Chapter 1

On our fifth anniversary, Serena's lover showed up at our door with their secret son.

Julian cried, looking innocent as hell, "Caleb, I'm not here to break you two up."

Serena looked guilty. "Caleb, don't overthink this. The baby was just an accident. Besides, Julian has a terminal illness, only a month left to live. Once he's gone, you can raise the child."

I stared at the five-year-old in front of me, my heart twisting in agony.

Five years of marriage. I'd been severely injured protecting her, and our own child was lost in that car crash. Yet she already had a child outside, and now she expected me to raise *their* son!

I didn't say a word. I just quietly drafted the divorce papers, then dialed that long-dormant number.

"You once said you'd marry me if I divorced. Does that still stand?"

The person on the other end immediately burst into a smile. "It does!"

Signing the last stroke on the divorce papers, my eyes burned. I quickly squeezed them shut to hold back the tears.

It was supposed to be our fifth anniversary. I'd booked this restaurant a month in advance, wanting to celebrate with Serena. Now, it was pointless.

But then the manager called me. "Mr. Stone, your wife, Mrs. Stone, has already been seated with two guests. She said you'd be covering the rest of the bill."

My fingers tightened around my phone.

She didn't just take her lover to the restaurant I booked; she expected *me* to pay for it?

"Alright, I'll be right there."

Twenty minutes later, I stood outside the restaurant.

Through the glass, I saw Serena gently serving Julian food, carefully wiping Noah's mouth.

A happy family of three. It made my heart ache.

We'd celebrated our first anniversary at this very restaurant.

Back then, Serena had booked my favorite window seat in advance and ordered a table full of my favorite dishes.

She'd meticulously served me, gently wiping sauce from my lips.

But now, same scene, all that tenderness, all that care, was for another man.

I pushed down the storm of emotions inside me and walked into the restaurant.

Serena saw me and spoke coldly. "You're here, good. Settle the bill."

"The restaurant's pretty good. Julian likes the food here."

Serena didn't even bother to look up at me. Julian, on the other hand, had a gleam of pure defiance in his eyes.

"Caleb, don't just stand there, why don't you join us?" He turned to Serena, feigning innocence. "Serena, I really want their signature dessert. Could you ask if they still have it?"

Serena smiled indulgently. "Alright, wait for me. I'll be right back."

As soon as Serena left, Julian's smile vanished.

"Caleb Stone, it's been five years, and you still lost to me." He slowly wiped his mouth. "She's always loved me, from the very beginning."

I looked at him calmly. "Are you done?"

Julian seemed surprised by my composure. "You know what? I don't have a terminal illness at all. It was all an act!"

My heart fluttered slightly, and I gave a bitter twist to my lips.

Five years of marriage, shattered so easily by a single lie.

Did Serena know?

Before I could even process it, Julian's face suddenly changed. He grabbed the soup bowl in front of him and splashed it all over himself.

He cried out in pain. "Caleb, I know you don't like me, but how could you throw hot soup on me? I'm a patient, my body's so weak..."

Before I could react, Serena's scream came from behind me. "Caleb! What are you doing?!"

She rushed forward, pulling Julian protectively behind her, checking his injuries.

"Serena, my hand hurts so much." Julian's eyes were red-rimmed, and he held out his scalded hand.

Serena saw the red mark on his hand, and her fury surged.

She picked up the cup of hot tea that had just been poured for me and, without hesitation, splashed it all over me!

The scalding liquid hit my arm, instantly turning it red and swollen.

A fiery, sharp pain instantly spread, making me almost lose my footing.

Serena saw my reddened arm, but she just said coldly, "That's your lesson!"

"Julian can't be left alone! I was even planning to spend two days a week at home with you, but I can't believe how petty you're acting for a grown man!"

I looked at her and suddenly felt utterly pointless.

"Serena, don't bother. Divorce me, and you can be with him every day."

Serena snapped her head up, her expression complicated, but her impatience was practically spilling from her eyes. "How old are you, acting so jealous and throwing threats? I told you Julian's sick, I'm just looking after him. Your mind is just twisted, you see everything in a dirty way!"

With that, she stopped looking at me, shielded Julian and Noah, and walked away, leaving me standing alone amidst the mess.