"Exactly! Cynthia has been running all over the country on business—even during the New Year—for you and your company, while you sit comfortably in your office enjoying the benefits. And now, you're suspecting your own wife of fooling around? Do you have any conscience at all?"

My father-in-law, his face full of disappointment, pointed at me as he rebuked me, as if I had committed some unforgivable crime.

I thought of the way they had looked at Bobby just moments ago—so satisfied, so pleased. And then I thought of how, no matter how much money I had given them over the years, they had always remained distant and polite.

Only then did I finally understand: no matter what I did, I would never warm this family's hearts.

The truth settled cold and clear in my chest. Just as I was about to speak, the child in Cynthia's arms suddenly lashed out, kicking at me viciously.

"Bad guy, go away! Don't bully my mommy and daddy!"

The words "mommy and daddy" struck me like a knife.

Once, Cynthia and I had a child too.

Back then, I had been filled with joy at the thought of becoming a father. I bought her a house and a car to celebrate. I hired the best caregivers and a postpartum nanny to take care of her.

But before three months had passed, she tearfully told me she had slipped and lost the baby.

I still remembered how she had looked—face streaked with tears, grief-stricken. My heart had shattered, yet I held her close and comforted her.

"It's okay, honey. It's not your fault. We'll have another child."

To reassure her, I even transferred several shares into her name, afraid she might think I loved the child more than I loved her.

Never had I imagined that she had already borne another man's child—and that, over a single jealous remark from Bobby, she had decisively aborted ours.

The abortion certificate shown in that video was nothing less than a brutal mockery of all the love and devotion I had given her over the years.

It was laughable—utterly, bitterly laughable.

"If it's just a godchild, would he call you 'mommy and daddy'? What else do you have to say?"

I looked at Cynthia indifferently.

There was nothing left in my heart but ice.

She faltered for a moment, guilt flickering across her face, but still retorted stubbornly, "What's there to explain? Kids don't know any better. Calling familiar adults 'mommy and daddy'—what's so strange about that?

"Johnny, are you so bored you came all this way just to pick a fight? If you insist on accusing me of being unfaithful, then fine—we can go to the courthouse right now and file for divorce!"

As she spoke, she looked at me with utter heartbreak, tears streaming down her face.

In the past, I would have already been filled with guilt, pulling her into my arms to comfort her.

But now, all I felt was ridicule.

How had I never realized she was such a talented actress?

Bobby walked over, placing a hand on my shoulder in disapproval.

"Johnny, you should cherish a wife as beautiful and capable as her. How can you doubt her innocence without reason?

"I grew up with Cynthia. I know her character better than anyone. She would never do anything to betray you."

He said all the right things—but in the depths of his eyes, I caught a flicker of mockery and disdain.

The anger in my chest surged even higher.

"Get lost. Don't put on that fake act in front of me." I shrugged his hand off.

"Bobby!"

Cynthia rushed forward and kicked me.

"What right do you have to hit someone? When you have no argument, you just start making a scene—how crude!"

My mother-in-law hurried to help Bobby up from the ground, glaring at me as she cursed,

"Do you even want to stay married to Cynthia or not? If you don't, then get lost! Our family doesn't need a petty, abusive man like you!"

Bobby lowered his head, pressing his lips together.

"Mom, please stop. This is all my fault. I only wanted to mediate between them, but I ended up upsetting Johnny instead.

"I'll take the child and leave now. You all should go back and talk things through as a family. There's nothing that can't be resolved."

As he spoke, he reached for the child to leave. But the boy burst into tears, clinging to Cynthia. "I want Mommy! Bad man, go away! Waaaah—"

He shook off Bobby's hand and rushed at me, hitting and kicking.

A familiar pain flared in my stomach—the lingering ache from drinking too much the night before. Instinctively, I pushed him away.

Cynthia let out a sharp scream and shoved me hard into a flowerbed.

Jagged stones slammed into my lower back, sending a piercing pain through my body.

