Xavier Ford had fallen for a college student.

He pressured Thea Gonzales into divorcing him: "Thea, she's not interested in my money; she just wants to be recognized as my partner, and I have to give her that."

From high school days through to marriage, Thea and Xavier had been together for seven years. She stood by him during his lowest point in life. But now, as his career flourished, he found himself drawn to the youthful allure of someone younger.

He claimed that her presence reminded him of the struggles they endured when they could barely scrape by. He said she represented a part of his past he wished to leave behind—a stark contrast to the college student who admired him, sparking feelings of excitement and renewal.

Eventually, he got what he wanted and divorced her, but soon came to regret it.

***

The day Thea and Xavier finalized their divorce at the county clerk's office was the first time she met Addilyn Freeman.

Barely in her twenties, Addilyn radiated vibrancy and charm. Her joyful demeanor took Thea back to her own college days. Seeing them exit the building, Addilyn skipped into Xavier’s arms like an exuberant child, affectionately linking her arm with his.

Xavier, slightly anxious, steadied her. “Be careful, don’t get too carried away,” he said, with a quick glance at her belly. She teased him with a playful expression.

Xavier couldn’t resist giving her cheek a gentle pinch, relishing its youthful softness. Addilyn acted as if she just noticed Thea, withdrawing Xavier’s hand with a trace of shyness. “Stop it, people are watching,” she said.

With the divorce settled, Xavier felt no need to conceal anything. He told Thea bluntly, “Addilyn is pregnant. We’re getting our marriage license today.”

Noticing Addilyn’s stomach, Thea held onto her divorce papers a bit tighter, choosing silence over comment.

Addilyn eagerly pulled a box of spiced honey cake from her bag, offering it to Thea with a genuine smile. “This is the first box of spiced honey cake we're giving out. I truly hope you find happiness soon.”

Clinging to Xavier’s arm even more tightly, she thanked Thea. “And thank you for shaping Xavier into such a great man. He's thoughtful and caring. I’ll treasure him.”

“If you’re comfortable, could we swap numbers on WhatsApp? I’m new to this pregnancy thing and could really use your advice.”

Xavier was hesitant, preferring they didn’t keep in touch, but Thea added Addilyn on WhatsApp, just to rile him up.

Xavier was anxious, sending a message to warn Thea: “Thea, if you’re upset, take it out on me. But Addilyn is innocent and kind, and she’s pregnant. Don’t hurt her.”

Calmly, Thea walked away from them both.

Thea Gonzales and Xavier Ford had been together for seven years.

During their toughest times, when they couldn't afford proper meals, they subsisted on bread rolls for two months. There was even a period when they couldn't pay rent and spent nights at the train station. Yet, those were the years when they were most in love.

Later, as Xavier’s startup took off, people around him began to flatter him, and he started to change. During company meetings, whenever Thea disagreed with him, even if she was right, he took it as a personal attack. It seemed that because she had seen him at his lowest, he felt she was trying to undermine him, dismissing everything she said as if she looked down on him. Gradually, a rift grew between them.

The breaking point came one night when Xavier returned home drunk from a business dinner. He clumsily tore off Thea's vintage nightgown and kissed her forcefully. It had been a long time since they had been intimate. His sudden passion overwhelmed her, and she softened in his arms. But just as they were reaching the height of intimacy, Xavier held her tightly and, in a moment of thoughtlessness, whispered, "Addilyn..."

Thea's blood froze, and she felt as though her heart had been struck with a heavy blow. Xavier's ardor vanished. He rolled away and sat on the edge of the bed, his back to her. The room was dark, enveloped in stifling silence.

Staring at the black ceiling, Thea silently cried.

After what felt like an eternity, Xavier extinguished his cigarette, broke the silence, and said, "Let's get a divorce, Thea."

"I'm tired of the little things, like your hair all over the bed. And your perfume, it's always the same. Aren't you tired of it? It's getting to me."

He laid it all bare: "Being with you feels too familiar. But she’s different. She makes me feel alive and excited."

"I can't keep compromising like this anymore. Name your terms for the divorce. I’ll do my best to fulfill them, just let us be."

Xavier moved out that very night.

Thea had yelled, pleaded, and fought. But none of it mattered. His decision to abandon her and their daughter was final.

The only consideration he had left was sparing their daughter, Celine, from the harsh truth. They agreed to tell her that her father was working away for a while. Yet, less than six months after the divorce, little Celine persistently clung to Thea, asking for her dad and insisting he come home.

That evening, Celine once again seized the opportunity when Thea wasn't paying attention and secretly grabbed her phone, making a video call to Xavier.

When the call connected, she enthusiastically shouted, "Daddy!"

But it was Addilyn who answered.

Addilyn warmly greeted Celine through the screen, "Hey there, Celine."

Celine's expression turned serious as she asked, "Who are you? Why do you have my dad's phone?"

With a cheerful grin, Addilyn replied, "I'm your dad's..."

"Celine!" Thea suddenly interrupted, cutting Addilyn off mid-sentence. She swiftly took the phone from her daughter's grasp, ending the call abruptly. Startled, Celine began to cry.

Feeling both guilty and heartbroken, Thea knelt down to hug her daughter. "I'm sorry, sweetie. It was Mommy's fault for scaring you. I'm really sorry."

Celine cried throughout the evening, eventually falling asleep in Thea's arms, clutching her shirt tightly as if afraid Thea might leave her.

Watching her daughter's innocent face, Thea felt too distressed to sleep.

When she finally checked her phone, she saw Addilyn's latest update on Instagram:

"Happy one-year anniversary, Mr. Ford! Thanks for your love and companionship. I'm so happy and looking forward to our family of three. Love you~"

Thea tapped on the photo that accompanied the post.

In the picture, Xavier held Addilyn's hand. On her ring finger was a massive diamond ring.

Thea remembered when she and Xavier had shared those blissfully happy moments.

When their business secured its first major deal, Xavier had taken her to a jewelry store, insisting on buying her a large diamond ring.

Thinking about their budget, Thea had settled for a modest ring with a small diamond.

That day, they walked out of the department store, hand in hand, with Thea lifting her ring-clad hand towards the rising sun, watching it sparkle through the gaps between her fingers.

Even though it was only a small diamond, it still glittered in the sunlight.

Xavier had held both her hands tightly and promised, "Thea, I'll give you a good life. You'll never regret choosing me."

But Xavier, you've broken your promise.