Clara Sterling, the richest woman in the city, successfully got a divorce and the custody over her daughter. I married her right away.

Five years into our marriage, I've already quit my job and focused on becoming a great father and husband at home.

Everything changes when Clara's ex-husband, William Sawyer, returns to the country abruptly.

That night, my stepdaughter, Sarah Sterling, moves my things from Clara's room to a guest room.

"You're my stepdad, so you can't sleep with my mommy. I can't make Daddy sad. You should leave our home!"

The maids make fun of me.

Meanwhile, Clara raises an eyebrow at me. "It's completely normal for Sarah to take her biological father's side. Don't take her words to heart. You're my husband now, anyway."

I just hum in response as I pack up my luggage silently.

Clara tries to climb into my bed late at night, only for me to turn her away.

"Our marriage contract will come to an end in two days. Once the time comes, let's get a divorce."

Clara Sterling didn't seem bothered at all. She pinched my cheek lightly. "Are you upset over Sarah, or is this really about William? He only came back to see the child. He poses no threat to you, and I am still satisfied with you. Why are you talking about divorce?"

I lowered my eyes. "Because I am tired."

Clara laughed softly in surprise and raised my chin. "Tired? You married me for money, didn't you? Or are you planning to leave like William, thinking it will make me care more?"

William Sawyer was the ex-husband Clara could never forget.

I pushed her hand away. "I wouldn't do that."

Clara scoffed. "You would be wise not to. William was always proud. I was drowning in debt back then and held him back, so I can't blame him for leaving, but you aren't him.

"If you leave, I won't stop you. I've paid you well over the years, and I can keep doing that. Now that we have come this far, are you still insisting on a divorce?"

The mockery and disdain in her voice hit me like a knife.

I smiled bitterly, and I felt my eyes grow dim. In the five years I had been married to Clara, she had always measured me against William.

To her and her daughter, Sarah, I would always fall short of William. I was neither as handsome nor as dazzling as him. Perhaps the way we met was flawed from the start. Deep down, I had always felt her respect was never mine to earn.

When Clara teetered on the edge of bankruptcy and despair five years ago, William had abandoned her and Sarah without hesitation.

At her lowest point, she came to me with a sum of money and proposed a contractual marriage, so I could look after her child.

I agreed. For the past five years, I had given her everything.

In the end, it was my own greed that fooled me into thinking I could have a real family. Now, even the word "divorce" sounded like a cruel joke.

Since I didn't respond, Clara grew impatient. She pulled a thick stack of cash from the drawer and set it on the nightstand. "Sarah didn't humiliate you in front of everyone, and you aren't her real father.

"Is it really worth feeling so aggrieved? Is it really worth making a scene in the middle of the night? Here, take the money. Does this make you feel better?"

A stack of at least 100 thousand dollars in cash sat before me.

I loved money. Having grown up poor, I couldn't survive without it. In the past, a handout from her would make me smile through any insult. Now, all I wanted was to walk away.

I looked at Clara. "We will divorce in two days. Starting tonight, we will sleep in separate rooms."

Clara finally laughed in anger. She suddenly smashed the lamp on the nightstand and looked down at me coldly.

"Bruce Wagner, it seems I have been far too fond of you lately. How dare you push your luck like this? Get out and stand in the yard to let the cold wind clear your head. Think it through—if you really feel you've had your fill of the good life, then we can talk about divorce!"

Without hesitation, I slipped into my pajamas and left the room.

After five years of marriage, I knew Clara's temper well. She seemed gentle, but in reality, she was domineering. I had to be obedient like a pet if I wanted her to treat me kindly. After defying her repeatedly today, I was certain she would be furious.

When I saw the suitcase Sarah had thrown away, I understood that no amount of effort as a stepfather could ever make me truly belong.

I really should leave.

After booking a flight to Parville for tomorrow, I found a guest room and went to sleep.

I woke up at 6:00 am sharp.

Clara didn't like the maid's cooking. She only ate what I made. For five years, I had cooked for her and Sarah every single day. It had become a part of my routine.

Today, I ignored the habit, closed my eyes, and went back to sleep.

I didn't know how much time had passed before a sudden bang broke the silence. Clara shoved the door open and roared, "Bruce, why didn't you wake Sarah and me this morning? There are no suits, no skirts, not even breakfast!"

I stayed where I was, keeping my eyes shut."If I don't wake you, can't you just set an alarm yourself?"

Clara froze. For five years, I had taken care of everything in the mornings. Now that she had to rely on herself, irritation quickly set in.

"Isn't that your duty as a husband? William could manage it; why can't you?"

That ex-husband of hers was indeed an exemplary man.

