I had promised to give Grayson one last chance. If he disappointed our daughter again, I would take her and leave—forever.

But in truth, I had long been ready to go. I had seen the fire in his eyes for Sandra and felt the cold indifference he reserved for me. Eight years was more than enough to erase every illusion I'd ever harbored about him.

While I was preparing Alicia's passport and printing school documents, her homeroom teacher approached me.

"Mrs. Ulrich, I wanted to talk to you about something."

The teacher handed me an application form.

"Master Danni, the renowned artist, is looking for an apprentice at our school. I think Alicia has incredible talent and a real chance to be noticed by him. Do you want to help her seize this opportunity?"

My heart leapt. Alicia had told me that Master Danni was her favorite artist. If she could study under him, her future would be limitless.

I made a silent decision to put aside all plans to go abroad. If Alicia could become Danni's student, I would stay in Bitaly for her.

"Thank you. I'd love to help her with this. Do you think she stands a good chance?" I asked as I filled out the form, my voice laced with hope and anxiety.

"Don't worry," the teacher said. "Alicia's talent is exceptional. There's really no one at her level in the school."

When I told Alicia the news, she practically bounced with excitement.

"Mom! I never dreamed I could study under Master Danni! Is this real? Am I dreaming?"

I smiled, though I tried to sound practical.

"You'll still have to ace the competition. Don't get too excited yet."

But Alicia was brimming with confidence.

"Don't worry, Mom. Nobody knows Master Danni better than me. I'll pass his test for sure."

"What's all the excitement about?" Grayson asked when he came home from work, taking off his jacket.

Alicia tried to hide her smile, making herself appear calm. I felt a pang of bittersweetness but forced a smile as I said, "Alicia has a competition tomorrow. She says she's confident she'll get first place."

Grayson nodded, not probing further. Instead, he looked at our daughter with unexpected seriousness.

"If you get first place, I'll reward you with a skateboard."

"Really?!" Alicia covered her mouth in excitement. She'd wanted a skateboard for so long, but he had always refused her requests.

This was the first time Grayson had voluntarily promised a reward to our daughter since her birth.

He hadn't expected her reaction. He paused, softening, and ran his hand over her hair.

"I mean it. I'll keep my promise."

With that promise in hand, Alicia was practically buzzing on the way to the competition. She chattered nonstop about how strict Master Danni was and how excellent his students were.

Then she asked me, "Mom, if I become Master Danni's apprentice… will Uncle like me more?"

I froze, my chest tightening. I wanted, before we left, for her to feel the warmth of her father's recognition—even if only once.

When the competition ended, Alicia was overjoyed.

"Mom! I saw Master Danni! He even praised me! Do you think he'll choose me?"

I shared in her excitement.

"No matter what, in my eyes, you're already the best."

But as we waited for the results, Alicia suddenly stared ahead in shock.

"Uncle?"

I looked up sharply. Not far off, Grayson was walking out of the competition hall with a little boy around Alicia's age.

And by his side was Sandra Wright, the woman he had never stopped loving.

Her son had taken the same competition, on the same day, at the same age, needing the same support.

But my daughter had never had a father like that by her side.

Before I could fully sink into my sorrow, Alicia's teacher approached, her expression tight with discomfort.

"Mrs. Ulrich… actually, Master Danni was very impressed with Alicia. But, for some reason, he ended up choosing another child."

My chest dropped like a stone. I couldn't help but ask, desperate, "If Master Danni liked Alicia, why would he choose someone else?"

The teacher kept glancing toward Sandra's group, hesitating before speaking.

"The Ulrich Group plans to invest half a million in Master Danni's gallery. Their only condition is that he accepts Bobby as his apprentice…"

The Ulrich Group? Grayson's company?

My heart tightened, as if a giant hand had gripped it, squeezing until I could barely breathe. This had been the opportunity Alicia had dreamed of for so long… and Grayson—how could he…

At that moment, Grayson looked up in our direction, his face puzzled.

"What are you doing here?"

He walked toward us, holding the little boy's hand, eyes wide with genuine curiosity.

I opened my mouth, but no words came.

Sandra stepped forward, slipping her arm around his and glancing at me with guarded affection.

"Grayson, who are they?"

Grayson lowered his eyes, avoiding mine.

"Just a friend."

His words shattered the last fragments of hope I'd clung to.

The little boy, oblivious, beamed up at him.

"Daddy, can I really become Master Danni's student? But I wasn't first in the competition…"

Grayson bent down, wrapping the boy in his arms with a tenderness I had never seen directed at our daughter. "Doesn't matter if you weren't first. I've already arranged it. You're going to be Master Danni's apprentice.

Then he turned to Sandra and said, "You both just came back to Bitaly, and haven't settled in yet. Letting Bobby study under Danni will make his path smoother in the future."

Sandra blushed, hiding her face shyly. "You would make such a good dad. No wonder Bobby talks about you all the time, wanting you to be his father."

I instinctively looked at Grayson, but he avoided my gaze. It was clear he hadn't confessed the truth to Sandra.

Sandra lifted her head proudly as she looked at me, still holding onto Grayson's arm.

"You're here for the competition too? Where's your daughter's father?"

I instinctively tightened my grip on Alicia's hand, about to speak, but she cut me off.

"My dad isn't in the country. He's very busy. I don't want to bother him."

Her words left both Grayson and me stunned.

I looked down in disbelief, seeing only my daughter's stubborn, tear-streaked face. She didn't look at me, only at Grayson, lifting her chin with a brave, understanding smile.

"Goodbye. My mom and I are leaving now."

The tears I had been holding back finally spilled. I turned quickly, discreetly wiping them away.

Grayson grabbed my arm suddenly.

"Alicia… she…"

His face was full of shock, his pupils contracting as if he had seen something he couldn't comprehend. I seized the moment to pull away, my voice calm but final.

"We're leaving. Goodbye, Mr. Ulrich."

That was our last goodbye.

That day, I took the passports I had prepared long ago, packed our bags, and booked tickets to Furlance. We didn't speak of Grayson again. Alicia even pretended lightly, talking about emailing Master Danni once we arrived.

Before we left, I placed the divorce papers I had prepared on the table, then wheeled our suitcases toward the airport.

Just as we were about to board, my phone buzzed with a message from Grayson.

[How did the competition go? I got a skateboard ready for her. Tomorrow I'll take the day off and take you both to a children's restaurant to celebrate.]

My heart ached. When she was little, Alicia had begged to go to that restaurant with him, and he had always refused. Now, she no longer expected it.

Seeing me reading the message, Alicia didn't ask anything. She simply followed me obediently, as if she had grown up overnight, no longer clinging to the hope of her father.

I stayed silent for a long moment before sending my final reply.

[No need. You can go with Sandra and Bobby. I wish you and your new family happiness.]

Almost immediately, my phone rang incessantly. I didn't answer. I powered it off decisively, took Alicia's hand, and boarded the plane.