Chapter 3

After handling things there, I went to my mother-in-law's to pick up John.

But I never expected that when John saw me, he would never call me Dad again. He didn't remember me.

Later when he started school and interacted with classmates, he disliked me even more.

He thought I wasn't impressive like other dads, saying I had no proper job.

The officer's words pulled me from my memories.

Turns out Martinez was clever and hid in a dumpster, successfully escaping.

He never boarded that boat.

A homeless man had taken him home, and the two had depended on each other all these years.

Recently that old man passed away. Someone discovered the child living alone and called the police, which led to finding him.

Martinez was dark-skinned and thin, looking so timid and pitiful it truly broke my heart.

I crouched down and patted his little head. "Don't be afraid. I'm your Uncle Mark."

His eyes blinked, not knowing what to think.

"Baby, you'll never go hungry or cold again. From now on, you'll live with me."

Tommy was an orphan with no grandparents, so now I was Martinez's only living relative in this world.

I brought Martinez home, bathed him, and dressed him in new clothes.

Holding his little hand, I discovered it was covered in frostbite.

I got the medicine kit and gently applied ointment.

The little guy was tough. Though it clearly hurt, he endured without making a sound.

I put on a cartoon for him. "Stay here by yourself for a bit. I'll make you a bowl of noodles."

When I came out with the food to call him, I found he'd fallen asleep at some point.

I covered him with a blanket. He woke up.

Rubbing his eyes, he looked adorably confused.

I was reminded of how John used to look just as clingy every time he woke up from naps when he was little.

Hugging my neck, slow and endearing as a sloth—so incredibly cute.

I couldn't help pulling Martinez into my arms. He didn't hug my neck like John used to, but instead touched my face.

I came back to my senses. "Martinez, I'm Mark. From now on you'll be with me, and this will be our home."

The little guy looked up at me, his eyes bright.

"Mark? Then why aren't you Dad?"

"I'm your mother's brother, not your father. Do you want to see your mom and dad?"

He nodded. I held him as I showed him old photos one by one, telling him their stories.

After looking at the photos, he suddenly kissed my cheek and called me Uncle Mark in his sweet little voice.

In that moment, I felt my heart melting.

Martinez was old enough for school but had never attended. I quickly contacted a kindergarten to enroll him.

He adapted very well, without the crying and fussing John had when he started.

Life proceeded in an orderly fashion, and Martinez and I grew closer and closer.

I enjoyed making snacks in my free time.

Things John had scorned, Martinez ate with delight.

This day I was making pumpkin balls for Martinez again when I received a call from Laura.

She seemed to have just woken up, her voice hoarse as she asked, "There's a mall opening ceremony tomorrow."

I instinctively told her which dress to pair with which jewelry, even specifying exactly which closet and which position.

After speaking, I fell silent, realizing this had become mechanical memory.

Laura still didn't seem fully awake. I could hear her rummaging around through the phone.

The other end stayed quiet. I reminded her, "If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."

She suddenly asked if I wanted to go with her tomorrow.

I found it ironic. Before, when I'd asked her to bring me to events, she never agreed once.

Now divorced, why would I go?

"I'll pass. And don't call me about these things anymore. Whether you hire a stylist or ask the nanny, just stop asking me. We're divorced now."