Chapter 8

The online chatter about Jared jolted me awake. A tabloid video showed him at Langley Group, having dinner with Yvonne. Even from a distance, their intimacy was undeniable—they fed each other like a married couple. Yvonne had never done that for me. The posts were brutal.

"Secret marriage! Secret kids!" one screamed. "He couldn't go public while building his career. Now it proves he made it on his own! Power couple!" Others gushed, "High school sweethearts! So cute!"

The internet's power terrified me. Within hours, old photos of Jared and Yvonne from university surfaced, cementing their "perfect couple" image. I watched, cold and sinking, as their blissful past went viral. This was self-torture. I tossed my phone aside, burying myself under the sheets, but sleep wouldn't come.

Morning arrived too soon. I stayed in bed, listening to Yvonne and the kids have breakfast. Only when they were about to leave for school did I rise.

"Wyatt, take them to school," I said.

He stared, stunned. "I'm busy," he finally managed, his voice uneasy.

I'd always taken them. I wanted to be a good father. But not anymore. It was time to prioritize myself.

With the kids gone, I worked late, returning home near dinner. Yvonne was already there, her frown sharp. "Where have you been? Neglecting the kids again?"

I calmly joined them. Serving Jonas, I said, "I'm not their nanny. Why should I do this? Can't you?"

Yvonne's face hardened. Jonas tugged my sleeve. "Daddy, please don't fight with Mommy."

"We won't," I said, ruffling his hair. "Let's eat."

After dinner, I called Yvonne to the study and handed her the divorce papers. "Review it. Sign it. Let's finalize this."

Her eyes widened. She tore the papers into shreds and tossed them in the trash.