Her eyes filled with distress as she looked at the child—then she turned to me and roared with fury.

"He only called me 'Mommy' once, and you can't even tolerate a child that young? You're worse than an animal," Cynthia screamed.

I got to my feet, about to say something, but my father-in-law—his face twisted with anger—shoved me to the ground again.

"Johnny, I always thought you were a man who understood manners and respect. But your behavior today has truly disappointed me!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the whole family spat at me with vicious contempt before turning around, carrying the child as they left together.

Curled on the ground, I watched their backs recede into the distance. I pressed a hand over my stomach, which burned fiercely.

Last night, I had forced myself to endure glass after glass of liquor just so I could wrap up the business party early and hurry back to accompany Cynthia. Now, the pain in my stomach felt like it was on fire.

My eyes stung despite myself.

'Cynthia, since this is the path you've chosen… then I'll grant you your wish.'

Coldly, I dialed a number.

"Hello, Corey? Recover all the shares under Cynthia's name. Then draft a divorce agreement."

After giving instructions to my special assistant, I could no longer endure the pain and went to the hospital for treatment.

While waiting in line, I unexpectedly saw Cynthia and Bobby arrive with the child to register at the hospital.

Bobby's arm was wrapped tightly around Cynthia's waist. She smiled at him and leaned into his shoulder, the two of them so close it was as if no one else in the world existed.

Even though I had already decided on divorce, the sight still stabbed painfully into my chest.

In the past, whenever I tried to be a little more affectionate with Cynthia, she would refuse, saying she had never been used to standing too close to people since childhood. I had suppressed my disappointment and respected her wishes.

Even when we were intimate, aside from her physical reactions, she rarely gave me a smile.

So it wasn't that she couldn't smile. She simply didn't want to smile at me.

Bobby turned slightly and noticed me. A provocative smile curled at his lips as he deliberately lowered his head and kissed Cynthia.

She blushed shyly and kissed him back, deeply, almost forgetting they were in a hospital.

It wasn't until the child's young voice interrupted them that they finally pulled apart.

Cynthia turned her head awkwardly—and saw me standing there, my expression cold.

For a moment, her heartbeat seemed to skip. Then she quickly composed herself, her face turning indifferent.

"Why are you following me here again? Do you think pretending to be sick will make me feel sorry for you?

"Johnny, don't use these cheap tricks women play to gain sympathy. It only makes me look down on you."

The cramping in my stomach intensified.

I looked at her coldly.

"You're overthinking it."

"Number 28, Johnny King. Room 7." My number was called just then.

I stood up and walked over for my appointment, not sparing them another glance.

Cynthia hadn't expected that I was really here to see a doctor—and that I would treat her with such indifference. Watching the direction I left in, she pressed her lips tightly together.

"Cynthia, Johnny must be putting on an act," Bobby said.

"You can't soften your heart so easily. Otherwise, you won't be able to keep him under control in the future.

"When that happens, his immense fortune might end up going to some other woman."

"He wouldn't!" Cynthia refuted instinctively. "Johnny said he would only love me for the rest of his life."

A glint flashed in Bobby's eyes.

"All the more reason to keep a firm hold on him."

Cynthia nodded. "You're right. I can't seem too eager, or he'll think I can't live without him."

Bobby shot the child a look. The boy immediately clung to Cynthia and began acting spoiled, and just like that, she completely forgot about me.

After I returned to the hotel, I received messages from Cynthia and my in-laws.

First came Cynthia's accusation.

[Johnny, this afternoon we checked the child, and his back is all bruised. Transfer 100 thousand dollars for medical expenses right now. After that, come apologize to Bobby and his son in person, or I'll make you regret it!]

Then several messages arrived from my in-laws.

[Your baseless suspicion of Cynthia today was absolutely outrageous. She's so upset she couldn't even eat dinner. You must kneel and sincerely apologize, otherwise, don't expect us to forgive you easily.

