Post-surgery, I sat in the hospital corridor, chain-smoking, tears and, laughter mixing in a breakdown.

I ground out the last cig, my gaze hardening, clarity returning.

Those two, I poured my heart out to them, and this is their thanks? Alright, it's payback time, and I'm gonna take back every dime!

Starting with Lily.

Lily's nothing but a cunning opportunist, always playing her angles. If I push for divorce, she'll walk away with half my stash. Not happening.

This needs a strategic approach.

Back in the hospital room, there she was, doting on our son.

"I've got things to handle at work. Keep an eye on him," I told her and turned to leave.

Lily scoffed, “Can't you spare a moment? Your own son's laid up, and you're bailing?” She was playing the perfect mom, hinting that I was the deadbeat dad.

I snorted inside and kept walking without a backward glance.

Work was booming. Stepping into my office, my deputy, Jane Herty, hurried in, documents in hand, "Mr. Johnson, the shipment's been dispatched. It should dock tomorrow."

Jane flashed a grin, "It's the biggest deal since we started; our profits are going to soar."

I managed a weary smile. My dream of a perfect family was crumbling — what's the point in more cash?

After sending off Jane, I shut myself in and dialed Zack.

Zack Holt, my war buddy and biggest ally overseas, trusted more than anyone but my folks.

He'd built a successful career abroad after his retirement and knew all the right people. The deal Jane mentioned? That was his.

"Zack, do me a solid. Don't ask questions, just do what I say…"

Thirty minutes later, I hung up, looking out the window, my resolve steeled.

Lily, playing games with me? Fine, let the games begin.

That night, I returned to the hospital. It's hard not to feel for the kid; years of bonding do that.

But Lily, seeking comfort, had hired a nurse for him and took off.

Her maternal instincts? Disappointing, to say the least.

After a while with the kid, drained emotionally and physically, I headed home.

Lily had just showered; her damp hair and delicate features under the dim lights, wrapped in a silky nightgown, could've been breathtaking.

Before, I'd have been all over her. But now, after knowing she was with another guy just yesterday, I felt only revulsion.

"I'm wiped. Skipping the shower, crashing in the study," I said as I walked away.

Lily seemed relieved but followed, feigning concern, “I know you put in all your efforts for this family but don't overdo it. You need to relax. Leave some stuff to your team."

"You're the rock of this family, and if you fall apart, who do we lean on?"

I offered a half-hearted smile, "I get it. Rest up. Night." Inside, I was ice cold. She had me fooled with her soft touches for years.

But now, her true colors were crystal clear.

The next day, with Lily off at the hospital, I snuck a bug into a hidden corner of our bedroom before heading to the office.

As soon as I walked in, Jane was there, all worked up. "Mr. Johnson, we've got a serious problem."

I was prepared. "Calm down, let's hear it."

"Our latest shipment's been held up overseas—they're claiming it doesn't meet regulations. I checked everything myself, and there shouldn't be any issues. Mr. Johnson, what do we do now? We've been prepping this for three months, and there's no quick fix. If we don't sort this out, we're looking at triple the penalties." She was almost in tears.

I rubbed my forehead. "Exactly how much are we talking about in penalties?"

"Nearly twenty million. We've got less than five million in reserves…" Jane's voice trembled.

Holy shit!

I took a deep breath and made a call. "Liquidate our inventory, settle the debts, then file for bankruptcy."

"What?"

"You heard me. Sell everything, pay off the debts, and let's go bankrupt. Need me to repeat that?"

With the company teetering, chaos was brewing outside.

As expected, Lily had spies in the company. She rushed over as soon as she got wind of the trouble.

"Ryan, what's this I hear about us going under?" She barged into my office, ditching her usual warmth for confusion and accusation. "Wasn't the company on track? How are we bankrupt all of a sudden?"

I wasn't in the mood to explain. I nodded at Jane, who quickly briefed her on the grim situation.

After getting the lowdown, Lily exploded, "How can this be? I just bragged about a new bag I ordered last night, what will my friends think?"

"This is a nightmare…"

"Ryan, how could you let this happen?"

