Chapter 2

"Baby's birthday tomorrow. Can you come be with him?"

My heart pounded. I didn't need to think twice; the woman from five years ago was back.

The next morning, Michael whistled as he combed his hair, shaving his beard with unusual care.

I quietly followed him out the door.

He, who was usually so stingy, actually walked into a high-end department store.

After buying two sets of kids' clothes, he entered a fancy bakery, pointing to a cake decorated with an Ultraman figure and asking the price.

The clerk enthusiastically asked:

"Is it for your grandson's birthday, sir? How many candles do you need?"

Michael's face flushed, embarrassed, and he nodded, holding up four fingers.

Watching his face, beaming with happiness, my heart ached as if pierced by needles.

He’d lecture Chloe if she bought clothes for Leo that cost more than twenty dollars, but he ordered a hundred-dollar cake without batting an eye.

Afraid I'd be suspicious if he didn't come home for dinner, he arranged to have lunch with Jessica and her son.

The moment he saw the boy, his face lit up, and he picked him up, spinning him around.

They went into the children's play area at the mall. I stood by the entrance, looking at the price list, a bitter feeling rising in my chest.

Two adults and one child: $39.99.

My hands trembling, I sent him a text:

"Let's go to the courthouse to schedule our divorce tomorrow."

His reply came quickly:

"Okay."

I stared at that single word, stunned and numb for a long time.

All these years of our marriage, ultimately, couldn't compete with their mere six months together.

The next day, Michael took my hand as we walked out the door.

When the city hall clerk asked the reason for the divorce, Michael blurted out:

"Irreconcilable differences."

The clerk smiled, shaking her head:

"Sir, you're just discovering irreconcilable differences after 30 years of marriage? Marriage isn't easy; maybe you should think it over before deciding."

But I couldn't wait. The thought of that woman's face made it hard for me to breathe.

"I have cancer. I don't want to burden him. Just get it done for us."

At that, the room fell silent.

The clerk looked at Michael, shook her head, and sighed deeply.

The moment I walked out of city hall, I suddenly felt a wave of relief, as if a huge boulder had been lifted from my chest.

Michael grabbed my hand, tentatively saying:

"Then I'll move to David's place for now, to hide out. With a grandson now, we can't let those people find our home."

"Okay. Will you come back in 30 days?"

"Of course, I will. Without the divorce certificate, those guys won't believe me."

"Alright, I'll wait for you right here then. You must come."

That night, Michael packed some personal belongings and hurried out of the house.

Before he left, he even reminded me not to forget to change his paralyzed mother's adult diapers.

The very next day after he left, a group of men suddenly showed up at our recycling yard, carrying bats.

They shouted loudly, "Michael! Come out!"