When Benjamin woke up the following day, he spoke coldly, "Jocelyn Stevens, I will take responsibility for this and marry you."

I thought my happy life was about to begin, but I accidentally overheard his conversation with a friend at a gathering. "Ben, you should count yourself lucky. Jocelyn has a great figure, comes from money and most importantly, she loves you. Just settle down with her."

Benjamin exhaled a puff of smoke and sneered, "At first, I had some feelings for her, too, but I never expected her to be so easy. The thought of her drugging me and forcing herself on me that night disgusts me."

I hadn't even figured out how to explain things to him before he got his visa and left the country two weeks later. That night, however, left me with a child.

I gave birth to my daughter, Esther, alone, eagerly awaiting his return. Instead, I found him entangled with Cynthia and her daughter.

The villa was eerily quiet. I picked up my phone, just about to call Benjamin and ask when he would come home. Just then, the door swung open and he walked in indifferently. He glanced at the sleeping Esther and casually said, "Jessica is coming over to play tomorrow. You and Esther should go out."

Noticing my confused expression, he smiled faintly and explained, "Jessica is possessive. She can't stand seeing another little girl call me 'Daddy.'"

The anger that had been building up inside me finally exploded. I let out a bitter laugh. "Benjamin, do you even remember who your real daughter is? Do you know what happened to Esther at kindergarten today?"

Benjamin frowned slightly and cut me off. "Jocelyn Stevens, I don't need you to remind me. I'm sorry about what happened at kindergarten today. Jessica also had a parent-teacher meeting today. Cynthia and her ex-husband are divorced. She's a single mom and can't handle everything. Besides, before I met you, I promised Cynthia that I would never let her suffer. I've already married you, just as you wished. So, you have no right to stop me from caring for them. This is my debt to them."

After speaking, Benjamin threw his coat aside and went straight to the bathroom. The sound of running water drowned out my helpless sobs. If I had known marriage with him would turn out like this, I would have rather died than give in that night.

I smiled bitterly at the divorce agreement I had just drafted. I would have divorced him long ago if it weren't for Esther, but I decided to give marriage one more shot after considering her suffering later. I didn't want her to grow up without a father.

Early in the morning, Esther woke up and learned that her father had returned. She jumped excitedly on her bed. "I want to show Daddy the painting I just finished!"

Children are forgetful. Esther had already forgiven Benjamin for what happened at kindergarten yesterday. She happily ran downstairs, but as soon as she reached the living room, she saw Cynthia and Jessica. Benjamin was gently peeling an orange for Jessica. "Daddy, who are they?" she asked.

Benjamin scowled when he saw that Esther was still at home. "Why are you still here? Where's your mom?"

Esther was startled but still carefully held up the picture she had spent a whole week drawing. "This is a family portrait I made for you, Daddy. I wanted to give it to you when you came home."

Just as she was about to hand it over, a small hand snatched it away. "What a stupid drawing!"

Jessica stomped her foot and tore the picture in half. She stood with her hands on her hips, glaring arrogantly before shoving my daughter hard. "He's my daddy! Esther, all the kids at school say you're a bastard child. Who permitted you to call my daddy yours?"

I was instantly alarmed when I saw Esther collapse on the ground, crying. I helped her up and glared coldly at Jessica. "Apologize."

Benjamin frowned tightly, his tone filled with displeasure. "Jocelyn, why are you being so harsh on a child?"

He scooped Jessica into his arms without hesitation. "I already told you last night. Jessica doesn't like hearing others call me 'Daddy.' She's just upset, not intentionally trying to push Esther."

I stood firm, refusing to back down. "Not intentional? You saw it yourself, didn't you? Benjamin, she just called Esther a bastard with her own mouth. Tell me, is Esther really a bastard?"

Despite hesitating, Benjamin softly persuaded Jessica without offering an apology. Meanwhile, Cynthia's eyes flickered before she smiled graciously and apologized. "Miss Stevens, I'm really sorry. Jessica grew up abroad and is a bit straightforward. She just speaks her mind, so please don't take it to heart."

The tiny girl in his arms looked even more arrogant after she said that. "I didn't say anything wrong! All the kids at school say it. Esther is a bastard! She stole my daddy!"

I clenched my fists and turned my icy gaze to Benjamin. He once said he had mysophobia, so Esther and I tolerated him and did our best to accommodate his ways. He used "working overtime" as an excuse to get entangled with another woman and I chose to turn a blind eye.

Still, I couldn't stand by while someone called my daughter a bastard. "Ben, I'll ask you one more time. Is Esther a bastard?"

A trace of irritation flashed across Benjamin's face, but he only sneered coldly. "You know very well how she became my daughter, don't you? Enough. Today is Jessica's day to visit. Let's not ruin the mood."

Cynthia and her daughter stood to the side, gloating. Benjamin held Jessica in his arms, his voice full of affection. "Daddy will buy you a new toy, okay? And a pretty Elsa dress, too."

