New Year's Day—both Ethan Mason's birthday and mine.

Nora Simmons gave Ethan a high-end Patek Philippe, worth over six million.

"Thank you, Ms. Simmons," Ethan gushed. "I really love this birthday gift."

Nora's voice turned gentle. "Don't overwork yourself. Take care of your health. At the end of the month, I'm promoting you to vice president."

Then she turned to me, her expression going flat, and tossed a cheap gift box my way.

Inside was a pregnancy test.

"I'm pregnant," she said coldly. "You're going to be a dad. This birthday gift should make you very satisfied, right?"

"At the end of the month, you'll resign and hand the VP position to Ethan. From now on, you stay home and learn to be a full-time stay-at-home dad."

I let out a soft sigh.

Nora had probably been too busy to remember. Half a year ago, I'd been diagnosed with azoospermia. There was no way I could have gotten her pregnant.

——

I stared at that pregnancy test, grinding my teeth to dust.

Ethan kneaded Nora's shoulders, shooting me a provocative smirk. That look said it all: I'm the one who put this green hat on you, the Simmons family's live-in son-in-law. Even if you can't stand it, you'll swallow it anyway.

I took a deep breath, forcing down the urge to cut him into a thousand pieces.

"Is there something wrong with the test?" I asked Nora. "Are you really pregnant?"

"Can something like this be fake?" she said impatiently. "I'll go to the hospital later to confirm. Ethan will come with me. You—finish whatever work you have and prepare to resign."

Ethan turned to me with a fake smile. "VP Gilbert, I have a friend who's a stay-at-home dad. Lots of experience. Want me to introduce you? You could learn some baby care tips in advance."

As he spoke, he deliberately toyed with the Patek Philippe on his wrist. That thick, mocking smile stabbed at my nerves.

I clenched my fists. "Right now I'm still responsible for two key projects," I said, fighting to keep my voice steady. "All the preliminary work is done. If you pull me off now, the clients might have objections—"

Before I could finish, Nora slammed her palm on the desk. "Alex Gilbert, what's that supposed to mean? Are you reminding me the company can't function without you?"

Looking at her fury-twisted face, I sighed inwardly.

All these years, I'd worked like a dog at Simmons Corp—never complained, never slacked—all to protect Nora. After her parents died in that car accident, she'd trembled in my arms and sobbed that I was the only person she could rely on. From that moment, I'd put my life on the line for her.

Now Simmons Corp wasn't just surviving—it was thriving, and more than half of that was my doing. These two projects I was handling? They were critical, the key to the company's entire future transformation. I'd spent six months winning over the clients, breaking through every obstacle. Just as I was about to reap the rewards, Nora suddenly wanted Ethan to take over.

This was clearly swooping in to steal the fruit.

Ethan had joined the company six months ago. He'd been Nora's junior in college, so he became her assistant the moment he walked through the door. She treated him far too well—bringing him to banquets and events, claiming it was to broaden his horizons and connections so he could help the company make more money.

Their behavior had already crossed the line between boss and assistant.

Anyone watching would've assumed Ethan was Nora's husband.

I'd confronted her about him before. Every time, I was the one who ended up apologizing.

The Nora standing before me now was nothing like the woman I'd married.

I took a deep breath. "Those two projects I'm leading are critical to the company's transformation. The clients trust me specifically—"

"You're always going on about your own abilities," Ethan cut in, voice dripping with mockery. "Don't forget—without the company backing you, what would those abilities even be worth? Ride the right wave and even a pig can fly. Wouldn't you agree?"

Before I could respond, Nora waved her hand impatiently. "Enough. Stop acting like the company will collapse without you."

"Ethan's just as capable as you are. He just hasn't had the chance to prove it yet."

"Hand over your projects to him. The rest isn't your concern."

"And stop arguing. I run this company. When I make a decision, you follow it."

I looked at her impatient expression. At Ethan's smug grin.

I nodded.

"No need to wait until the end of the month. I'll submit my resignation now."

I paused.

"And while I'm at it, I'll draft a divorce agreement. I hope you'll sign it."

Nora froze.

