A Successful Career After Divorce

The room was quite spacious due to the family’s good financial condition. There was a small walk-in closet, and near the balcony was a bookshelf and a desk.

Brendon glanced around. Most of the books on the shelf were in foreign languages, and the desk held only some documents and a computer. The only item that showed signs of time was a star-shaped pendant hanging under the lamp, which jingled when moved.

“Daddy, come here!” Ayaan’s big eyes sparkled as he moved a stool to climb up and open the bookcase door. “This… Uncle told me about it. It’s Mommy’s old photo album.”

“Oh? Let me see.” Brendon raised an eyebrow, interested, and reached out to help Ayaan take it down. “Is this the one?”

“Yes, yes! Mommy doesn’t know. Uncle told me secretly!” Ayaan whispered mysteriously into Brendon’s ear, “You can’t tell Mommy.”

Brendon looked at the adorable miniature version of himself and couldn’t help but laugh. “Alright, this will be our secret.”

The cover of the album looked a bit old but was quite thick.

Brendon opened the first page and paused for a moment. It was a photo of a baby. Although the picture had faded over time, it was still clear that the child had delicate features.

The album was complete, with photos from Ranita’s infancy up to when she was fifteen years old. How did he know? Because the last photo was of Ranita’s fifteenth birthday.

In the earlier photos, Ranita was always smiling or looking cute and pretty. But in the fifteenth birthday photo, she stood quietly, her eyes showing a hint of confused sadness.

“Daddy, why are there no more photos after this?” Ayaan asked curiously.

“Daddy doesn’t know either.” After thinking for a moment, Brendon closed the album and put it back. He picked up Ayaan. “Have you asked Grandma about it?”

Ayaan shook his head. “No! Should I go ask her now?”

Brendon held Ayaan back from his eager movements. “Don’t ask now. Next time, we’ll ask your mommy directly!”

“Let’s go back to reading!”

Brendon closed the bookcase door and took Ayaan to play. Just as they sat down and turned a few pages of a book, Ayaan climbed onto Brendon’s lap and suddenly said, “Daddy, Grandma found an Uncle Rodolfo who wants to be my new daddy.”

What?

Brendon felt like he’d been hit over the head.

“When did this happen?”

“Just yesterday!” Ayaan pouted. “I don’t want that Uncle Rodolfo.”

Ayaan looked at Brendon and added, “Daddy, you made Mommy angry. I don’t want you either. I think Uncle Steve is the best.”

Brendon felt like an arrow had pierced his heart.

“Daddy and Mommy have some misunderstandings that will soon be resolved. Can’t you keep supporting Daddy?”

Brendon pinched Ayaan’s cheek, gritting his teeth a little.

“No! Unless you give me a big Lego set, then I might consider it.” Ayaan crossed his arms like a little adult, negotiating with Brendon.

“Tsk tsk, you’re willing to sell out your mommy for a big Lego set?” Brendon laughed. “Did Steve Pearson buy you a lot of big Lego sets?”

Ayaan thought for a moment and shook his head.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

“Uncle Steve doesn’t need to buy me Lego sets; I like him anyway.” Ayaan patted his head and said, “I’m small, but I remember.”

“Uncle Steve takes care of me every day. He helps me brush my teeth, warms my milk, and sometimes when Mommy isn’t around, I sleep with Uncle Steve.” Ayaan said this with tears welling up in his eyes.