After descending the mountain, I secluded myself to handle all the arrangements for Aiden's funeral. Meanwhile, Amelia and Jay continued their lavish lifestyle, painting their social media feeds with images of their nonstop partying and dining.
During this time, my mother tried countless times to reach Amelia, but her calls went unanswered, leaving her with nothing but a bitter taste in her mouth and a burning anger in her heart.
All she could do was yell into her phone, "That woman has a heart of stone!"
Seven days later, I returned home to Oakville with Aiden's ashes nestled in a small urn. To my surprise, I found Amelia there, with Jay by her side. Jay's smirk was unmistakable, fueled by a sense of smug triumph.
"Casey, where have you been all this time? I called you so many times, but you never answered!"
Amelia’s accusation, delivered with a hint of playful reproach, only fueled my inner bitterness. Therefore, I ignored them both, my gaze fixed on the stairs, my steps heavy with grief.
Today, I was going to pack my things and leave. This lavish home never belonged to an ordinary person like me; I had married above my station.
But she wouldn't accept my indifference. She rushed towards me, grabbing my arm, nearly sending the urn crashing to the floor. "Casey, what's wrong with you?"
Even now, she couldn't see her own flaws. Instead, she blamed me.
My anger boiled over, and I let out a bitter laugh. "Why didn't you answer my mother's calls all these days?"
Amelia frowned and pulled out a battered phone from her purse. "My phone broke. That night, after I picked up Jay, I lost it during a bet while we were gaming."
So, she was busy having fun while my son was dying because of her negligence!
“Why are you so upset, Casey?” she asked, trying to soothe my anger. “It's just a missed call. I'll apologize to your mother in person later.”
Just then, I noticed the handcrafted wooden bracelet on her wrist. It was cracked in several places, as if someone had intentionally damaged it. Fury surged through me. I grabbed her wrist, barely containing my anger. "What happened to the bracelet?"
This bracelet was made from a piece of precious wood passed down from my grandfather. I had carved it myself, meticulously, as a tribute to him. I had spent countless nights carving and polishing it, pouring my heart and soul into creating this exquisite piece of art.
Amelia had always lived a privileged life, never wanting for anything. The only gift I could give her that was truly unique and meaningful was this bracelet, a testament to my love and devotion.
In fact, my hands still bore the scars from crafting it, the wounds still stinging when they got wet.
When she had first received it, she was overjoyed. She promised to cherish it always and wear it forever.
Now, she shrugged it off casually. “I bumped it on the table last night while I was playing dice with Jay. It's just a minor crack. No big deal. Don't make a fuss over it."
She knew the significance of the bracelet, yet she trivialized it. To her, it was nothing more than a discarded piece of craft work. Perhaps, in her eyes, I was nothing more than a hobbyist, an amusing distraction.
This was our sixth wedding anniversary, and it was supposed to be the first one we celebrated together, and Aiden’s first birthday since he had moved back in with her. Yet, she didn't seem to care. She even ditched us for a phone call from someone else.
Yes, Jay was more than just a friend to her.
But what was worse was that, as a mother, she didn't even realize Aiden's health condition and brought him to a mountaintop covered in pollen. She didn't even leave his emergency inhaler behind when she left.
Because of her negligence, I had to watch my own son die in my arms, utterly helpless.
My mother had warned me not to send Aiden to Oakville. Although Oakville offered better educational opportunities, she believed Amelia wouldn't truly care for him.
Back then, I had laughed it off, saying that Amelia was Aiden's mother after all. How could she be so heartless? Now, I realize how incredibly wrong I was.
I headed upstairs without a word. My coldness angered her.
"Why are you giving me the cold shoulder? Did I do something wrong?"
Then, her tone softened. “Where’s Aiden?”
The question, though unexpected, was a slap in the face. It was the first time she had shown any concern for her son, and it was after his death.
Remember how I reassured Aiden at the mountain peak? “Mommy wouldn’t miss your birthday. She loves you the most. She’s probably getting you a surprise!”
What a cruel joke!
