Chapter 4

The next afternoon, Lily and I waited early on the kindergarten field.

She clutched her new sneakers, standing tall and proud.

Soon, other families arrived one after another.

Lily's expression grew anxious.

I silently prayed Julian wouldn't disappoint her again.

Over the next half hour, I called him countless times. None went through.

Seeing Lily's tiny knuckles turn white, I couldn't sit by anymore.

I left her with her teacher and rushed straight to Julian's company.

It was peak business hours, so I slipped in with the crowd.

Not knowing which floor he was on, I searched floor by floor.

Drenched in sweat, I finally found him outside the executive penthouse suite.

Before relief could set in, I froze.

Julian and Evelyn were playing with a little girl.

Bella's face shone with radiant, pampered happiness.

Julian looked like a doting father, his eyes full of tenderness as he laughed with her.

Lily flashed across my mind.

Same age, but denied her father's love, living in poverty.

At that moment, pride and dignity vanished.

My vision blurred red with hatred. I wanted everyone to see who this monster really was.

Just as I opened my mouth to scream, a hand clamped over my face from behind.

A security guard dragged me backward.

In that split second, Evelyn turned her head slightly and shot me a smirk.

A volcano of indignation erupted inside me.

Yet, I was thrown onto the street like a bag of trash.

Ignoring the scrapes on my arms, I scrambled up and tried to rush back in.

"I'm Julian Vance's wife! Let me in!"

The two guards shoved me to the ground again, full of contempt.

"Get lost, crazy woman! You think you can hustle people here in broad daylight?"

"Crazy woman?"

I laughed through my tears.

Finally accepting reality, I picked myself up and hurried back to the school.

When I arrived breathless, the scene broke my heart completely.

Lily stood alone outside the crowd, clutching her new sneakers.

Other kids pointed and giggled: "Her dad didn't show up again! Her daddy abandoned her!"

A roaring noise filled my ears. I rushed over and pulled Lily into my arms.

Seeing that I returned alone, Lily accepted the truth instantly.

She looked down at the shoes, quietly zipped them into her backpack, and smiled at me.

"Mommy, the week is up."

My heart shattered. I nodded through my tears.

Meanwhile, Julian began glancing at his watch, an unusual restlessness washing over him.

He couldn't stay any longer. What time was Lily's field day again?

He froze, realizing he hadn't even remembered the time, even though Natalie had reminded him repeatedly.

Panic crept in. He excused himself from the party and headed to his office.

Inside was the princess dress he had purchased that morning, intending to give it to Lily after the sports day.

Evelyn caught up to him.

"Julian, where are you going?"

Julian gave a distracted reply, walking toward the door without looking back.

"I have something to handle. Head back on your own later."

Evelyn quickly shot her daughter a look.

Bella grabbed his jacket, looking up with wide, pleading eyes.

"Uncle Julian, you said you'd take me to buy a new piano today. Why are you leaving so soon?"

Julian looked torn. "Uncle has an emergency. We'll go another day."

Bella refused to let go, whining stubbornly.

A headache pounded behind his temples. Julian looked at Evelyn for help, but she just shrugged helplessly.

Julian decided to call Natalie first.

Pulling out his phone, he realized it was turned off.

Nobody dared touch his phone except one person. He gave Evelyn a chilling look.

She avoided his eyes. Julian understood everything in an instant.

Without another word, he gently pulled Bella's hand off and strode out.

Bella was always demanding things. No matter how much he gave, she was never satisfied.

Yet what about his own daughter?

Lily was always so sensible, asking for so little, yet he had neglected her over and over.

Every forgotten memory flooded back, making his heart race violently.

Julian powered on his phone, terrified of what he might find.

A single text from Natalie popped up:

"Let's get a divorce."