So the company is sinking, and she's worried about her bag? Had I been blind to who she really was?

Disgusted by her facade slipping, I dismissed her, "Enough. I've poured my heart into this company. Do you think I wanted this? Just go home, let me gather my thoughts."

Lily shot me a complex look and left.

Word of the bankruptcy spread fast in the industry. Calls came flooding in—some sympathetic, others demanding their dues… The true colors of people were showing.

Jane was swamped, but I sat there in an eerie calm.

Chaos on the surface, but I was in control.

That night, using the turmoil as cover, I didn't go home. As expected, Lily couldn't resist it but brought Alex home.

I parked below, connected my phone to the bug, and their voices filled the car.

"I'm so stressed. I thought if we got caught, I'd divorce him and cash in, but now he's bankrupted the company. I haven't even finished paying off that bag."

"Look, babe, that just proves you chose the right guy. Let's divorce him, leave him the kid, and start fresh."

"I can't just hand over my son!"

"Why not?"

"I went through labor for him, I can't just let go…"

"Fine, have it your way."

Anger bubbled inside me, but her words made me pause. So, the kid isn't Alex's either?

I chuckled to myself.

This is getting interesting.

Oh, Lily, you're playing a dangerous game.

Just then, sounds of intimacy broke through, igniting my rage. I stormed up the stairs, ready to burst.

I slammed my foot against the bedroom door, letting my fury out, "Lily, you think I'm clueless? Bringing your lover into our home? Get out here now!"

The door held firm. I cursed the day I chose such a sturdy one.

Panic sounded from within. They hadn't expected my sudden return.

I kicked again, harder this time.

Bang!

The door flew open. Lily was by the bed, hair wild, cheeks flushed, and when she saw my livid face, she froze in fear.

My eyes quickly scanned the room. The bed was a mess, the window wide open, no sign of Alex.

Clever move, jumping out the window. Our place is a two-story, and he landed in the bushes. Not enough to hurt him.

I regretted not getting an apartment higher up.

Lily finally found her voice, "Ryan, what are you doing…" Her newfound confidence evaporated with Alex gone.

SMACK!

I cut her off with a slap. "Cheating right under my roof? You think you're justified?"

Lily clutched her face, her temper flaring. "You hit me? You're taking your frustration out on me? Are you even a man? I've been here taking care of our son, and you accuse me of cheating? Show me proof!"

"No proof and this isn't over," she challenged, fumbling with her phone.

Proof?

I scoffed, pulled out my phone, and played their earlier conversation.

Lily trembled, losing her earlier fire, and clung to me. "Babe, I'm so sorry…"

I pushed her away, disgusted. "When did you and Alex start?"

"It wasn't Alex!"

Lily denied desperately, "It was some guy from a bar. I swear, babe, it was just a mistake."

Is she still covering for Alex? Does she think I'm deaf, or didn't I see them clear as day on that tape?

I was beyond furious, and my hand flew again.

Lily shrieked, tumbling to the ground. Just then, the doorbell rang, and she scrambled for it like it was her lifeline.

Outside stood her parents, stern and serious.

"Ryan, you've crossed a line hitting my daughter!"

"What kind of man hits a woman?"

Hit her? I was so angry I could've done much worse.

Stone-faced, I played the recording again for her parents.

Their righteous indignation deflated as they listened.

Finally, her dad softened, "Ryan, no matter what, you shouldn't hit a woman. It's tough enough getting along, isn't it?"

"Exactly," her mom agreed quickly, trying to smooth things over. "I know my daughter, she must've been upset to do something foolish. Maybe if you weren't so busy at work, this wouldn't have happened."

The audacity of this family, blaming me while I'm busting my ass?

Have I ever really neglected her?

I couldn't help but smirk.

Seeing me like this, Lily raised her voice, "Don't be ungrateful, Ryan. My parents are trying to be fair. What more do you want?"

She turned to her parents, a sharp tone in her voice, "Mom, Dad, don't bother being polite. He's bankrupt now, just a broke nobody."

Bankrupt?

Her parents' faces shifted instantly, their concerns vanishing just as quickly.