My husband, David, didn’t love me, and he certainly didn’t love our son.

The day Finn was born, David didn’t even glance at him, just thrust him into my arms.

Years later, on Finn’s eighth birthday,

The man, usually so distant, came home for the first time, completely drunk, and held Finn and me in his arms.

I thought the years of frozen indifference were finally melting.

But then I heard him, his voice slurred, endlessly murmuring the names of his "sunshine" and her son.

And that day was precisely when his "sunshine" had returned from overseas.

Finn, with his congenital hearing impairment, still clung to his father’s neck, asking me joyfully:

“Mommy, is it because I scored a hundred on my test that Daddy finally likes me?”

I knelt, pulling him into my embrace, explaining through reddened eyes:

“It’s because the person Daddy loves has returned, so Daddy is very happy.”

“But we also need to leave Daddy and live our own lives now.”

1

The next morning, I submitted my resignation at the office.

Mr. Davis, my manager, looked at me in surprise:

“You’re resigning?”

“Mr. Evans just promoted you to department head. Why would you resign now?”

Hearing that familiar name, the smile on my face stiffened even further.

Mark Evans was my boss, and the father of my child.

Nine years ago, I was his personal assistant. One wild night, fueled by alcohol, we had a child.

This year marked our eighth year of a hidden marriage.

And his eighth year of forbidding our son from calling him “Dad.”

Thinking of the hope in Finn’s eyes last night, and the name David had continuously whispered.

I used the excuse I’d prepared long ago, telling Mr. Davis:

“Finn’s father has settled abroad and called us to join him, so we can finally be a complete family.”

Hearing this, Mr. Davis nodded understandingly:

“I see. We thought you were a single mom.”

A single mom?

Hearing that term, I couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.

My eyes were full of unshed tears.

I wasn't a single mom, but I was worse off than one.

I had a husband, my son had a father, yet he wouldn’t spare us even a glance.

The tears welling in my eyes became impossible to hold back.

I quickly thanked Mr. Davis and walked out of the office.

In the hallway, David was showing Chloe around the company.

The woman walked ahead, a gentle smile on her face.

David walked behind her, his eyes never leaving her.

A female colleague, Maya, unaware of the truth, pulled me over to watch the spectacle.

“Hey, Grace, do you think Mr. Evans is finally thawing out?”

I managed a strained smile. An iron tree blooms only after decades.

But David…

Even if I waited a lifetime, he would never truly look at me.

In the fleeting moment we passed, I couldn’t help but call out to him:

“Dav…”

I’d barely started when David shot me a chilling glare.

“Assistant Miller, do you need something?”

His distant words held a warning, a warning for me to swallow the words in my mouth.

A warning for me to remember my place.

I lowered my eyes, using my last bit of strength to hide the redness in their corners.

“My apologies, Mr. Evans.”

David grunted in acknowledgment, not breaking his stride, as if he were passing a stranger.

I laughed at myself, swallowing the news of my resignation I had originally intended to tell him.

He wouldn’t care anyway.

Sitting back at my desk, I saw a voice message from Finn on his smart watch.

“Mommy, I thought about it. Let’s give Daddy three more chances, okay?”

“If… he really doesn’t like us, then we’ll leave him forever.”

Last night, after I suggested to Finn that we leave David.

Finn had been silent for a long time.

He didn’t understand why his father didn’t like him.

Nor did he understand why his father would give such a precious gift to a child he didn’t like.

He just held out the toy in his hand to me.

“But Mommy, Daddy just gave me a gift. If he doesn’t like me, why would he give me a gift?”

His expression was so eager, so desperate to prove he was a child loved by his father.

I parted my lips, but no words came out.

He was still small; he didn’t understand the complexities between adults.

He couldn't even clearly hear his father’s murmurs when David held him.

He just mistook that name for his own.

Mistook that love as a belated gift for himself.

I kissed Finn’s forehead, fighting the urge to sob, and said with a smile:

“Daddy gave you a gift because you’ve been doing your homework so well lately.”

