John, trying to smooth things over, spoke with a smile, “Hey, don’t get the wrong idea. If there was anything going on between us, trust me, you wouldn’t even be in the picture?”

His face was dripping with disdain, and he added, “I know that someone as excellent as Shelly must have many suitors. You might feel insecure because of that. But don’t read too much into it. Shelly and I are just friends, aren’t we, Shelly?”

Shelly blushed a bit at John’s words and nodded, “Of course, he’s just overthinking. He’s been at home all day, and it’s made him a bit paranoid!”

Jack also chimed in, “Yeah, yeah! Dad’s always at home looking silly. It’d be so embarrassing to take him out!”

Jack looked at John with admiration and said, “I wish John was my real dad!”

His words, along with those of his mother, left me stunned.

Over the years, I had indeed been out of work, but it wasn’t always like this.

I had legitimate businesses abroad. Disheartened by family conflicts, I decided to return home after resolving them, to seek peace.

It was then that I met Shelly Byrne, who was attempting to commit suicide.

She said she hated wealthy people, and since I was broke at the time, she was pleased. I saved her, and she fell for me. According to the fairy tale, this should have been a happy ending.

But her family didn’t approve. As an only child, they wanted a son-in-law to carry on the family name and preserve their business.

Shelly was crying and begging me, but I just shrugged it off and told her, “I only care about you. As long as we’re happy, everything else doesn’t matter.”

Besides, I really didn’t care about her family’s assets.

Later, I joined her family, and after she gave birth to our son, I stayed at home to take care of him.

I managed my businesses remotely, often joking with Shelly, “I’m just a typical househusband.”

She would tease me back, “And you’re the perfect kept man.”

Although her parents disapproved of me, we three were a happy family.

I enjoyed our life and didn’t mind these efforts or sacrifices, especially since I had been quietly managing the Byrne family’s business.

Over the years, whenever the Byrne family’s company faced a crisis, I handled it secretly.

Shelly enjoyed being a career woman while I supported her from behind the scenes, including taking care of our son’s daily needs.

I thought Shelly enjoyed this life like I did.

But today, I realized that all my sacrifices and efforts were in vain.

In the eyes of my wife and son, I was nothing but a useless failure.

I watched my wife and son, holding back my frustration. I didn’t want to argue in front of others.

“Shelly, come back home with Jack. We need to talk.”

This incident had crossed my line, but she was my wife, and I couldn’t embarrass her in front of others. But Shelly didn’t care about that.

“I’m busy with work, Sean. Can’t you stop making a scene?”

As she spoke, she pulled Jack away from John. “Son, go home with your dad.”

But instead of coming over, Jack clung tightly to John’s leg. “No, no, I don’t want to go home with him. I want to stay with John! I like him!”

Jack’s admiration for John was clear, but I had never seen him look at me like that. I used to think he was just aloof and had even been teased by my cousin: “Even the King of Alameda County can have his own kid turn against him!”

I thought it was just his personality. Now I realized it was because he simply looked down on me as his father!

I glanced at the child and then fixed my gaze on Shelly. “Are you sure you’re not coming back with me?”

Her face stiffened, and she frowned. “Can you stop making a fuss? I’m handling business matters here. Not everyone is fixated on love and romance all the time, and not everyone spends their whole day just dealing with household chores without a care for anything serious!”

Her words became increasingly harsh, and Jack joined in, “Just go already. We have a holiday to celebrate together. Don’t be a nuisance!”

Their words left me feeling cold inside. “If that’s what you want.”

I turned and walked away.

If they didn’t want this opportunity, then so be it.

On the way back, I got a call from my cousin. He started off with a dramatic whine, “Sean, bro, I miss you so much! I’m struggling here without you…

I was in a bad mood and interrupted him, “Speak properly.”

In an instant, my cousin switched to a normal tone. “I know you don’t want to deal with family issues, but for the sake of our family’s business and the much money in your account, could you at least lend a hand?”

I gave a non-committal response, and my cousin got excited. “Great! I’ll book a flight for tomorrow and pick you up myself!”

Before I could say anything else, he hung up.

When I got home, I started packing my things. But as I looked around the house, I hesitated.

This was a home I had set up myself. With Shelly busy with work, I had taken care of everything in this place.

There was a family photo of the three of us, with my wife’s beaming smile and my son’s endearing, goofy expression.

I had always thought of this place as my utopia.

But today, that utopia shattered.

The sound of the door opening broke my thoughts. I looked back and saw Shelly returning, holding a bouquet of flowers.

“I’m back,” she said, placing the flowers in front of me.

She smiled sweetly, clearly trying to de-escalate the situation. “I dropped Jack off at my parents’. It’s just us tonight. I was a bit harsh earlier. Can you forgive me?”

We had argued before, though not often, and each time I had been the one to smooth things over.

But today, my unusual attitude seemed to have made her a bit scared.

I glanced at her. “Have you been drinking?”

Then I went to get her some hangover medicine for her.

Shelly seemed surprised and asked, “Are you still angry?”