Chapter 4

“You know?” Her face instantly darkened, and there was even a hint of accusation in her tone.

I didn’t know what I had done to deserve this. I had sacrificed my future, my dignity, and my parents' life savings for her.

Leo was six years old and still wearing worn-out clothes others had discarded, only to be called sloppy and dirty by his own mother.

I couldn’t live this life anymore.

I pulled out the divorce papers she had given me earlier and signed my name.

“Ms. Seraphina, let’s get a divorce.”

I quickly packed our meager belongings and strode out with Leo in my arms. Seraphina stood frozen for a moment, then scurried after us in her wheelchair.

There was panic in her eyes.

“Dean, get back here! You’re just a plumber. Where else are you going to find a woman like me, with my connections, my status, if you leave?”

“Leo has always wanted to go to First Academy, hasn’t he? You’ve spoiled him rotten. His grades are awful, and he’s so vain, so undisciplined, always sloppy and dirty. A child like that, without a mother with my reputation and influence, would never get into First Academy.”

I covered Leo’s ears and got into the taxi waiting by the curb.

The taxi’s exhaust fumes seemed to choke Seraphina, making her even more agitated. “Dean, there’s a limit to how childish you can be. I’m giving you a way out. Don’t push it, or that chance will be gone.”

She thought I could never leave her, that I was just playing games out of anger. But she didn’t know that I simply didn’t love her anymore.

Leo stretched out a small hand and wiped away a tear from my eye.

“Leo will be good, Dad. I’ll study hard, and I’ll wash myself clean. Please, Mom and Dad, don’t argue.”

My son thought if he just tried a little harder, his mother would love him again. He didn't know that some hearts just can’t be warmed.

Leo and I checked into a small, unassuming motel. Seraphina’s wedding was just days away, so I assumed she wouldn’t have time to bother us.

But to my surprise, she showed up the very next day.

I thought she had come to humiliate me again, but she said she wanted to take me to donate blood for Blake’s son, Caleb.

I tried to kick her out, but a line of burly bodyguards appeared before me.

“You’ve sold blood for me before, haven’t you? To pay for my treatments? So you know the drill. Your and Leo’s blood types match Caleb’s. He’s just a kid, it won’t be much. You won’t even feel it.”

“If Caleb makes it, I’ll let you stay by my side. Even after I marry Blake, I’ll make time to visit you at your dingy apartment.”

She ignored Leo’s cries and forcibly dragged us into her car.

For Leo’s safety, I had no choice but to go with them.

There are strict limits on how much blood a person can donate. But Seraphina, wanting to reassure Blake, had them hold me down and forcibly drew three massive tubes of blood. I passed out from blood loss.

When I opened my eyes, Leo wasn’t there.

I asked the nurses and learned that Leo was rushed to the ICU.

He had been bouncing around, full of life, just a short while ago. How could he suddenly be in such a critical state?

I confronted Seraphina, but she was annoyed.

“It’s all your fault for spoiling him! A six-year-old child can’t possibly be anemic. He barely had any blood drawn and started faking it? Such a young kid, and already so manipulative.”

“He’s bad at studying and vain, isn’t he? He just can’t stand me being good to Caleb. He probably thinks if Caleb dies, he’ll get my money? Dream on.”

She was convinced Leo was faking, and no matter how the doctors explained, she refused to believe them. All she cared about, all she could see, was Blake's son.

My Leo was smart and sensible. How could he possibly be faking?