I had never met him, but he often texted me, saying he would be back soon and that I should pack my things and leave.

I kept my eyes closed and said flatly, "Go ahead and get back together with your ex. I won't stop you."

Clara frowned. "Is that all you managed to come up with after thinking all night? Bruce, be realistic. You don't even have a degree or work experience. You've been a stay-at-home dad for years, isolated from society. If you leave me, what makes you think you'll survive out there?"

She continued, "I know you're upset. Sarah threw away your things and said she liked William. You're not heartbroken; you're just irritated that the marriage contract is about to expire and you want more money. Very well. I'll give you ten thousand more each month. Stop sulking."

Then, she issued her final order. "I have a meeting this morning. Get up and take Sarah to school."

With that, she turned and left.

I slowly opened my bloodshot eyes. In the end, I said nothing and swallowed the grief and bitterness rising in my chest.

In Clara's eyes, I had always been a man who could be bought. She believed money could bind me, and in that sense, she was sincere.

However, she didn't know I was going to divorce her, and I wasn't going to wait for her approval.

I got up and brushed my teeth. Just as I stepped outside, I saw Sarah at the door with her backpack.

She saw me and let out an annoyed huff. I ignored her and grabbed a piece of bread for myself.

"I don't want bread!" Sarah snapped. "I want mushroom soup!"

When she saw me bite into the bread, she froze, realizing it wasn't for her.

Her stomach let out a loud rumble, and her face turned red as she glared at me.

"Hey! Stop eating and take me to school!"

I sat down and ate. "You can go to school by yourself."

Sarah stared at me in disbelief. "Are you seriously making me go alone?"

I glanced at her. "You're seven. You're perfectly capable of going to school by yourself."

She stomped her foot in anger and shot me a resentful glare.

"You really are a terrible stepdad. No wonder my classmates said your true colors would show sooner or later. I don't need anything from you. Once Dad's back, he'll take me to school every day."

When she mentioned William, her eyes practically sparkled. "Dad is the best person in the world! His breakfasts are a million times better than yours. Once he's back, I'll make Mom kick you out of the house!"

For five years, I had handled everything for her. I took care of her clothes, her meals, her daily necessities, and I even stayed by her side when she was hospitalized. She never said a single word of thanks.

She had barely even met William. They had only spoken a few times on the phone, but a handful of his sweet words were enough for her to come up with a thousand reasons to think he was perfect.

When I saw the hope in Sarah's eyes, I stayed silent. She wasn't going to get what she wanted.

William had been too afraid of struggling to stick around. He abandoned his own daughter just to get divorced, and now, he was back with his own motives. How could he possibly care about her?

However, that wasn't my problem anymore.

Sarah opened the front door and called for the driver to take her to school. I finished my meal and started packing, wiping away five years of memories from the house.

Once everything was packed, a dull ache spread through my stomach. I gritted my teeth, grabbed my suitcase, and headed for the door.

Just then, Clara returned with Sarah and stood squarely in my way.

She lowered her gaze to my suitcase and asked coldly, "Where are you going?"

I instinctively stepped back and said sharply, "Can't you see? I'm leaving."

Her eyes swept across the empty living room behind me. Every vase, painting, and bottle I had bought over the years had been packed or thrown out.

Her face darkened.

"I said it this morning," she snapped. "William doesn't affect your place here. He's at the airport. Did I even mention divorce today? I also told you there's no need to try so hard to get my attention.

"Once the agreement expires, we can pay to extend it. Why are you making a fuss? You're going to buy back all the things you threw out today by tomorrow. I want my home just like it was the last few years."

I looked at her. "Clara, if you're still hung up on your ex, divorcing me is the only way for you to have a future with him."

If she couldn't let go of her ex, why was she angry that I was making way for them?

She yanked the suitcase from my hands. "If I need a future with him, I don't need your generosity."

Sarah pouted and mumbled, "Today I get to see Dad! I don't have to stay with the bad guy!"

Clara brought Sarah over and scolded me. "See? Sarah said you didn't give her breakfast this morning. She was so hungry she ate her classmate's sandwich, and now her lips are swollen and sore.

"Bruce, even if Sarah isn't your biological daughter, couldn't you at least try? Look at her now. How am I supposed to explain this to William?"

No wonder Clara had rushed back with Sarah. She was here to confront me.

I lowered my gaze to Sarah's lips, which were swollen like tiny sausages.

"She's having an allergic reaction," I said.

Clara's eyes widened. "An allergy? To what?"

Even now, she didn't know. Sarah had always had a sensitive stomach and reacted to many allergens. A little redness or swelling was nothing unusual.

When we first got married, the Sterling family was struggling financially, and Sarah often had digestive issues or allergic reactions from eating my food.