Chapter 4

Scarlett laughed. "Alex, you're hilarious!"

Hilarious? No! I was serious.

I felt only hate for this mother and daughter, no love.

Chloe pursed her lips. "Dad, don't you want me anymore?"

Still pretending. Scarlett had taught her well; she'd changed into a completely different person in no time.

I slowly said, "Would you be willing to come with me?"

Chloe shook her head. "Dad, I don't want you and Mom to separate. We're a complete family. I promise to be a good girl from now on, okay?"

I already understood my daughter's choice.

That was my last test.

If she had chosen to come with me, I would have agreed to anything, no matter the cost.

But Chloe clearly knew Scarlett would harm me, yet she still chose to be an accomplice without hesitation.

Scarlett laughed. "Chloe, don't be scared. Your dad's just throwing a tantrum. He could never really leave you."

At that moment, Scarlett simply didn't believe I was serious about leaving.

I silently returned to my room. Scarlett and I had been separated for a long time; I lived in a storage room, a cramped 50-square-foot space with no windows or ventilation, not even enough space to stretch my legs when I slept.

Seeing me pack my things, Scarlett rushed over. "Alex, that's enough. There's a limit to how much you can pretend."

I said coldly, "The divorce papers will be mailed to you. Remember to sign them."

Scarlett scoffed. "You won't get custody of Chloe. The law will be on my side, you abuser."

Chloe cried, "Dad, Mom won't let me go. Stop messing around, it's useless."

I turned around and slowly said, "Who said I wanted custody?"

Chloe stopped crying. She looked at me in shock.

After being the apple of my eye for eight years, Chloe was used to my unconditional love. She keenly sensed the change.

Scarlett instinctively raised her leg. "Looks like you're asking for a beating. You need to be taught a lesson."

I grabbed Scarlett's ankle, then swung it. She lost her balance and fell to the floor.

"You... you're quite bold. You actually laid a hand on me!"

This was the first time I had ever initiated physical contact.

"So what?" I retorted.

My reputation was already trashed. I was the universally hated abuser. Scarlett could scream all she wanted, it wouldn't matter. People would just think I'd finally gone soft. Only Scarlett knew the seriousness of the situation.

Scarlett sneered, then raised her hand and slapped Chloe across the face. Chloe's cheek instantly showed a red handprint.

I just watched, without a word.

Scarlett suddenly panicked. Before, if Chloe even got a scratch, I'd be heartbroken for days, spoiling her rotten. Now, I was completely unmoved.

"Alex, I hit your daughter. Why aren't you doing anything?"

I chuckled softly. "Actually, she might not be."

Chloe looked at me with tear-filled eyes. "Dad, do you really not want me anymore?"

Yes, I don't.

The daughter who stabbed me in the heart can be had by whoever wants her.

Scarlett kicked Chloe, sending her sprawling. "Get a grip, you little brat! What are you crying for?!"

I knew this was Scarlett's test; she still couldn't believe I would be so heartless.

"You can hit her harder, just like you usually hit me."

With that, I packed the last of my personal belongings into my bag.

A single backpack held everything I owned.

Scarlett crossed her arms. "Alex, let's see what else you can do. You really surprise me, you're quite resilient!"

I pulled out my house keys, tossed them onto the bed, and walked straight out.

This wasn't my home.

My home wouldn't make me feel suffocated.

Just as I reached the door, Scarlett rushed at me like a madwoman.

She grabbed my hair violently, trying to slam my head against the wall.

I twisted my hand, threw her to the ground, then opened the door and walked out.

Scarlett didn't understand one thing.

My softness wasn't weakness.

It was because I still had hope for that family.

It was she and our daughter who utterly crushed everything I held dear.