? After all, we're the real family of three."

Ryan froze slightly, but the boy in his arms wasn't having it.

"Mommy, you promised you'd spend today with Daddy and me!"

The five-year-old glared at me with fierce eyes.

I raised an eyebrow. "Mommy"? They're already calling her "Mommy"?

Before I could say anything else, Serena stepped in front of them, adopting a protective stance.

Her tone was impatient.

"Daniel, you're a parent too. Do you have absolutely no empathy?"

"Ryan and I grew up together. I'm just spending one day with them, just one day! Do you really have to be so petty about this?"

I scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping me. Was Ryan's misfortune my fault?

Just then, other parents and their kids started arriving, and someone came over to greet us.

"Leo's dad, Leo's mom, good morning! You two always come to Family Day together with Leo. Not like my husband, always saying he's busy with work, never caring about our child's growth."

Ryan awkwardly returned the greeting, and I saw a flicker of panic in Serena's eyes.

I couldn't help but demand, "Serena, is this what you meant by 'just one day'?!"

Serena flushed with anger, grabbing my arm.

"Daniel, there are a lot of people here, don't make a scene!"

She then looked down at Lily, lowering her voice.

"If you make a fuss, it won't be good for Lily, will it?"

Lily suddenly heard her name and looked around confused.

But she still didn't seem to understand what was happening, just clinging tightly to my leg, her small hand clutching mine, already sweaty.

I felt her unease. I knelt down, stroked her little ponytail, and whispered,

"Daddy's here, sweetheart. There's nothing to be scared of."

I watched Serena, Ryan, and Leo walk away.

Soon, they were surrounded by the crowd.

Some parents, eager to flatter, smiled and greeted Serena.

They were praising her successful career, how she'd become the CEO of a multi-billion dollar company in her early thirties.

Serena was undoubtedly arrogant and smug, practically strutting with pride.

And Ryan? He stared at Serena with shining eyes, looking as if he were basking in her reflected glory.

Leo, still in Serena's arms, suddenly looked back and shot me a defiant grimace.

A cold laugh bubbled up in my chest. It looked like Serena had gotten way too ahead of herself.

Even though I'd cut down my time at the company to be with Lily, 75% of Everwing Group's shares were in my name. I was the real CEO, the actual boss.

She had just latched onto me, and out of marital consideration, I'd given her a manager title.

I pulled out my phone and messaged Chloe in HR:

"Chloe, transfer Serena from her manager position. Internal announcement next Monday."

Then I messaged Marcus in Legal:

"Marcus, draft a divorce agreement for Serena and me."