“But, Daddy… he doesn’t like us staying in his house…”

“Mommy will take you away, okay?”

Finn pulled back his hand, clutching the toy David had given him tightly.

He didn’t speak another word all night.

Looking at Finn’s request now,

I swallowed my tears and answered, “Okay.”

David, Finn and I will give you three more chances.

After three chances.

You and us, we’ll be done.

2

Hearing me agree, Finn excitedly made his first request.

He wanted his dad to pick him up from school.

Finn had told me before.

From kindergarten to elementary, every kid had their dad pick them up from school.

Only he didn’t.

I knew this was Finn’s hope, so I swallowed my pride and called David.

The call was immediately hung up.

He sent a text message with just two words.

“Busy now.”

It was his usual line.

But from my desk, I could see him and Chloe in the break room, deep in conversation, looking quite intimate.

When someone passed by, he instinctively pulled Chloe closer, his eyes filled with an undeniable tenderness.

Pushing down the bitterness in my heart, I sent David another message.

“Finn wants you to pick him up from school today. Are you free tonight?”

From the break room, I saw David pick up his phone, then put it down less than three seconds later, his expression unchanged.

Looking at the chat screen, which remained without a reply, I gave a self-deprecating laugh.

I asked Mr. Davis for some time off, planning to leave work early to buy Finn some of his favorite snacks.

While snacks couldn't fully compensate for his dad not being there, I couldn’t let Finn be hurt anymore.

But just as I finished checking out at the grocery store,

David, as if he’d just seen my message, replied:

“Okay.”

A surge of surprise instantly filled my heart. I practically couldn’t wait to message Finn:

“Finn, be a good boy at the school gate.”

“Today, Daddy and Mommy will pick you up from school together!”

Without even seeing Finn’s reply, I could already imagine his excited expression.

His little hands clapping, showing off his two small canine teeth, burrowing into our embrace,

Sweetly calling out “Daddy” and “Mommy.”

That was the happiest scene I had imagined in eight years of marriage.

At Finn’s school gate, I looked around but didn’t see David.

Thinking he might be delayed, I quickly sent him another message, urging him.

Soon, Finn’s class emerged.

He rushed towards me, just as I’d imagined, full of excitement.

But seeing only me, he froze, a little dazed.

Finn lowered his head, adjusted his backpack strap, and asked me:

“He didn’t want to come, did he?”

Then, he smiled, pretending not to care, with an air of maturity beyond his years.

“It’s okay. Daddy’s busy, I understand.”

Listening to Finn’s understanding words, my chest felt as if it were crushed by a heavy stone.

The pain was so intense I could barely breathe.

“Finn, it’s okay. Mommy’s here, isn’t she?”

“And I bought you lots of your favorite snacks.”

“And a Transformer toy, too.”

I sniffled, quickly pulling out the gifts I’d prepared for him.

But in my haste, I fumbled, and the items in my hand scattered across the ground with a clatter.

Finn knelt down, carefully putting everything back into the bag, one by one. He tugged my hand and said:

“Mommy, let’s go home.”

I nodded, and on the side Finn couldn’t see, I wiped away my tears.

I took out my phone, intending to call a car to go home.

But as soon as I opened my phone, I saw Chloe’s social media post.

In the photo, the usually stern man wore a smile I had never seen before.

His arms were open, embracing a strange little boy.

And their location was at Finn’s school.

I looked up, searching frantically, and then suddenly caught sight of that familiar figure.

David was wearing the coat I had given him last year for our wedding anniversary.

I suppressed my emotions, picked up Finn, and started walking away.

Finn’s voice, suddenly very soft, reached my ear:

“Mommy, that looks like Daddy.”

I pressed Finn’s forehead to my chest, shielding his view, biting my lip hard.

“Silly boy, you’re mistaken. How could that be Daddy?”

“Daddy just told Mommy he’s in a meeting.”