“You still remember Aiden? I thought you’d forgotten about him!” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
Amelia’s face went blank for a moment, but she quickly recovered. “He’s my son! What are you talking about?”
“I know. You’re just angry, right? Because I left without a word?” she said, trying to win back my sympathy. “But you know Jay just came back from overseas. We haven’t seen each other in years. And he got hurt while helping me ship something. I couldn’t leave him alone.”
She tried to play the victim, using her helpless charm to manipulate me, a tactic that had worked in the past. But her tears were useless now. Her actions had a devastating consequence.
“I understand,” I said, my voice emotionless. “Amelia, we’re getting a divorce.”
She was taken aback by my statement. Her eyes widened in shock. "Casey, are you serious? You're really leaving me?"
“Yes, we’re getting a divorce,” I repeated, my words firm and unwavering.
Amelia took a deep breath and launched into a tirade. “What about Aiden? Who will take care of him?”
“You? Will you be able to raise Aiden properly? Will you provide him with the best education? I’m telling you, your mother won’t agree to it.”
"Casey, why are you making our lives a mess? Just let it go."
When I didn’t respond, she raised her voice. “Otherwise, I’ll bring Aiden to you. Let him decide.”
“Aiden won’t be coming.”
The mention of Aiden choked me. My jaw clenched, as if I was trying to hold back a wave of grief.
Amelia, however, erupted in a frenzy. “What do you mean he won’t be coming?”
“Where did you take Aiden? Are you trying to use him to hurt me?”
She snorted. “Don’t think you can use Aiden against me. I have my own life and my own circle of friends. You wouldn’t understand.”
I looked at her, at the beautiful facade, and felt a sense of deep disillusionment. It felt like I had never truly known her. I had been the one raising Aiden all these years, a father ten times more devoted than his own mother.
Yet, she assumed I had kidnapped my son to blackmail her? It was absurd!
The thought was inconceivable, a cruel and twisted act that only she and her ilk would contemplate.
“Casey, stop tormenting Amelia. Just give us back the child!”
Jay’s voice was laced with malice, as if the child in question were his own.
Amelia’s eyes welled up with tears. “Casey, please. Give Aiden back to me.”
Their orchestrated performance was a masterpiece of manipulation. It made me look like the villain, the cruel husband who had snatched his son away.
A bitter laugh escaped my lips. “What if I say no?”
Jay, with a ferocity that surprised me, lunged forward, his hands clenching my collar. “Say it again!”
“Jay!” Amelia cried, pulling on his arm.
The room descended into chaos. Amelia was clearly on Jay’s side.
I stumbled back, the small urn in my hand swaying precariously. I held onto it for dear life, my chest tightening with a simmering rage.
If Aiden hadn't said he wanted to make one last memory at Amelia's place, I wouldn't have brought him back here at all.
Seeing my hesitation, Jay spoke, his words dripping with disdain. “Casey, look at you. A pathetic loser. Are you really worthy of Amelia?”
He pointed a finger at me, his voice dripping with contempt. “Your son still bears your name. What kind of pathetic loser are you? Do you have any money or assets?”
He spat the words out, his voice full of malice. “You’re just a country bumpkin, a nobody who climbed his way into the upper echelon. You want a divorce, then go. But stay away from Amelia.”
Jay’s words pierced me, but the more he spoke, the more I saw Amelia’s gaze shift, a flicker of agreement in her eyes.
I had been a fool, sacrificing my career in the Defense Ministry to be with Amelia. If Amelia hadn't begged and pleaded, I wouldn't have been so love-struck as to give up my career prospects. I only joined her company to be closer to her. Now, she allowed her friend to dismiss me as a nobody?
"That's absurd!" I thought. I didn't need Amelia to survive.
Jay's ranting continued, "Casey, are you deaf?! If you're going to get a divorce, then get it over with! And stay away from Amelia from now on! Or I'll beat you up every time I see you!"
I chuckled, a chilling smile spreading across my face. Amelia called out, "Casey, where are you going?"
