Chapter 4

Immediately, I realized Renee had deliberately added me to provoke.

I wanted to slap myself.

How could I have felt a moment of sympathy for them and even entertained the thought of staying to lead a good life?

Some people just hide their true nature behind a facade.

I didn't respond, but Renee was unfazed and sent me another photo.

It was a live photo of her and Felix drinking from the same cup.

Through the reflective glass, I saw it was taken by my daughter, and the photo had a voice recording.

"Renee mom and my dad are such a perfect match!"

Renee messaged me, asking, "How is it?

Do you like our couple photo?"

And there were many more.

I turned my phone over on the table, feeling a wave of nausea.

I felt sick to my stomach.

I leaned over the trash can, retching.

Soon, hurried footsteps approached me, and Felix patted my back anxiously.

"Qingqing, what's wrong? Don't scare me."

I retched for a long time but couldn't throw up anything, trembling as I stood up.

"Maybe it's because the noodles I had this morning were too greasy."

My daughter handed me a cup of warm water.

"Mom, drink some water."

I glanced at the water, and the image of that photo flashed in my mind again.

I pushed it away abruptly and vomited into the trash can for a long time.

My daughter's dress got soaked, and she pouted before bursting into tears.

"Mom, I hate you!"

"Why do I always have to coax you? You're nothing like Renee, who spoils me. You can't even compare to Aunt Renee!"

She cried louder and louder.

After all, she's just a child, so upset she didn't realize she was saying things she shouldn't say.

Felix's face changed instantly.

"Nian Nian!

What did you say? Who is Renee mom?" I grabbed my daughter's hand and asked softly.

She sobbed, and I squatted down, looking at her quietly.

Looking at the daughter I carried for ten months, she suddenly seemed so unfamiliar.

When she was ten months old, I noticed her love for drawing and spent half a year's salary to build her a private studio at home.

She loved bedtime stories, and no matter how tired I was during the day, I would find new stories to tell her at night, continuing to this day.

She had a weak stomach since childhood, and I spent a lot of time researching recipes and customizing meals just for her.

I always thought my education was successful, making her know to cheer me up when I was in a bad mood.

"So, in your heart, is it always mom forcing you?"

Felix hurriedly interjected, "No, she's just speaking nonsense!

Renee mom was just a character she met during a performance in kindergarten!

Nian Nian, quickly explain to mom."

But my daughter, overwhelmed with emotion, couldn't hear anything.

She shook off my hand and shouted, "What I said is true, I just hate mom!

Dad, didn't you promise me you'd get me a new mom after my birthday? I don't want to wait any longer... boo!"

Felix quickly covered her mouth.

"Don't talk nonsense, child."

He picked her up and carried her to the room.

"Alright, she might just be tired."

I slowly stood up, holding onto Felix's coat.

"Since our daughter wants a new mom, I might as well fulfill her wish."

Felix was stunned, clearly panicking.

"Qingqing, don't say that. I can't bear the pain of losing you... I'll take the child back to her room first, wait for me!"

Then he quickly carried her to the room, covering her mouth to keep her from speaking.

I collapsed onto the sofa, feeling utterly drained.

The reckless attitude I'd adopted vanished instantly.

I even considered taking this opportunity to turn against them, divorce Felix, and return to my hometown in Germany.

But I worried Felix wouldn't let me go.

As I pondered, I didn't realize when Felix sat beside me, holding my hand.

"Qingqing, don't be angry.

You know Nian Nian is only five and probably heard something she shouldn't have, which made her so upset.

Don't worry, I'll teach her properly once she wakes up."

"So, " Felix suddenly gripped my hand tightly, "you were just speaking out of anger, right?"

There was an almost obsessive possessiveness in his eyes.

My skin prickled with unease.

I understood that if I openly declared my intention to leave him, he would never let me go.

Even if, in his heart, both he and our daughter preferred Renee.

I took a deep breath, nodded, and forced a smile.

"Yes, I was just too angry."

Visibly relieved, Felix let out a breath.

In the following days, he became more sensitive than before, staying by my side constantly.

My daughter seemed unhappy, but whatever Felix told her made her put on a brave face when dealing with me.

I acted as usual, pretending not to notice her forced smiles.

Previously, they would frequently go out every few days.

But now, even when working, Felix stayed by my side.

I often heard his phone ringing, and my daughter's eyes would light up momentarily.

I assumed it was Renee's special ringtone.

But Felix would glance at it and immediately hang up, afraid of upsetting me, and say, "It's just a competitor trying to cause trouble, not someone else."

Yet, his actions left me with no chance to pack my belongings and leave.

Only a week remained until my departure abroad.