Chapter 2

Julian walked in, holding the hand of an eight-year-old girl.

Victoria, who had always hated children, immediately scooped Chloe into her arms.

Radiating maternal warmth, she said gently, "He's not a dumpster diver, sweetheart. That’s Uncle Ethan. Say hi to Uncle Ethan."

The little girl pouted. "I don't want a homeless trash-picker for an uncle."

A flash of triumph gleamed in Julian’s eyes, though his tone was mockingly polite.

"Chloe, where are your manners? Ethan, she’s just a kid. You wouldn't hold a grudge against a child, would you?"

"By the way, thank you for stepping aside so Victoria and I could be together."

Clutching the broken fragments against my chest, I stood up and looked at their picture-perfect family of three.

I let out a self-deprecating laugh. "Of course not. She’s right. I really am here picking up trash."

"See? Isn't this trash in my arms?"

Victoria's eyes flashed with guilt. "Ethan, don't be mad at a child. Leave the model with me. I'll spend whatever it takes to hire the best restorers to fix it, okay?"

I shook my head, my heart completely numb.

"No need. Once something is broken, it's broken."

Even if repaired, it would never be the same.

Victoria breathed a sigh of relief. Glancing down at the girl in her arms, she smiled softly.

"Good. I was worried you’d be upset. Look at her, Ethan. Doesn't she look just like me? It's almost like she came from my own womb."

"Oh, right, I promised Chloe I’d take her out for a nice lunch, so..."

Before she could finish, I nodded. "Yeah. I'm leaving right now."

The child truly looked like Victoria's spitting image.

And her age matched up far too well.

My heart was thoroughly dead. I turned to walk away.

Before stepping out, I offered my blessing: "Happy marriage to both of you. And little girl, I wish you a happy, healthy life."

Carrying the fragments to my car, I texted my mentor.

"I accept the offer. I'll join the indefinite classified research camp in the desert next month."

...

Victoria and I met at a university-industry tech summit.

Back then, I was a rising star in naval engineering; she was an infamous, flirtatious heiress in the business world.

Yet from the moment she saw me, she claimed it was love at first sight. She cut ties with every fling, chasing me relentlessly.

Eventually, I gave in.

Her family was vehemently against our union.

My parents were ordinary farmers, nowhere near her elite social standing.

Yet Victoria threatened to end her life if she couldn't marry me.

That was how we ended up at the altar.

Thinking back now, I couldn't help but laugh at myself.

Even the fiercest love had an expiration date.

It was time for me to go.

Putting the broken pieces in my car, I drove to Victoria's grandmother's house.

When everyone opposed us, Nana was the only one who supported me.

Since I was leaving for good, I had to say goodbye.

Nana was thrilled to see me. "Ethan, weren't you just here the day before yesterday? What brought you back so soon?"

Before I could answer, a loud voice boomed from the entrance.

"Mom! Victoria finally divorced that nobody Ethan and got together with the Hayes family's young heir!"

"Come look at your great-granddaughter! She looks exactly like Victoria!"

My father-in-law walked in excitedly holding Chloe. The moment he spotted me, his face darkened.

"What are you doing here? Get the hell out! You're no son-in-law of the Vance family anymore."

Nana gasped. "What? Ethan, you and Victoria got divorced?"

I kept silent and merely nodded.

My father-in-law had always despised me. He finally got what he wanted.

Just then, Victoria and Julian walked in, holding hands.

Seeing me, Victoria panicked and ripped her hand away from Julian's grip.

"Ethan! My dad doesn't know about our temporary separation. Don't misunderstand!"

Did he not know, or did she intentionally keep quiet?

A temporary divorce was just an excuse anyway.

I shook my head. "It's fine. I just came to visit Nana. Since you're all here, I should get going."

I turned to Nana. "Goodbye, Nana."

Ignoring her desperate pleas for me to stay, I walked out.

Behind me, Nana slammed her cane, screaming, "Get out! All of you, get out! Ethan is the only grandson-in-law I acknowledge!"

"And take that brat with you! I only want Ethan's children! Get lost, you ungrateful wretches!"

Chloe burst into frantic tears. Victoria immediately panicked.

"Nana! I didn't ask you to accept Julian right away! I just brought Chloe to meet her great-grandmother! Was that really worth terrifying a child over?!"

"Julian, let's go!"

Fuming, Victoria stormed out with the girl in her arms, bumping straight into me by the gate.

"Eth—Ethan? You haven't left yet?"