Ethan's eyes flickered with barely concealed delight before he schooled his features into wounded concern. "What are you doing? I know you've never liked me. If you don't want me taking over as VP, just say so. Why drag divorce into this to threaten her?"

Nora's expression darkened. She clearly bought every word.

"Getting bolder, aren't you?" she spat. "Playing games right to my face?"

"Using divorce to control me? You think this pathetic little trick is going to work?"

"You're underestimating me, Alex."

"Go ahead. Get your divorce papers. Let's see if I dare to sign them."

She was worked up now—voice rising, eyes blazing.

She was absolutely certain I'd never leave. That I'd never give up my position in the Simmons family. That certainty made her fearless.

I didn't hesitate.

I walked out, and within the hour, I had both documents ready—the resignation letter and the divorce agreement.

When Ethan saw the clause stating I'd leave with nothing, his excitement was almost impossible to hide.

Still, he kept up the act.

"Stop this," he said, voice soft with feigned concern. "She's pregnant. How can you threaten her like this? What if the stress hurts the baby?"

He shook his head slowly.

"Besides... you love her so much. Could you really go through with it?"

"If you don't want me in your position, fine—I'll stay her assistant. I'll even resign if seeing me bothers you that much."

"Just... please don't let your marriage fall apart because of me. I couldn't live with myself."

His voice cracked on the last words. His eyes glistened, as if tears might spill at any moment.

Ethan Mason's little performance made my skin crawl.

But Nora ate it up.

She shot me a vicious glare and scrawled her signature across the divorce agreement.

"I've approved your resignation, and I've signed this. You can leave now."

"Alex, the moment you walk away from me, everything you have goes back to zero."

"You'll regret it. I'll be waiting for the day you come crawling back."

I looked at her for a long moment. Said nothing. Turned and walked out.

I already regretted it.

Regretted meeting her. Getting to know her. Walking down that aisle with her.

The moment I stepped through the company's front doors, I exhaled long and slow.

My mood was still heavy, but my whole body felt like I'd just shed a suit of armor.

Years ago, Nora had treated me as her only pillar. I'd devoted myself completely to protecting her, to pushing her forward. To make Simmons Corp thrive, I'd poured in every ounce of energy I had.

And the whole time, watching her and Ethan circle each other—it made me furious. Helpless. I kept dragging it out, never able to decide.

Now that I'd finally cut through the mess, it was time to rest.

In the parking garage, I pulled out my keys and was about to drive off when Linda Finch from Finance jogged over.

She gave me an awkward look. "Mr. Gilbert, Ms. Simmons just called down. She said since you've resigned, the car is company property, so…"

She trailed off. I got it.

I smiled bitterly, tossed her the keys, and walked away.

When I cabbed back to the villa complex, the guard at the gate stopped me.

Manager Finch was there too, wearing an apologetic smile. "Mr. Gilbert, Miss Simmons just called. Your access card and facial recognition have been revoked. You can't enter the complex anymore."

"Did something happen between you two?"

"Maybe you could call her and sort it out?"

"We're caught in the middle here—it's pretty awkward for us."

What could I even say?

How much money I'd made for Simmons Corp over the years—others might not know, but Nora knew exactly.

And I'd never seen a dime of real compensation.

In her words: what's mine is yours. We're husband and wife, one body. No need to keep score.

So nothing was in my name. The luxury cars, the house—all under Nora's name.

Even my bank account had never held more than ten thousand dollars.

Standing there at the gate, I smiled at myself.

Laughing at how stupid I used to be.

That night, Nora brought Ethan home.

On the drive, she told him, "I know Alex. He can't survive without me."

"He's probably waiting at the gate right now."

"When we get there, you mock him first. I won't even acknowledge him. Let him stand out there all night."

"Tomorrow, he'll kneel and apologize…"

A flicker of reluctance crossed Ethan's face. He said smoothly, "Mr. Gilbert's pretty stubborn. What if he won't apologize?"

"You already signed the divorce papers and approved his resignation. What if he—"

Nora cut him off. "There is no 'what if.' Alex will apologize to me."