I looked at Xeno. He was spoiled beyond all limits. I lowered my eyes and gave in. “All right. I’ll find a way.”

“Thank you, honey,” Wendy said as she wrapped her arms around me. Her tone sounded “sincere.”

“Xeno and I won’t forget everything you’ve done for this family.”

Her false sweetness made my stomach turn.

She suddenly changed her tone.

“Oh, right. Since this is a school district apartment, the property deed should be in Xeno’s name only. It will all eventually belong to him.”

I did not answer right away. My fingers curled slightly at my side.

Matthew quickly chimed in with a light and upbeat tone, “That’s a great idea, Wendy. Putting it in Xeno’s name makes the most sense. He can even use it as his wedding home in the future.”

I sneered inside, but my expression remained compliant.

“Sure. Let’s do as you say and put it in Xeno’s name.”

Wendy and Matthew exchanged glances. The same flash of delight appeared in both their eyes.

They probably believed that once Xeno’s name was on the deed, the house would fully belong to them.

They did not know that I had already prepared a big surprise for them.

…

After that, they only grew more brazen.

Wendy often asked me for large amounts of cash under the guise of “furnishing loans” or “making connections.” My savings dwindled at a rate that was impossible to ignore.

Matthew started coming over more frequently. He walked into my home as if it belonged to him.

He criticized my housework, complained that the groceries I bought were not fresh, and said the meals I cooked did not suit Xeno’s taste.

He even “accidentally” touched the luxury watches on my desk and wore the new clothes in my closet that still had the tags on.

“Jason, this color is too dull for you. It doesn’t suit you. I’m slimmer, so it fits me better. No need to waste it.”

He stood in front of the mirror, dressed in my expensive suit, and combed his hair.

I nodded. “If you like it, take it.”

Xeno grew increasingly impatient with me.

Everything related to his daily life needed Matthew’s approval.

He constantly said things like, “Mr. Carter said” or “Mr. Carter bought this for me.”

The limited-edition LEGO set I prepared for him was tossed into a corner. “Mr. Carter promised to take me overseas. That is much better than this stupid toy.”

Wendy no longer bothered to hide anything. She openly flirted with Matthew right in front of me.

One time, I came home early and caught Matthew walking out of the master bathroom in my pajamas.

“Jason, you’re back already? I used the bathroom. The water heater at my place is broken,” he shamelessly said. His hair was still wet.

Wendy stepped out of the study and frowned. “Jason, why didn’t you call before coming home? You scared us.”

I stood there and slowly curled up my lips. “Sorry. I’ll keep that in mind next time.”

The apartment’s paperwork went through quickly. Before signing the contract, we needed to confirm the name on the property deed.

I picked up the pen and wrote Xeno’s name in the name field.

The pen scraped across the paper. At that moment, the last trace of warmth in my heart disappeared.

“All set.” I handed the contract back.

Wendy checked it carefully. When she confirmed there were no issues, a wide smile spread across her face.

I looked at her calmly. In my heart, I swore I would make them pay for betraying me.

…

All the paperwork for the apartment was finally complete.

Wendy held the property deed with shaking hands. The joy on her face was impossible to hide.

She waved her hand and said, “This is such a big occasion! We have to celebrate. This weekend, we’ll hold a housewarming party at the new place and invite all our friends and family!”

She exchanged a look with Matthew, and a sharp glint appeared in her eyes.

I knew it. She was not going to hold back any longer.

That weekend, the spacious apartment in the top school district was filled with guests.

Matthew wore a brand-new suit. Wendy was in a champagne-colored dress with flawless makeup. Standing together, they looked like a perfectly matched couple.

Wendy smiled and chatted with the guests while Matthew stood like the host and greeted everyone.

Xeno moved among the guests like a little prince and enjoyed all the praise and gifts.

After several rounds of drinks, Wendy decided it was time. She took Matthew and Xeno by the hand and walked to the center of the living room.

“Everyone, thank you for coming to our housewarming party. Today is also a day for our family to come together.”

Applause and laughter rose from the crowd.

“I want to take this opportunity to say something I have kept inside for many years. It must be said.”

Wendy’s tone grew stern.

“My marriage to Jason has been a mistake from the start. The person I truly love is Matthew!”

Her voice rose. “We have loved each other for many years, but for various reasons, we couldn’t be together. Even our child had to be raised by someone else and suffer separation from his real parents!”

The guests gasped in shock.

Matthew lowered his head at the right moment and wiped imaginary tears from his face.

Wendy’s voice choked with emotion. “And Xeno… is actually Matthew’s son!

“Today, I’m putting an end to this mistake!”

Wendy pointed at me and said sharply, “Jason, we’re divorcing. This house belongs to Xeno, which means it belongs to me. Since you raised Xeno for several years, I’ll let you keep the old apartment. I’ll even give you another hundred thousand as a gift. From now on, we’re done. Get out of my life!”

Matthew lifted his head with a cruel smile. “Jason, did you hear that? Xeno’s my son. I’m his real dad. You raised him for so many years, and now it’s time to return him to his rightful father.”

Xeno did not fully understand what was going on, but when he heard “rightful father” and “house belongs to Mom,” he shouted, “Go away! This is my mom’s house and Mr. Carter’s house. You’re not my dad!”

The three of them stood proudly in the spotlight. They were publicly driving me out, even though I was Wendy’s legal husband.

The crowd erupted.

“Wendy is unbelievable. She had an affair and gave birth to someone else’s child.”

“Poor Jason. He raised someone else’s child for all these years.”

“This man is shameless. He ruined their family and still dares to act so self-righteous.”

“No. Jason, you can’t let this marriage end. They can’t get away with this.”

“That’s right. Fight them. You deserve part of the house too.”

Friends and relatives voiced their outrage and defended me.

Wendy and Matthew had not expected such a strong reaction. Their expressions darkened, but they tried to stay calm.

Matthew raised his voice. “This is a family matter. Why are you interfering? Wendy is just following her heart. What’s wrong with that? Jason couldn’t even keep his wife. Whose fault is that?”

His words only made people angrier.

Amidst the shouting and pleas for me not to give in, I slowly lifted my head and calmly said, “I appreciate everyone’s concern.”

The room fell silent. Everyone looked at me in confusion.

I turned to Wendy, then looked at Matthew, and finally glanced at Xeno.

I spoke slowly. “I’m divorcing her.”

I signed the divorce papers.

Wendy took the papers and examined my signature carefully. A fully relaxed smile spread across her face.

“From now on, may we each live our own lives.”

She said this while holding Matthew’s arm and calling Xeno to go enjoy their “new life.”

“Wait,” I said. My voice rang out clearly.

“Before the three of you go enjoy your new life, I have one big gift for you.”