One time, in kindergarten, a bigger classmate bullied her, mocking her for being a fatherless child.

She had come home in tears, her small hands wiping at her swollen eyes as she sobbed.

"Mommy, where is my daddy?"

"Why doesn't Daddy come home? Aurelia misses him so much."

For my daughter's sake, I had swallowed my pride again and again, forcing myself to seek out Nathaniel.

But by then, he had already made Ophelia’s place his home, shutting the door on us without a second thought.

I gathered my daughter into my arms, her tiny frame trembling against me.

The pain clenched at my heart like a vice, tightening until even breathing felt unbearable.

"Nathaniel, you're nothing but a beast."

"From now on, my daughter and I will never disturb your life again."

I flung the divorce papers at him, fully prepared for him to tear them apart like before.

But I had already anticipated that I had another copy waiting.

"I'm not the one making a scene. If you refuse to sign, then you're the one dragging this out."

Nathaniel’s eyes darkened with fury. "Don't play these games with me; I’m not an idiot."

"If you really wanted to leave, you would have done so long ago."

He turned to go, but just as he reached the door, he paused, throwing a glance over his shoulder, his eyes filled with cold amusement as if he were looking at a pair of beggars.

"Oh, right. If I remember correctly, your mother has a weak heart, doesn’t she?"

"What do you think would happen if she saw Ophelia and me being affectionate? Would she be so shocked she drops dead on the spot?"

I snapped my head up, locking eyes with Nathaniel. He stood there, grinning from ear to ear, his delight unmistakable.

At that moment, I saw him for what he truly was: shameless and cruel to the core.

I had once believed that marrying him would bring me happiness, only to find myself sinking into an abyss of despair.

My daughter clung to me, her small body trembling as she sobbed.

"Mommy, I’m sorry… Is it Grandma and me who have been holding you back?"

"No, Aurelia, don’t ever blame yourself. This has nothing to do with you."

That night, after putting her to bed, my phone rang. It was my mother.

"Clara! Did you and Nathaniel make up?"

"Listen to me; you must never argue with your husband. A wife should be more understanding. He works so hard outside; it’s not easy for him! Do you hear me?"

I opened my mouth to tell her about the divorce, but before I could, she broke into a violent fit of coughing.

I swallowed my words.

"My health is getting worse and worse. Looks like I’ll be joining your father soon."

We spoke for a while before I set my phone down. I walked out onto the balcony, letting the cold night air bite at my skin. Sleep never came.

By morning, Ophelia arrived.

When I opened the door, the first thing I saw was the dress she had on—one I had custom-made for myself.

"Good morning, Sister Clara!"

Following my gaze, she glanced down at the dress, then smiled even more smugly.

"You have such great taste, Sister Clara. This dress is beautiful. I casually mentioned liking it and Nathaniel handed it right over."

Faced with her mockery, I saw no reason to be polite.

"When it was finished, I realized it looked awful and planned to throw it out. I never expected him to pick it up. Thanks for saving me the trouble."

Her smile stiffened, then darkened into something sharp and venomous.

"But there’s one thing you can’t bear to throw away—Nathaniel."

She let out a slow, taunting laugh.

"Seven years, Clara. Every night since I came back, he’s been in my bed. He’s practically my husband now."

"But the funny thing is…" She leaned in slightly, her voice dipping into something sickly sweet. "Even when he holds me at night, I’m thinking of another man."

"Even if he's trash, I won’t let you have him, not even as scraps. I’d rather see your child mocked as a bastard."

At that moment, I finally understood Ophelia wasn’t in love with Nathaniel. She was only toying with him.

If Nathaniel hadn’t cast Ophelia aside, there had to be something more to it, something to gain.

Just as I was about to lash out, Nathaniel strolled in. Without a hint of concern for my presence, he pulled Ophelia into his arms and kissed her.

"Ophelia, you're here."

The two of them exchanged sweet whispers, their words laced with affection. I thought I would be burning with rage, but instead, I felt nothing. My heart was as still as a stagnant pond.

After dropping Aurelia off at kindergarten, I headed to the office.

But all day, my eye twitched. Restlessness gnawed at me, unease wrapping around my chest like a vice.

Then the phone call came to the hospital. My heart plunged. Aurelia had been scalded by hot water.

I rushed to the hospital, only to find Aurelia’s legs wrapped in bandages, the burns extensive.

It felt as if the ground had disappeared beneath me. The fear that coursed through me was so sharp it cut into my chest and I cried out in agony.

She had been fine when I left in the morning. How could this have happened?

My hands shook as I reached for her, but I pulled back, terrified of causing her more pain.

Tears blurred my vision and my fists clenched.

I needed to know the truth.

I checked the security footage at home.

Aurelia had returned from school at 4:30 p.m. What happened in those few hours that led to her burns?

When I saw the footage, I was overwhelmed by a rage I’d never known before.

Ophelia had made Aurelia boil water and cook noodles, all while she lounged on the sofa, painting her nails.

Aurelia, just six years old, was forced to serve her.

And Nathaniel? He didn’t stop her. No, he stood there, encouraging it, ordering Aurelia around like she was nothing but a servant.

My little girl had believed that by obeying them, she could win her father's approval and that his smile would be hers once again.

But when she carefully brought the freshly made noodles over, Ophelia, still leisurely painting her nails, snapped at her, irritated by the disturbance.

Then, with a cruel force, Ophelia struck Aurelia’s hand, sending the hot noodles spilling across her legs.

Instead of showing concern, Ophelia only scolded her, walking away with a flick of her wrist, leaving my daughter to cry in pain on the floor.

It was a kind neighbor who found her, rushing her to the hospital just in time.

After hearing the whole truth, I hired a nurse to tend to my child, then stormed home, my heart burning with fury.

I never expected to walk in on Nathaniel and Ophelia in the middle of their affair.

Fury surged through me like wildfire and without thinking, I kicked Nathaniel, sending him stumbling backward as he tried to remove his pants. I stormed past him and slapped Ophelia across the face, grabbing her by the hair.

"I used to think all fathers loved their children," I spat, my voice trembling with rage. "But now I see I was wrong."

"And you, how could you be so cruel to harm a six-year-old child?"

Ophelia screeched, "You lunatic! Are you out of your mind, acting like this in the middle of the night? Just because I’ve put up with you doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want!"

Nathaniel’s fist struck my back and when I didn’t release Ophelia, he glanced at her with worry before kicking me aside.

He grabbed me by the collar, his fury boiling over as he roared, "You don’t need to ask for a divorce; I don’t want you anymore!"

"I told you, anyone who dares lay a hand on her will pay the price!"

I laughed loudly and bitterly, but inside, it was nothing but emptiness.

If I had known the price I would pay, I would have divorced him the very moment I had the chance.

"Then I beg you, hurry up and divorce me! The sooner, the better!"

"Don’t worry. By the time you get to the office tomorrow, the divorce papers will be waiting for you."

"I don’t want a single penny of your pathetic assets. And as for my belongings, you won’t get a dime."

"The consequences of provoking me are not something you can afford to bear."

Soon enough, I learned just how true those words were.

The next day, when I arrived at the company, my assistant was already waiting at the entrance, her expression tense with anxiety.

As soon as my assistant spotted me, she rushed over, her face pale with worry.

"President Sinclair, bad news!"

"Nathaniel brought a woman into the company and took over your office. He even claimed the company belonged to the Carter family, not the Sinclair family. He showed an official certificate to back it up."