Chapter 2

Skylar visited our house again.

"Serena, I truly envy you. Your husband, Julian, is so skilled in medicine, so caring and devoted to his family. He’s the perfect man," she gushed.

Julian smiled modestly, frowned at me again, then seemingly casually asked Skylar,

"Is it hard raising a child alone?"

They played off each other perfectly, an unspoken understanding between them.

And I, I felt like an outsider, completely out of place.

I subtly asked Julian if he and Skylar were getting too close.

He looked utterly transparent, his eyes clear. "I'm just being responsible as a doctor, caring for Skylar and her son."

"Besides, it's not easy for Skylar to raise a child by herself. As a friend, I should help out more," Julian said.

I stayed silent. I knew what he was really thinking.

That day, the way Skylar looked at Julian was full of admiration.

And the way Julian looked at Skylar had a tenderness he rarely showed me.

Julian ruffled Caleb's hair.

"Caleb, next time, Uncle Julian will buy you a remote-control car!"

"Yay! Thank you, Uncle Julian! I love you the most!" Caleb exclaimed.

After they left, our son Leo asked, "Dad, can I have a remote-control car too?"

"Don’t you know how busy I am at work? A remote-control car? Aren't you annoying?!" my husband snapped.

"But you just promised Caleb…" Leo’s voice was filled with hurt.

"He's a guest! Is that the same thing?!" My husband's voice rose sharply.

Leo silently teared up, then began to cry.

"Are you going to cry again?!"

My husband grabbed Leo, slapping him.

Leo instantly stopped crying.

"You pathetic scum! A remote-control car is for kids with brains! You brainless bastard, do you deserve one?"

With that, he started punching and kicking Leo.

Leo scrambled to my side, hugging me.

"Go to your mom, what good is your mom?! You little brat, always demanding this and that!"

My husband followed, slapping Leo again, knocking him to the floor.

Leo hit his head, bleeding.

"You disgusting punk! Wasting my medical bills again! I'll beat you to death!"

My husband didn't stop, continuing the vicious assault.

I still said nothing.