Chapter 7

My mother clung desperately to his arm, her voice trembling. "Xavier, I'm begging you... don't get divorced, okay? Even one day as husband and wife builds a hundred days of affection. Just take pity on Lena... And Ivy is only five! How can you bear to let her lose her father?"

Xavier's hand shook slightly, guilt flooding his eyes. But just then, his phone buzzed on the desk. A message from Lily: [Xavier, I just left the hospital. The test results are positive—I'm really pregnant! Xavier, you're amazing~ I'm going to be a mom! I'm so touched, I want to cry~]

Xavier hardened his heart. Clenching his jaw, he said, "Mom, I can't promise you that."

My mother's body stiffened. Slowly, she released his arm—then slapped him hard across the face. Smack! The sharp sound echoed in the office. Xavier's head snapped to the side. He didn't dodge. Didn't speak.

"Xavier, you'll get what's coming to you!" With that, she turned and stumbled out, her back hunched, seeming to age years in an instant.

After Ada's birthday party, Xavier and I hadn't seen each other. Finally, Ivy's birthday night arrived. I'd promised her long ago she could invite her kindergarten friends over, and that both Mommy and Daddy would be there. Ivy had been looking forward to it for weeks. I'd insisted Xavier attend. Before the party, I warned him: even if we had to fake it, we had to look like a loving couple. We couldn't let Ivy lose face in front of her friends and their parents, couldn't let them sense anything wrong. Once the party ended, we'd file for divorce immediately.

Xavier agreed.

The living room was filled with colorful balloons. "Happy Birthday" stickers decorated the walls. On the dining table sat a birthday cake with five lit candles. Ivy, wearing a pink princess dress and a sparkling tiara, beamed. "Daddy, Mommy, let's make a wish together!"

She stood before the cake, small hands clasped, eyes closed. Xavier and I knelt beside her, wearing gentle smiles—the picture of a loving couple.

"I wish..." Ivy thought seriously, her voice soft and sweet. "...Daddy wouldn't work so much and could spend more time with me and Mommy."

Xavier's smile froze for a second. My eyes stung. After Ivy made her wish, Xavier wrapped an arm around her and me. "Mommy and Daddy will blow out the candles with you, okay?"

"Yay!" Ivy's eyes curved into happy little crescents.

"One, two, three—" As the candle flames went out, the room erupted in applause and cheers. Children chattered excitedly, crowding around. Parents smiled, offering congratulations.

Ivy happily kissed us both on the cheek. "Mommy, Daddy, I love you mostest!"

Xavier's throat bobbed. He seemed about to say something but only ruffled Ivy's hair, his voice thick. "Daddy loves you too."

I looked down, hiding my reddening eyes, but kept a smile on my face. Just then, the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it!" a helpful parent said, heading to the door.

The door opened. Lily's voice rang out: "Ivy, I brought you a birthday present~"

I looked up, my heart plummeting. Lily stood in the doorway, a smile on her lips, wearing a vest. She walked in, holding a gift. Every step felt like walking on my nerves. I turned my head, glaring daggers at Xavier. He frowned, clearly also surprised by Lily's sudden appearance.