Chapter 2

The next morning, I rushed through the new store's ribbon-cutting ceremony and drove straight to Leo's elementary school.

By the time I arrived, the Family Field Day had already begun.

Cheering echoed across the field. They were doing the piggyback relay race.

I saw Vivian carrying Leo, running remarkably fast.

She was wearing a tight, elegant designer dress. Even in high heels, she was leading the pack.

Leo looked at the other kids falling behind and laughed happily.

"Faster, Mom! Let's go to Dad!"

I thought Leo had spotted me in the crowd. But to my horror, he was shouting toward another man standing at the finish line.

Waiting at the end of the track was a man in a well-tailored suit. His shirt was fitted, showing off his athletic build.

Vivian practically threw Leo into the man's arms.

The man caught him, but he didn't run very fast. He looked a bit out of breath, actually.

Honestly, he wasn't even trying to run. He was just posing, trying to look cool for the other moms watching.

Naturally, he ended up in last place.

But Leo didn't mind at all. He lovingly wiped the sweat from the man's forehead.

"It's okay, Dad! You're still the coolest dad ever!"

Watching this, my heart felt like it was being hacked by a dull blade.

My wife, who was usually cold and rarely smiled.

My son, who was usually mischievous and stubborn.

They were showering another man with pure joy and affection.

They looked like a perfect, happy family. And I was left standing there, questioning my own existence.

What was I to them?

Did all my years of hard work and devotion mean nothing?

I walked straight up to them and stopped. I didn't say a word.

The moment Vivian saw me, panic flashed in her eyes.

The man quickly set Leo down.

He stretched out his hand, offering me a polite, easy smile.

"Arthur, I didn't expect you to make it back."

"Vivian told me you were busy, so she asked me to stand in for the father-son race. I hope you don't mind."

I stared at this shameless man.

His name was Simon Cole. He was Vivian's childhood friend and a client she had introduced to my company.

To be precise, Simon’s company was just a middleman. He bought goods from my company and resold them to make a profit.

I had only given him those lucrative contracts to make Vivian happy.

I never expected that while he was eating from my plate, he was planning to steal my entire kitchen.

He wanted my wife, my son, and my life.

I stood frozen, refusing to take his hand. Vivian immediately lost her patience.

"Arthur, where are your manners?"

"I was afraid you wouldn't make it, so I asked Simon to help. Don't be so petty."

I chuckled, but she was the one getting defensive.

Just because I gave Simon the cold shoulder, she jumped to his defense.

Between her husband and her childhood friend, she chose the latter without a second thought.

"Arthur, Simon is really nice, and he's just as cool as you!" Leo said, tugging my hand.

But I wondered who he was really calling "Dad" in his head.

My sweet little son had just called another man "Dad" so naturally.

I patted Leo's head and smiled. "Alright, whatever you say, buddy. Let's go home later, and I'll make your favorite ribs."

He jumped up and down, cheering.

But as I pulled my hand back, a few strands of his hair remained in my palm.

The intimate way the three of them had interacted forced me to face a dark suspicion.