“When Daddy finishes his meeting, he’ll bring you your favorite cake.”

I forced a smile, trying to comfort Finn.

I held him even tighter.

David, if you knew that you had only two chances left with Finn and me,

Would you regret it?

3

David came home the next afternoon.

He carried a cake, a rare hint of apology on his face.

“Sorry, I was too busy yesterday. Couldn’t pick up Finn. My bad.”

He certainly owed an apology, but I wouldn't accept it.

The damage was done; no amount of compensation could cover it.

I silently took the cake,

And was surprised to find it was truly Finn’s favorite teddy bear cake.

In eight years of marriage, David had never remembered Finn’s preferences.

For Finn’s last birthday, I was the one who bought the gifts and cake.

He merely made an appearance.

The gift he gave Finn then was just a freebie from the gift he bought for Chloe’s son.

Now, looking at the cake before me,

I had a bad feeling.

But Finn was overjoyed. He excitedly hugged David and said:

“Uncle, thank you.”

Watching Finn’s lips, I knew he had meant to say “Daddy.”

But in this moment of happiness, he feared David might show any displeasure.

And then he wouldn't like him anymore.

Finn’s thoughtfulness and caution made my eyes sting.

I was about to say something to David,

But he suddenly pulled me aside.

As if he had something to say.

“I heard from Chloe that Finn’s school is having a parent-child sports day.”

“Chloe is alone with her son, and they just moved here. They don’t know anyone.”

“I want to attend with them.”

Hearing his words, I felt a chill spread through my entire body.

My gaze drifted to Finn, who was happily eating cake in the living room. I said nothing.

He seemed to sense my mood.

He parted his lips, his tone softening unusually:

“You can spend whatever you want from the card. Find an excuse, take Finn on a trip abroad.”

“Otherwise, he’ll be unhappy if he sees me with someone else.”

He said it so easily.

But he already knew Chloe’s son and Finn were at the same school.

And he knew Finn would be unhappy seeing him play with someone else’s child.

Yet he still chose to do this.

He’d rather I lie, to deceive our son.

Than not accompany Chloe and her son.

My nails dug into my palms. I looked at the man I had spent so many years with,

And felt like he was a complete stranger.

He didn’t know,

He had lost another chance.

He had only one chance left.

“Understood.”

“I’ll pack our things as quickly as possible and take Finn away. We won’t disturb you.”

Since we were leaving anyway, a little sooner or later made no difference.

Seeing my prompt agreement, David was taken aback.

“I will compensate you two.”

I didn’t look up, just remained silent.

After David left, I thought for a moment, then delicately told Finn about it.

“Finn, Daddy might not be able to join you for the parent-child sports day this weekend.”

“Mommy’s thinking of taking you to Disneyland instead. How does that sound?”

Finn’s happy expression from eating cake froze.

He asked me, a little confused:

“Daddy’s not coming to the sports day, but Mommy can come with me. Why do we have to go to Disneyland?”

I clutched my clothes, afraid to meet Finn’s eyes:

“Because, Mommy doesn’t want those other kids to laugh at you for not having a daddy anymore.”

But Finn calmly opened his arms, embracing me,

As if to comfort me:

“It’s okay, Mommy. I’m already used to it.”

“Don’t be sad.”

I froze, tears finally streaming down my face, unstoppable.

How could I tell Finn the cruel truth?

Should I tell him that his father didn’t want to see him because he was going to play with other children?

Or should I tell him that his father didn’t love us, only others and their children?

I couldn't say anything.

I could only silently swallow the bitterness and heartache, and as before, protect my child with a sugarcoated truth.

I kissed Finn’s forehead, wiping away my tears where he couldn’t see them.

This was a mother’s pretense, maintained even in ultimate pain.

I knelt down, holding Finn’s small hand, forcing a smile.

“Finn…”

But before I could finish, Finn spoke first:

“Mommy, does Daddy really not want us anymore?”

4

“No, Finn, no.”

I shook my head, not wanting Finn to be so sad, desperately trying to deny the truth.

