Chapter 3

"Mr. Jude, your wife is here." My assistant rushed into my office. I’ve been staying at the office, but I’d told my assistant not to let Fiona in. I was exhausted, having focused solely on her, I’d neglected work. Taking the reins now, I felt overwhelmed.

Before I could respond, Fiona barged in with a cake. Her eyes lit up seeing me, putting the cake down and crossing her arms.

"Jude, I missed our anniversary, and you missed my birthday."

"We're even."

She didn’t wait for my reply, saying it all herself. I was speechless. I’d been so busy I forgot Fiona’s birthday. Since being with her, her birthday was my top priority. I’d always prepare in advance to surprise her.

When she saw me, her eyes brightened as she placed the cake on my desk and crossed her arms, looking at me with a sense of superiority.

"Jude, I missed our anniversary, and you missed my birthday. So, we're even now."

She didn't wait for my response and continued talking on her own. I was left speechless. I've been so caught up with work that Fiona's birthday slipped my mind. Ever since we started dating, her birthday was a day I never failed to plan for, always trying to surprise her. Yet, no matter what I did, she never seemed to care. Meanwhile, Gideon could do the smallest thing, and she'd be touched for days.

Last year, I went all out, taking her to her favorite place, buying expensive front-row concert tickets for her favorite singer, and even spending half a month at a temple praying for a peace charm. But none of this made her as happy as the roadside flower Gideon gave her, which is ironic since she's allergic to pollen.

Forgetting her birthday this time felt like a weight off my shoulders, a sign that I was finally moving on. I looked at Fiona's haughty demeanor, my expression icy.

"Do you really think we're even?"

"Maybe I should spend a night with my ex, then."

Predictably, Fiona was furious. She lashed out at me.

"Jude, how did you become like this?"

"You're my husband, and you forgot my birthday. Only Gideon remembered!"

Her accusation was laughable because she forgot that I had never missed her birthday before.

"Fiona, I think I've made myself clear. There's nothing between us anymore."

"We're getting a divorce, and I'll make room for Gideon. It's that simple."

Gideon always enjoyed Fiona's favoritism, while I naively believed that time would eventually win her over. I was so wrong.

Fiona's expression wavered, as if she couldn't believe I was serious. She lit the candles on the cake and said,

"Didn't you promise to grant my birthday wish every year?"

I frowned, sensing something.

"This year, my wish is for you to forgive me."

"Okay?"

Unexpectedly, I saw a hint of vulnerability on her face, but I quickly realized it was just a façade. I shook my head and said bluntly,

"If you really wanted to be with me, you wouldn't keep falling for Gideon's lies."

I looked at her, and all the past emotions were gone.

"You're a doctor and his childhood friend. Don't you know if he has a congenital heart condition?"

That statement ignited the awkward tension between us. Fiona threw the cake at me, nearly hitting my eye with the candle.

"You're still slandering Gideon!"

Her chest heaved with anger, her eyes filled with hatred.

"I misjudged you. You're a company owner, so why do you have to be against Gideon?"

"How could I not know if he has a heart condition? You're just ignorant of his suffering to say such disgusting things!"

With that, she turned and left, leaving only her determined back.

I signaled to my stunned assistant.

"Draft a divorce agreement for me."

I thought everything was settled, just waiting for the papers to be signed. But that night, Fiona called, her voice tearful.

"Jude, come quickly. Daphne is in trouble!"

Daphne is our daughter, spending her summer vacation with my mother. Hearing something happened to her, I rushed home.

The only thing holding me back from divorcing Fiona was Daphne. I didn't want her to grow up in a broken family.

Chapter 4

I hurriedly opened the door and saw someone who shouldn't be there.

Gideon was there, holding a sobbing Fiona, comforting her.

"It's okay, it's okay. We've done this so many times, and nothing happened, right?"

Their clothes were disheveled, Fiona's bra hanging loosely.

I didn't understand their cryptic talk and rushed to push them aside, looking at Daphne on the couch.

She was foaming at the mouth, unconscious.

Panic overwhelmed me, and I went to call 911, but Fiona stopped me.

"No, you can't."

I looked at her awkward expression and shouted.

"Are you crazy? Daphne is your daughter too, how can you just let her die?!"

Fiona couldn't hide it anymore and confessed everything.

It turns out they found Daphne noisy, so they gave her too many prescription meds. It wasn't the first time, but this time Gideon gave the wrong medicine, causing an allergic reaction.

Fiona grabbed my hand, gritting her teeth.

"If anyone finds out I stole prescription meds, I'll lose my job, and Gideon will go to jail."

She almost begged.

"I'm a doctor. I know Daphne's condition, she just needs some meds."

"You're the boss, you have money, can't you find a shady clinic for her? Don't let anyone know."

I looked at Fiona in silence.

She knew she was a doctor. Daphne is only four, and many prescription drugs have strong side effects even for adults, let alone a four-year-old.

My heart turned cold, and any last bit of love for Fiona vanished with her words.

Even in the wild, animals protect their young, yet she would risk Daphne's life to save herself and Gideon.

Compared to the panicked Fiona, Gideon was calm.

He seemed sure I would help Fiona.

"Jude, stop wasting time. Hurry and find a hospital to take her."

"Don't let her die here, it's bad luck."

He looked at Daphne with disgust, as if she was a piece of garbage he could toss anytime.

I couldn't take it anymore and punched Gideon to the ground.

Then pointed at Fiona, speaking clearly.

"Fiona, we're completely over."

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Chapter 5

I called emergency services and reported the situation.

Click.

I locked the door and gave a steely glare to the two anxious people in the room.

"You're not going anywhere with me here."

The police and ambulance arrived almost simultaneously.