Chapter 4

Years ago, my mother had been driven to jump from a building because of my father's infidelity. No one wanted to adopt me.

It was David who had appeared like an angel, pulling me out of the darkness.

He told me he would protect me forever, and I believed him.

When his family forced him to break up with Vivian, I stayed by his side year after year.

I had always believed we were each other's salvation.

Eventually, David fell in love with me.

I thought he was my savior, but now, he was the one dragging me back into the dark.

I ran back to the Jonathan estate like a madwoman.

Ignoring everyone who tried to stop me, I tore up our marriage certificate and smashed our bedroom to pieces.

Shards of glass cut into the soles of my feet, but I just kept crying like a lunatic who couldn't find an answer.

I didn't understand. How could someone who loved me so much change so completely?

Walking barefoot and numb along the sidewalk, I looked up at a giant digital billboard broadcasting a live interview.

David and Vivian were holding hands, their son running circles around them happily.

The host handed the microphone to Vivian.

"Mrs. Jonathan, we heard that you two were each other's first loves."

"After going through so much, you've finally ended up together. Mr. Jonathan must love you very much."

Vivian blushed, looking at David.

David gave her a doting smile, gently took the microphone, and spoke.

"My wife is a bit shy, so let me answer that."

He looked deeply into Vivian’s eyes and said clearly, "My wife is precious to me. I love her with all my heart."

The crowd below cheered.

But my eyes were fixed on the mermaid-shaped necklace around Vivian’s neck.

I remembered the years when I was plagued by nightmares of my past.

David had stayed awake with me night after night.

Later, because he hated seeing me suffer, he spent a fortune bidding at an auction for three days and nights just to win that mermaid necklace for me.

Back then, he had held me close and whispered gently, "I want you to be like a mermaid—free and unbound."

"Don't let the past lock you in. Just be yourself."

But that necklace had gone missing a year ago, and no matter how hard I looked, I couldn't find it.

It turned out he had given it to Vivian.

I closed my eyes, letting the tears fall.

Wiping them away, I listened to the wind howling in my ears as I dialed David’s number.

"David, congratulations on your wedding."

"We are already divorced. I'm keeping the house and the car."

"Plus, half of your assets."

When the Jonathan family kicked me out, they had already finalized the paperwork under the pre-signed draft David’s mother had forced upon me. David probably didn't even know yet.

The interview had just ended, and the background was noisy. David didn't hear me clearly.

"What did you say?"

"I'm busy right now. We'll talk when I get back."

The corners of my mouth curled up into a soft, firm smile.

"No need. It's nothing important."

Without waiting for his reply, I hung up and called my lawyer to draft the asset division agreement.

Before I could lock my phone, a notification popped up—a Snapchat video from Vivian's public story. A child’s innocent voice could be heard in the background.

"Daddy, it's your turn to read me a bedtime story tonight."

"Alright, but tomorrow night you have to give Mommy back to me. You can't keep hogging her."

"I need my wife, too."

The happy laughter of the three of them echoed from the speaker.

I laughed until tears came out, then sent David a message.

[This is the asset division agreement. If you have no objections, sign it.]

Ten minutes later, David called me back. He sounded like he was driving.

"What is this nonsense? We aren't divorced, why are we dividing assets?"

"Are you still throwing a tantrum?"

"I promise you, I'll come home early tonight to be with you."

I let out a soft laugh.

"David, go back and be with them."

"I stopped begging for your company a long time ago."

I hung up and booked a one-way flight for that afternoon.