"Okay!" Jessica beamed as Benjamin doted on her.

I felt my heart shiver as I watched his leaving figure. Finally, after weighing my words over and over, I said the sentence I had never dared to before. "Benjamin, let's get a divorce."

His footsteps halted. He turned back with a cold stare. "Jocelyn, do you think this is funny?"

"If you think this will threaten me, then fine. As you wish." After that, he walked away without looking back.

A flicker of satisfaction flashed in Cynthia's eyes, but she quickly masked it, stepping forward with an apologetic smile. "I'm really sorry. Benjamin and I are just friends. He's just a deeply affectionate person. He felt bad that I got divorced so early, leaving Jessica without a father, so he paid extra attention to us. Please don't take it the wrong way and don't let this upset you."

She even added my contact before she left, saying that she wanted to make up for Esther's damaged painting.

"Cynthia, come on." While still holding Jessica, Benjamin stood nearby and softly called to her.

"Coming!" Cynthia happily ran after him.

They hadn't gone far when I heard their conversation clearly. "Benjamin, seriously? Miss Stevens was just saying it out of anger. How could you just agree to a divorce so easily?"

Benjamin scoffed. "She used every trick in the book to get this marriage. Do you really think she'd be willing to let it go? She was just a little harsh on Jessica just now. This is just a small punishment for her. Give it some time and she'll be begging me to come back."

I couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. "Benjamin, people change. Jocelyn Stevens, who once threw herself into love without hesitation, is gone. Now, for the sake of my daughter, I will choose to walk away from you completely."

Esther hid in her room, crying uncontrollably. "Mom, my classmates all say that Dad is Jessica's dad. But I never tried to take him away from her … "

Later that night, she fell asleep clutching a photo of Benjamin while I lay wide awake. I picked up my phone and saw that Cynthia had just updated her social media.

"Jessica finally has the fatherly love she was missing. No one can take away what's meant to be ours!" Attached was a photo of the three of them embracing and smiling at the camera, looking for all the world like a happy family.

I tapped the like button absentmindedly. Just then, a message popped up on my screen. It was a video from Cynthia. I clicked on it and there was Benjamin's handsome face. The footage was from right after he had returned to the country.

Someone asked him, "Ben, what do you think is the happiest moment in life?"

He responded nonchalantly, "Probably last week overseas. When I coaxed Jessica to sleep, then pulled Cynthia into the bathroom."

His voice carried a hint of tenderness mixed with the teasing laughter of those around him.

I felt my whole body turn ice-cold. I suddenly remembered another post Cynthia had shared before. "Ever since we had a child, we haven't had any alone time. We can only sneak around and do this and that after Jessica falls asleep."

I sat there, lost in thought, when another message from Cynthia arrived. "Oops, my bad! I accidentally sent that to you. By the time I realized, I couldn't unsend it. But honestly, you should know where Benjamin's heart truly lies, right?"

"Back then, you forced him into marriage using dirty tricks and became Benjamin's wife. During these three years abroad, he's been with me and Jessica. Jessica isn't even his biological child, yet Ben treats her better than any real father would. Even though we broke up, he still can't let go of me. It won't be long before we're back together again. Miss Stevens, I know your family is rich and you don't lack a man in your life. I'd advise you not to make things hard for yourself. Just back out on your own."

After saying that, she sent another picture. Jessica was smiling brightly in the middle while she and Benjamin were both kissing the girl's cheeks. They looked like a picture-perfect family.

I smiled and replied, "Sure."

Then I called my dad. "Dad, I've made up my mind. I'm taking Esther to settle down abroad. We'll leave in a few days."

His voice was filled with surprise and excitement. "Really? But I heard that Benjamin just came back. Your family is finally reunited. Does he agree with this?"

I let out a bitter laugh. "He'd love nothing more."

That night, for the first time, I didn't stay up waiting for my husband to come home. It was already two in the morning when Benjamin returned.

As soon as he entered the door, he frowned at the pitch-black room. Usually, I would leave a light on for him, but this time was an exception. Not only this time but from then on, I wouldn't bother him anymore. For three whole days, I didn't say a single word to Benjamin.

After he sensed that something was off, he came home one night with a gift box in hand. "Jocelyn, this is for you."

There was a trace of guilt in his expression. "The other day, Jessica was being insensitive. I want to apologize on her behalf to both you and Esther."

As he spoke, he opened the box. Inside lay an outdated necklace. He took it out and reached over. "Let me help you put it on."

I subtly avoided his hand. "No need."

I had seen that necklace on Cynthia's social media. It was the same one she had once complained about for being outdated and old-fashioned, even joking that she wouldn't even bother to pick it up if it were thrown away.

I walked past Benjamin with an expressionless face, carrying Esther, who was dressed and ready to go. Then I drove out the door.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him freeze for a moment, his gaze lingering on me for a long time.