He Does School Runs, I Do a Clean Break

When I'm done putting my daughter, Alani Carter, to sleep, I suddenly come across a social media post.

"My husband, who's always been uncaring about the household matters, suddenly decides to be more engaging and helpful recently. What's the reason behind his change in behavior?"

The comments in that comment section cut to the chase immediately. "Oh, there's no doubt about the answer. Either he's having an affair behind your back, or he wants your money."

As soon as I leave a like on the answer, my husband, Michael Carter, who has never cared about Alani before, suddenly asks me, "What sort of homework does Alani have today?"

That's when I notice the parents' group chat on my phone, where Demi Miller's mother, Yvette Miller, has tagged Michael there abruptly.

"Mr. Carter, what's tonight's homework?"

He has responded to her immediately, "Give me a moment. I'll send you the list later."

I glance at the time. It's already 10:30 pm.

We've been married for so many years, and yet Michael has never responded to any of my WhatsApp messages on time before.

I secretly tap on Yvette's profile picture, only to find out that her social media feed is filled with coincidental meetings with Michael.

Apparently, she has met him coincidentally at the amusement park, at a bookstore, and even at a family restaurant the three of us have frequented.

When I pick Alani up from the kindergarten in the next evening, I happen to overhear Yvette telling another parent, "Alani's dad sure has a heart of gold! He even helps me take care of Demi!

"Whenever I ask him questions regarding Demi, he's able to answer me on the spot. Parents who care this much about children are a rarity these days!"

I continue the topic smilingly, "Isn't that right? Michael has never attended a single parent-child meeting related to his own daughter, and yet he's quite skilled in helping others raise their children."

After that, I find myself a secluded corner, where I dial my lawyer's phone number immediately.

"Have you prepared the divorce contract? I want him to leave this marriage without a single cent to his name!"

I hung up and had just turned the corner by the school gate when I spotted a familiar figure—Michael Carter, my husband, the father of my child.

He stood among the cluster of parents, a strawberry cake in his hand, craning his neck to look toward the entrance. I stopped in my tracks.

We had been married for a decade. Three years since our daughter, Alani Carter, started elementary school, and not once had he come.

Last month, when Alani came down with a fever and needed to be picked up early, I called Michael and told him to go. He said he was stuck in a meeting.

Six months ago, when I had sudden gastritis and needed surgery, I asked him to pick up Alani. He sent the nanny instead.

Now, suddenly, here he was. He actually found the time to come to school? What would I see next? Pigs in the sky?

Alani had just walked out when she ran to my side. She turned her head, her eyes lighting up with surprise. "Mom, look, it's Dad!"

She pulled free from my hand and ran toward Michael. He caught her in his arms, smiling like the perfect, doting father. "Hey, sweetheart! I'm here to pick you up! And look. I even brought your favorite strawberry cake."

Alani wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his cheek.

I walked over. When Michael saw me, his smile stiffened for a moment. "Oh, hey… I happened to be passing by in the area today. Thought I'd pick you two up."

"Passing by, huh?"

I glanced at the cake in his hand, then swept my eyes across the crowd of parents. Sure enough, I spotted Demi Miller's mother holding a cake in an identical box.

I said nothing. I watched as he set Alani down, then I took her hand. "Let's go. We're heading home."

To my surprise, for the next three days, Michael would show up at the school gate right on time. Every day, he brought something different—candy, pudding…

One day, he even brought a stuffed toy. Alani loved it so much she hugged it tight and refused to let go.

That night, just before bed, she suddenly asked me, "Mom, will Dad pick me up from school every day from now on?"

I paused. "Did he tell you that?"

"Mm-hm! He said he'll come every day! And also take me to the amusement park!"

I stroked her head. "That sounds nice. Now, get some sleep, Alani."

When I returned to my bedroom, I lay there tossing and turning, unable to drift off.

Michael's phone was still lit up. I turned slightly and glanced at him. The moment he noticed, he flipped the phone face down on the nightstand.

"What are you looking at?" I asked.

"Just scrolling TikTok," he said, his expression steady, nothing out of the ordinary.

However, the constant stream of message notifications from his phone didn't stop for a second. I laughed coldly to myself.