I didn't have to work or wake up early to cook. I slept until I felt like getting up. Dirty clothes and messy floors were handled by housekeeping.

All I had to do was enjoy myself. I'd watch the scenery while sipping tea. Even my aching back stopped hurting.

But Lilith and Maisy couldn't sit still anymore.

When Maisy showed up, I was scrolling through short videos on my phone.

She brimmed with fury, her eyes darting like poisoned daggers across the room filled with shopping bags.

"Dad, how could you waste money like this? Why buy all this junk when you can save it for my wedding gift instead?"

I didn't miss the flash of greed in her eyes.

Maisy grabbed my arm, her chest heaving. It was clear that she was furious.

"Why live in a hotel when you have a home? Aren't you worried people will laugh at us?"

She pulled hard. I couldn't break free and had no choice but to follow her back.

As the sun dipped low, I looked at Maisy's twisted expression and suddenly remembered picking her up from school years ago.

Back then, she clung to me, and her voice was so sweet.

When the teacher in kindergarten fed her lunch, she never finished. She always saved the best bites to bring home for me.

When she was seriously ill, her vision was almost gone. Yet, she still tugged at my sleeve and whispered weakly, "Dad, if we can't afford treatment, then forget it. I don't want you to suffer."

At that moment, I broke down sobbing and swore that even if it killed me, I'd give her the best life possible.

Later, the path ahead for Maisy was indeed smooth.

She climbed higher by stepping on my shoulders. But because everything came too easily, she lost the ability to empathize.

Her values were completely warped. She became obsessed with status, driven by a volatile and superficial ambition.

In her eyes, Lilith was a refined, wealthy lady who naturally belonged with the gentle, elegant Hayden.

She had completely forgotten that without her embarrassing father, they wouldn't even qualify for a decent life.

When we got home, the first thing that hit me was the stench.

Rotting food lay piled up, trash was scattered everywhere, sticky liquid had dried onto the floor, and dirty pajamas were tossed aside.

No wonder Maisy rushed to drag me back. Without me acting as the housekeeper, everything had fallen apart.

"Sean," Lilith called out awkwardly.

Ignoring her, I went straight into the bedroom, cleared out the closet, and took my documents.

"What are you trying to do now?"

Maisy frowned and tossed me a broom. "Hurry up and clean. I'm starving."

Lilith looked as if she wanted to speak. She hovered near me, putting on a pitiful front.

"Honey, are you still angry? I know I was wrong, but you should remember the good too. Back then, I stayed with you in that old house with wind leaking in from everywhere. There wasn't even a proper bathroom. But I didn't run. I stayed with you through it all.

"Let's make up for old times' sake. I won't send him money anymore. I'll even give you my salary. Will that make you happy?"

She sobbed, her voice breaking.

I acted like I hadn't heard a word and zipped up my suitcase.

Lilith clenched her fists. The carefully chosen expression she wore finally cracked.

"Ungrateful bastard!"

She glared at me, ready to strike, when Maisy rushed in, clutching an envelope folder.

"Mom, this is bad!"

She was pale, and her body was shaking uncontrollably.

"Dad filed for divorce! He's suing you for an extramarital affair, hiding your income, and transferring marital assets! He's demanding compensation for all financial losses. That's eight million dollars in total!"