"I'm throwing a dinner tonight to celebrate. You should come."

He smiled.

"I'm busy."

I turned him down without flinching, gathered my things, and headed for the door. Behind me, Elwin's voice drifted over.

"Ten years by her side, and it still doesn't compare to a single glance from me."

I didn't answer.

That afternoon, Elwin posted in the executive group chat: Celebrating my promotion today! Dinner's on me, everyone's invited.

Melissa didn't object. She was the first to respond. Then she sent me a private message.

Don't overthink it, babe.

I didn't reply.

That evening, Melissa and Elwin were out enjoying their celebration dinner.

I was at home packing my bags.

"Daddy."

Freddie ran over and grabbed my hand. "Daddy, are you leaving? Can you wait a few days?"

"Tomorrow's my birthday. Mommy said she's going to give me a big surprise. I'm going to wish for you and Mommy to stay together forever! And for Mommy not to marry Uncle Elwin!"

"She'll say yes, I know she will!"

His little face was filled with uncertainty, his words tumbling out in a mess.

"Okay."

I nodded gently.

Melissa didn't come home that night.

Freddie and I didn't sleep.

"Mommy's definitely getting my surprise ready!"

Freddie stood by the window, his face lit by the first pale glow of morning.

But one hour passed. Then two. The sun climbed, crossed the sky, and sank again. Melissa still hadn't come home.

I couldn't help myself. I called her. "Today is your son's birthday. Where's the surprise you promised him?"

"Oh, that... check the nightstand drawer. There are plane tickets to Northern Europe. Take Freddie on a trip!"

Melissa laughed. "I'm swamped today. Gotta go."

The line went dead.

I turned and pulled the tickets from the nightstand drawer.

So that was it. Freddie had become just another obstacle standing between Melissa and the life she wanted.

Almost at the same time, that "best friend" account of hers posted a new Instagram story.

Engaged! When you love someone, you give them everything they want.

The photo was a share transfer agreement.

My fists clenched.

Ten years.

Ten years I'd worked myself to the bone at Summers Group, doing the work of ten departments by myself. From corporate policies to long-term strategy, from sourcing partners to scouting factory locations, every last detail had been hammered out by me.

And for what? A regular manager's salary.

Now all of it, every ounce of what I'd built, was being handed on a silver platter to Elwin Fox. A man who hadn't contributed a single thing.

"Daddy."

"Mommy's not coming, is she?"

My son's crying reached me from behind.

I turned around. Freddie was clutching his phone, trembling. On the screen, Minnie Fox had posted an Instagram story of her own.

Thank you, Mommy, for the handmade cake!

For a child, there was no crueler blow.

"Daddy."

"I don't want to stay here anymore. Please take me with you."

Freddie wiped his tears with the back of his hand.

"Okay."

I nodded, blinking hard against the sting in my own eyes. I finished packing, set the divorce papers on the table, and took Freddie's hand. We walked out the front door together.

We boarded a flight to Northern Europe.

...

Melissa and Elwin held their wedding, followed by a honeymoon that lasted several days. She didn't bother going home afterward. She went straight to the office for the weekly meeting.

Her gaze swept across the room, and she frowned. "Where's my husband? Why isn't he here?"

Everyone shook their heads.

"He probably lost track of time on his little vacation," she muttered, rising from her chair and stepping out of the conference room. She dialed my number.

"Hey, babe!"

"You never miss a day of work. How come you're not at the meeting? Haven't made it back from Northern Europe yet?"