Chapter 2

The moment I hung up the phone, exhaustion washed over me like a tidal wave.

The carefully prepared dishes and flowers in the living room were thrown into the trash without a second thought.

Despite not having slept for days, I forced myself to pack Joy Valentine's luggage.

Everything was neatly packed and placed in the corner of the living room.

After finishing, I collapsed into bed.

When I woke up again, it was already the next morning.

Joy had not returned all night.

My phone only had a few scattered messages from her—

"I was wrong this time. Let's make up for our anniversary when things settle down."

"Why aren't you replying? Speak up! I've already apologized, what more do you want?"

I opened her social media.

The nine-grid photos were all intimate snapshots of her and Felix Laurent.

In a few, they were holding bubble tea, leaning against each other, smiling like a couple deeply in love.

Joy captioned the post: "Life is like a crossroads. Some people, once missed, are gone forever. Others, after parting ways, will meet again. Times change, hearts shift, but at least we remain us."

The post had just been shared, and Jenny Valentine immediately liked and commented—

"Felix is back? Why didn't you call me? I want to have dinner with him too!"

Half an hour later, Mrs. Valentine chimed in: "Felix is back? You kept it quiet! Your dad was just saying he wanted to play chess with him. Bring him home for dinner, I'll cook his favorite seafood feast!"

In all these years of marriage, the Valentines had never shown me such warmth.

I used to be a civil servant, earning a modest salary, living a stable but dull life.

The Valentines thought I didn’t earn enough and pressured me to quit and venture into business.

Now, I work day and night, constantly overworked.

To take care of Joy's parents, I stayed in her city.

Mrs. Valentine has health issues, so I accompany her to the hospital on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Mr. Valentine loves chess, so I spent a fortune on a custom rosewood chess set for him.

Jenny struggled academically and couldn’t get into college, so I pulled strings to get her tutoring, helping her graduate and land a decent job.

Yet, the entire family still looked down on me.

Every time we visited, no one bothered to talk to me.

My phone vibrated suddenly.

Joy texted: "Mom and Dad want me and Felix to come home for dinner. Are you coming?"

Before I could reply, she sent another: "Remember to bring gifts. My parents already don’t like you, and Felix knows how to charm them better. Don’t embarrass me this time."

I brought no gifts.

Only a set of divorce papers to the Valentines' home.

The moment I pushed the door open, the laughter in the living room stopped abruptly.

The Valentines were gathered around Felix, chatting and laughing happily.

Joy frowned at me: "Why are you so late? Where are the things I asked you to bring?"

Mrs. Valentine said with a sneer: "No wonder you’re so unpopular, you’re so clueless."

Felix gave me a meaningful smile, then turned to present his gifts: "Mr. and Mrs. Valentine, it’s been a while. Just a small token, please don’t mind."

Mrs. Valentine has chronic health issues and can’t consume ginseng or deer antler.

Mr. Valentine has high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and liver problems, so he can’t drink spirits.

In the past, I would have spoken up to stop them.

But not anymore.

Since he’s their long-awaited "golden son-in-law," why should I interfere?

Mrs. Valentine accepted the gifts with a smile, then turned to me with a stern face—

"What are you standing there for? Can’t you see we’re talking? Go check on the soup in the kitchen!"