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.

"You seem different today. Where are you headed? Let me drive you." Benjamin sounded unusually attentive.

I caught a glimpse of myself in the rearview mirror, my tailored casual suit a stark contrast to the demure dresses I used to wear around him. In the three years he was gone, I started my own company, handled business negotiations and even learned to fix my own plumbing. I never needed him to survive.

As for driving … "Oh, don't bother me. I'm probably better at it than you now."

Besides, I had a more important reason for going out today. I was taking Esther to cancel our household registration.

Three hours later, we walked out of the government office, only to find Benjamin's car still parked at the entrance. He stood outside, his brows furrowed as he stared at me. "Jocelyn, what are you doing here with our daughter?"

He had followed us, watched me carry Esther inside and then waited three whole hours. For some reason, an uneasy feeling clawed at his chest.

I smiled. "Nothing much. Our documents expired, so we came to renew them. Aren't you busy today? I heard Cynthia is job-hunting. She probably needs you."

Benjamin's eyes darkened, scrutinizing me. After a long silence, he let out a cold laugh. "Jocelyn, you're something else. This is the first time I've seen a wife pushing her own husband away. Since you insist, I'll do as you wish."

He slammed the car door shut and his car sped off, leaving me standing there in stunned silence. I couldn't understand it. I was giving him exactly what he wanted: freedom to be with Cynthia. So, why was he angry?

It wasn't until his assistant called me that I finally found out. "Madam, Mr. Jameson cleared his entire schedule today just to spend time with you and Esther. Why did you upset him like that? Now look what's happened. He's drinking himself into oblivion and has gone to see Cynthia and her daughter ... "

His assistant had always believed we were a perfect match and tried to bring us back together. Now, seeing the way things were, I could only manage a wry smile. "Thanks for telling me, but let him be."

After all, I had my own plans. In three days, Esther and I would be leaving this place for good. However, fate seemed to have other ideas. On the very day I finalized Esther's transfer to a new school, Jessica pushed her into the pool, triggering a sudden and severe medical emergency.

Panic seized me as I rushed Esther to the hospital, desperate for help. Alas, I was met with devastating news when I arrived. Benjamin had used his influence to divert all of the city's medical resources to treat Jessica's allergic reaction.

Esther lay in the hospital bed, her small face pale and lifeless. I frantically dialed Benjamin's number, begging him to save our daughter. On the other end of the line, I heard Cynthia's sobs.

Benjamin sounded exhausted, but then he let out a cold laugh. "Jocelyn, what act are you putting on this time? Esther is perfectly fine. How could anything have happened to her? That day, I set aside everything for you two, but you pushed me away. Now that Jessica's in critical condition, you're trying to play some jealous game again?"

A metallic taste filled my throat. Just as I was about to explain, the call ended. A busy signal droned in my ears.

A crushing sense of despair swallowed me whole. I expected to see tears and panic when I looked at Esther, but instead, she gave me a serene, wise-for-her-age expression. She mustered a tiny, courageous smile despite her poor breathing and oxygen mask attachment. "Mommy. Daddy really doesn't want me anymore, does he?"

Her trembling hand reached out and she gently wiped away the tears streaming down my face. "Don't cry, Mommy. If Daddy doesn't want me, then I don't want him either."

In the end, I had to call my father, begging him to use his connections to find a doctor who would save my daughter's life. He managed to pull some strings, but a top specialist from a neighboring city was rushed in.

During the days that followed, Benjamin never once appeared at the hospital. Yet, on the news, he was being praised for mobilizing all of the city's medical resources to "save a life."

My heart was as cold as ice as I gazed at his concerned face on the screen. "Ben, since you love them so much, my daughter and I will help you."

On the day Esther was finally discharged from the hospital, I finalized the cancellation of our household registration. Then I deleted Benjamin's contact information from my phone, snapped the SIM card in half and completely left the city with Esther.