Chapter 1

On my son Lucas Williams' seventh birthday, my husband, Asher Williams, stood us up again because of his adopted sister, Sofia Robinson.

I tried to hold him back. "Just wait a bit. Lucas has been looking forward to your birthday present for a long time. You've never accompanied Lucas on his birthday. Please stay here this time."

Upon hearing this, Asher immediately turned stern. "Lillian Scott, can't you stop being so unreasonable?

"It's not easy for Sofia to raise a child on her own. If I don't go and take care of her, who will? What's more, what does it matter if we celebrate the birthday or not? Just tell him to go to bed early."

He left me and Lucas behind once again for Sofia, and this time, my heart went completely cold.

Once again, right in front of me and Lucas Williams, Asher Williams picked up his coat and walked out the door without looking back.

I had lost count of how many times he had deserted our family for Sofia Robinson.

"Don't worry. I'll come back as soon as I deal with things on Sofia's end. I'll try my best to be back in time to cut the cake with Lucas," he said.

I knew that once he left, he might be gone all night and might not even come back for several days.

Lucas tugged at the hem of his coat and asked softly, "Daddy, will you come back later?"

Without turning his head, Asher replied, "Of course. Even if I can't make it back today, I'll take you to the amusement park."

But for Lucas' birthdays in the past six years, he had been absent every single time.

I had married Asher right after graduating from college.

Back then, he was gentle and charming, and he took meticulous care of me.

Although our marriage was a business arrangement, we had dated for two years before our marriage.

After getting married, we had a plain but happy life for a while, and I found out I was pregnant the following year.

I could still remember how excited Asher was when he first learned he was going to be a father. His eyes were red with joy as he held me and promised to treat me well for the rest of his life.

But ever since Sofia came back, Asher had changed.

He became busier and busier, came home later and later, and showed less and less concern for me.

Even on the day I gave birth, he left me because of a phone call from Sofia and didn't show up again until Lucas and I were discharged from the hospital.

In the eight years of our marriage, I had to juggle work, take care of the child, and manage everything at home.

But Asher never seemed to notice how hard I was working and was completely devoted to his adopted sister.

Now, the house was quiet again, and he missed even our child's once-a-year birthday.

Looking at Lucas, who was disappointed and trying hard to hold back his tears, I picked up my phone and dialed Asher's number, my hands shaking.

It was my last attempt to save this marriage.

"Asher, can you come back now? Today is Lucas' seventh birthday. He has been looking forward to your birthday present for a long time.

"You've never celebrated Lucas' birthday with him. Please come back and spend some time with him this time," I pleaded.

On the other end of the phone, Asher's impatient voice sounded.

Through the receiver, I could also hear the laughter of Sofia and her son, Carter Robinson.

Asher shouted, "Lillian, I've told you many times. It's not easy for Sofia to raise a child on her own. Lucas is young and doesn't understand me. Don't you understand me either?

"What does it matter if we celebrate this stupid birthday or not? Just tell him to go to bed early and don't call me again."

With that, Asher hung up the phone directly.

My heart sank to the bottom.

It wasn't the first time that Asher had abandoned me and Lucas for Sofia.

I had already gotten used to Asher's absence from our home.

I pulled myself together, coaxed Lucas to cut the cake, and accidentally saw Sofia's Instagram.

In the photo, Sofia was holding Carter, and Asher was standing behind them. The three of them were smiling happily.

In Carter's hand was the limited-edition model that Lucas had been longing for and that Asher had promised to give him a long time ago.

Just yesterday, Lucas had secretly told me that Asher had promised him a surprise for his birthday.

But now, that surprise was on someone else's Instagram.

When Lucas saw this Instagram post, the tears that he had just held back started flowing.

He cried, "Mommy, does Daddy not like me? Why is he always not at home? Why did he give my birthday present to someone else?"

Looking at Lucas' red eyes from crying, I said in a hoarse voice, "Lucas, let's forget about Daddy, okay?"

Lucas nodded and threw himself into my arms. "Daddy always breaks his promises and makes Mommy unhappy. I don't want such a daddy."

I hugged him and told the nanny, Emma Thomas, to help us pack our things.

It was time for me and Asher to end this.