I wanted to tell him, Dad still has one more chance.

To tell him not to rush.

But Finn, instead, took my hand, drawing closer into my embrace.

“Mommy, let’s go. I don’t want to give Uncle another chance anymore.”

I looked up in disbelief, only to see Finn’s eyes slightly red.

My child, so well-behaved, so understanding.

All he ever wanted was a tiny bit of affection from his own father.

Just a little bit.

He used to think his dad disliked him because he wasn't good at school, which was why he wouldn't let him call him “Dad.”

But he studied so hard, getting perfect scores in every subject, even insisting on going to class when he had a fever.

David, still wouldn't let him say “Dad.”

Later, he thought his dad disliked him because of his bad hearing, not being able to understand people.

So no matter how painful the surgeries and treatments were, he insisted I take him to the hospital.

But now, his hearing was gradually recovering.

David had still not given him a single smile.

Instead, he whispered another person’s name in his ear.

My heart ached so much I could barely breathe.

Closing my eyes, I agreed to Finn’s request.

“Okay.”

David, this time, Finn and I, we won’t want you anymore.

We started packing our luggage together.

Everything David had ever given to Finn and me, we left it all behind in that house.

Finn’s face was bright with a radiant smile again.

Like a little man, he helped me carry the luggage downstairs.

And the day our flight took off,

Was also the day David was supposed to attend Chloe’s son’s parent-child sports day.

The night before, he had been afraid we would disturb his and Chloe’s family happiness.

He made a special trip home to see us.

His attitude was unusually gentle.

He even took the initiative to hold a gift, wanting to hug Finn.

But facing the embrace of the father he had once yearned for, Finn pulled away.

He stood to the side, not taking David’s gift, and said:

“Thank you, Uncle David. You can just put the gift on the coffee table.”

Hearing the title Finn used,

A flicker of panic suddenly crossed David’s face.

He looked at me in disbelief:

“Finn… what did he call me?”

I smiled, feeling a bitter irony.

“Isn’t this what you always wanted, Mr. Evans?”

Eight years of hidden marriage, David not only kept our relationship a secret.

He never even let Finn call him “Dad.”

The only difference was,

Before, he forced Finn to call him “Uncle.”

Now, Finn was actively drawing a line between them.

David looked at me, his eyes complex:

“Is this about the parent-child sports day?”

“I can explain it to Finn.”

I reminded him:

“Then what about Chloe? How will you explain it to her and her son?”

David seemed to just realize, reluctantly releasing my hand.

I scoffed, and took Finn’s hand, ready to leave.

Only then did David notice the packed luggage of Finn and me.

He asked, surprised:

“You’re going on a trip abroad, do you need to bring this much luggage?”

I smiled calmly:

“Yes, when a child travels, they need to bring a lot of things.”

“Mr. Evans has never taken care of a child, so it’s normal that you wouldn’t know.”

In those few short sentences, I clearly articulated David’s indifference to our family over the years.

A rare look of apology and panic appeared on his face.

He blocked our path to the car and said:

“When’s your flight? I’ll drive you.”

“Tomorrow.”

I said it directly.

Because I knew he would absolutely not show up tomorrow.

David froze for a moment, saying nothing, only telling us:

“Then be careful, you’re traveling alone with the child.”

His concerned eyes met ours.

But we, we no longer cared.

Waking up the next day, I took Finn into the private car bound for the airport.

Just as we arrived at the airport, preparing to check in our luggage, I heard a voice behind me:

“Grace, Finn!”

David, who should have been at the parent-child sports day, came rushing, his face beaming as he looked at us:

“Finn, how about Daddy comes with you to Orlando Disney? Are you happy?”

This was the first time he had openly acknowledged himself as Finn’s father.

But looking at the suitcase in his hand, Finn waved his hand, decisively refusing:

“No, thank you, Uncle David. Mommy and I are going to Australia to find my dad.”

“Please don’t disturb us anymore.”