Chapter 3

The non-disclosure agreement of the International Extreme Rescue Team was like an invisible wall, completely severing me from my old life.

Before setting foot on foreign soil, I had one final task—canceling my local registration and closing all my local accounts.

It meant saying goodbye to everything familiar: my name, my identity, and the days I spent with Chloe.

The next morning, the first ray of sunlight pierced through the curtains. I woke up early and got ready.

I took one long, final look at the house that was once filled with warmth, then turned and walked out without looking back.

At the government office, I followed the procedures step-by-step to de-register my local residency.

The clerk's face was cold and professional.

Watching my local ID card get punched and deactivated, a strange sense of liberation washed over me.

It wasn't just a piece of plastic being ruined; it was the official death of my past life.

Afterward, I wandered aimlessly down the street. I decided to head to a local flea market to sell off some old gear I no longer needed—a final farewell to my past.

The market was bustling and noisy, but I felt like I was in a different dimension, completely detached from the crowd.

Just as I was about to hand a vintage jacket to a vendor, a familiar group caught my eye.

Chloe and Zach were picking out a luxury stroller on Amazon, smiling happily.

Behind them were Arthur and Eleanor. They looked like a perfect, blissful family. I might as well have been a ghost.

"Now that we have the baby, we need to buy so much. Strollers, toys, cribs... all the essentials."

"Zach is so thoughtful, taking us out for a shopping spree. We should renovate the house soon, Chloe. I don't really like the current style."

I clenched my fists. I bought that house with my hard-earned savings before we got married. Every square foot was paid for with my sweat and blood.

When we married, out of love, I had put only Chloe's name on the deed.

And now, it was her and Zach’s cozy love nest, while I was treated like an intruder.

They spotted me. Surprise flashed across their faces, but they quickly recovered.

Chloe walked over, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Well, look who it is. The busy man. Disappearing first thing in the morning. When you're working, you're never home, and even when you're off, you're nowhere to be found."

Eleanor sneered, looking at me with disgust.

"You're barely home for two days, and you can't even bother to wake up and make breakfast? Chloe is still recovering, you know."

Zach smirked, throwing me a smug, triumphant look that practically said: "See? Everything that was yours is mine now."

He didn't look like a dying man at all.

I didn't want to argue. I felt like if I stayed any longer, they’d ask me to donate my kidney to him next.

Then, Chloe uttered something that left me utterly speechless.

"Sean, you made a lot of money from that long rescue mission, right? I gained some weight after giving birth and my clothes don't fit. Give me some cash so I can buy a new wardrobe."

I couldn't help but snap back.

"Why don't you ask the guy you had the baby with? Is Zach too broke to buy you clothes?"

Hearing this, Zach’s eyes welled with tears. He lowered his head, acting like a victim. What an actor.

Arthur and Eleanor immediately jumped to his defense.

"What is your problem, Sean?! Zach is sick! All his money goes to medical bills, and you're still bullying him!"

"How can you be so incredibly selfish? We are thoroughly ashamed to have a son-in-law like you! How embarrassing!"

Looking at their greedy, shameless faces, I felt nothing but disgust.

I coldly ignored their demands, turned around, and walked away without another word.

I knew I couldn't waste any more energy on these parasites.

For the remaining few days, I didn't want to see them at all. I rented a cheap weekly hotel nearby to get some peace and sleep.

I was no longer the fool blinded by love.

If Chloe wanted Zach, if she wanted his baby, they could have each other.

Let them live happily ever after.