That day, I worked late as usual. It was pouring, and I couldn't bring myself to spend the money on a cab, so I walked home in the rain and came down with a fever.

I couldn't bring myself to go to the hospital, either. Dominic sent me a hundred dollars and told me to see a doctor.

I bought the cheapest fever reducers I could find.

With what was left, I put together something that almost resembled a candlelit dinner.

I waited until the food went stone cold before Dominic finally called. His voice was heavy with guilt.

"I'm sorry, babe. The company sprung a last-minute business trip on me. I need the money for our son's treatment, so I had to say yes."

That night, the hospital issued another critical condition notice for our son.

I called Dominic ninety-nine times. Sent ninety-nine messages. Every single one vanished into silence.

The next morning, he called back, dark circles carved deep under his eyes. He said he'd been up all night and had only just seen my messages.

I didn't doubt him for a second.

But the truth was, he had flown to Harbor City to spend a fortune celebrating his mistress's birthday.

I stared at the photos on Eve's phone, unable to look away.

So that night, he'd booked out the most exclusive luxury shopping strip in Harbor City and swept through every store for her.

On the hilltop, he'd set off fireworks that lit up the entire city.

Then they'd gone back to a seven-star hotel and spent the rest of the night together.

The dark circles under his eyes hadn't come from working overtime. They'd come from a night of pleasure.

He was still wrapped in her arms.

And our son was gone.

When Dominic got the news, he rushed back immediately. He collapsed in front of our son's portrait and wept like a broken man.

"If Daddy hadn't been on that business trip, he would've been there. He would've seen you one last time! Daddy's worthless. Daddy failed you!"

I even comforted him.

"It's okay. You did it for our son, for this family. He wouldn't blame you."

But the truth was, it wasn't that he couldn't make it back. He chose not to.

"You know, he actually wanted to come home that night."

I looked up. "Then why didn't he? Just to stay with you?"

"Ha." Eve laughed softly and leaned in close, her voice dropping to a whisper by my ear.