[You'd better transfer some shares as well to show your sincerity. And Bobby and his son were innocent bystanders caught up in this. Coincidentally, Audi just released a new car recently—go pick one up tomorrow and give it to him as an apology.]

I stared at their utterly self-righteous demands, one after another, recalling all the benefits I had given to Cynthia's family over the years.

The cold, perfunctory indifference I had always received in return.

I let out a silent, mocking laugh and replied: [You want me to apologize to Bobby? Keep dreaming. No shares. No car. Just a divorce agreement.]

After sending the message, I blocked every one of them.

As soon as I finished handling matters, I rushed onto a plane and flew home, ignoring the barrage of calls Cynthia kept making.

When she couldn't get through to me, she grew even angrier.

Out in the open, she took Bobby and his son shopping through the city's major malls with my in-laws, posting photos of their "family time" on social media.

Friends flooded the posts with likes and comments.

[The three of you look perfect together—just like a real family.]

[Bobby's smile is so warm and gentle, unlike Johnny, who always seems so stern and unapproachable.]

Cynthia replied: [Bobby is so filial to my parents. Not like certain someone who's only come back a few times in all these years of marriage.]

Reading those words, my heart turned to ice.

She was the one who never let me accompany her home—so she could carry on with her lover—and yet she had the audacity to throw the blame onto me.

Over the years, although I hadn't visited often, I had transferred tens of thousands every year to support my in-laws. I never missed a holiday gift.

And this… was the evaluation I received in return.

Meanwhile, the money I earned had been funneled by Cynthia into buying houses and cars for her adulterous lover and his child, funding their carefree, indulgent lifestyle.

Otherwise, Bobby—who had lost both parents early and lacked any real ability—would never have been able to raise a child alone while living so comfortably.

No wonder he was so smug.

I had simply been too foolish, too easily deceived.

I notified all the banks to freeze the supplementary cards under Cynthia's name. Then I forwarded all the evidence my assistant had gathered—proof of her infidelity during our marriage and the massive transfer of assets to support her lover and child—to my lawyer.

He replied quickly.

[Mr. King, the evidence is more than sufficient. I will do my best to ensure the other party leaves the marriage with nothing.]

I sent back a simple thank you, then printed out the divorce agreement he had prepared and placed it on the table.

Just then, I heard the door open.

I looked up to see Cynthia striding in boldly, bringing Bobby and the child straight into the house. My brow furrowed deeply.

"Bobby said he wanted to stay here for a few days and take the child to the doctor, so I brought them home.

"Where's the 100 thousand dollars as compensation I told you to prepare?"

With her hand on her hip, Cynthia looked at me arrogantly.

"Without that money, don't expect me to forgive you so easily."

"Are you out of your mind?" I said coldly. "This is my house, and you bring another man here to stay?"

I immediately ordered security to throw them out.

Furious, Cynthia pointed at me and shouted, "Johnny, think carefully. If you dare kick them out today, our marriage is over!"

I handed her the divorce agreement without a trace of warmth.

"Don't worry. I was planning to divorce you anyway. When the time comes, the three of you can go be a family together."

Her face filled with disbelief, turning pale with anger.

"You're actually threatening me with divorce? Johnny, do you really think I'm afraid of you?"

She tore the agreement into pieces.

"This kind of push-and-pull trick won't work on me, let me tell you! When the time comes, even if you kneel and beg me to come back, it won't be that easy!"

With that, she stormed out with Bobby and the child.

The three of them went straight to the most luxurious five-star hotel in the city.

Cynthia handed over her ID to check in, frowning as she said viciously, "Bobby, you're right. I was too soft-hearted before. That's why Johnny dared to go this far. This time, I'll make sure to teach him a proper lesson."

Then, impatient, she snapped at the front desk,

"What's taking so long? I'm a VIP at your hotel. Can't you even handle something this simple? Where's your manager?"

The receptionist looked at her strangely.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Muller, but your VIP status has been revoked. Your bank cards have also been frozen."