This time, no one stopped me as I went upstairs.
I placed the urn in our bedroom, and lit a candle, a small offering for Aiden. He was a boy who loved toy cars and picture books, so I placed them alongside his ashes.
When I returned downstairs, they were still there.
I was ready to leave, but Jay once again blocked my path.
"Casey! I won't let you hurt her like this! Be a man and stay to talk things through!"
"I've made myself clear," I said coldly. "It's over between Amelia and me."
"Then what's that in your hands? Give it to me!"
For some reason, Jay tried to snatch Aiden's urn from me!
I dodged his grasp and kicked him in the groin. He doubled over in pain, yelling at the maids, "Grab him! Don't let him leave!"
Amelia's face hardened. She pulled out her phone and said coldly, "Lisa, find my son and bring him back now, no matter what it takes."
"Let me go!"
I was outnumbered, surrounded by a dozen people. Two burly maids tackled me to the ground.
Slap! Slap!
Jay crouched down and slapped me across the face repeatedly, while Amelia stood by, watching with amusement.
"That's what you get, you punk! You need to learn who's really in charge in this house – me or you!"
Amelia patted Jay's shoulder, and he finally stepped back, revealing her. Her face was a mask of pity, tinged with a sense of superiority.
"Casey, I still care about you. So, please stop this nonsense, okay?"
My eyes narrowed with hatred. Jay, enraged by my defiance, grabbed the urn and smashed it on the ground.
A cloud of white dust swirled into the air. Amelia recoiled, her face a mask of disgust.
My mind went blank. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
I broke free from the maids, my body trembling with anger. I grabbed a fruit knife from the coffee table and lunged at Jay.
“I’ll kill you!” I screamed.
"Casey, no!" Amelia shouted.
I wouldn’t kill him, but I would make him pay. The knife cut into his cheek, drawing blood.
The sight of the crimson stain shocked Amelia.
“Casey! Don’t you care about Aiden?”
Amelia couldn’t believe her eyes. The gentle, amiable man she knew had turned violent, attacking the man she claimed to care most.
“You’re so stubborn! If you keep this up, you’ll never see Aiden again!”
Amelia’s face twisted with anger. She dialed Lisa’s number once more. “Listen, don’t let Casey see Aiden ever again!”
Silence. Then, Lisa’s voice, hesitant and subdued. “Ma’am, I have some bad news. Aiden… Aiden has passed away."
Amelia was stunned. “What are you saying? Explain yourself.”
“Ma’am, Aiden… Aiden passed away. The crematorium confirmed it. It happened on your anniversary, the same day you were celebrating."
Amelia’s fingers clenched around her phone, her knuckles turning white. “Why didn’t you tell me? Why did I have to find out this way?”
“You were with Mr. Jay, Ma’am. You told me to avoid bothering you with any news, even the important stuff. That day, the Deputy Chief of the hospital called to ask for you. But you were drinking at the time and told me to handle it."
So, Amelia knew. She could have known the truth all along. Her heartlessness had prevented Aiden from even seeing his mother one last time. And in the end, she would be the one to bear the brunt of her own callous actions.
The air in the mansion was thick with an unsettling silence.
I freed myself from the maids, my eyes stinging, but I refused to cry. I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction.
Slowly, I knelt down and began to gather Aiden’s ashes.
Amelia watched, her gaze never leaving me. She spotted the toy car and the book, her eyes widening in disbelief.
“Those… aren’t Aiden’s ashes, are they?”
I met her gaze, my smile filled with a mocking bitterness. “What do you think, Amelia?”
Amelia, overwhelmed by the realization of her actions, retched violently. Her vomit mingled with Aiden’s ashes, creating a horrific scene. I closed my eyes, my anger rising.
“Amelia,” I said, my voice strained.
She staggered towards me, clutching Jay’s arm. “Casey, please. I didn’t mean it. If I knew Aiden was in the hospital, I would have been there. He’s my child!”
I watched in horror as her high heels crushed Aiden's ashes, scattering the ashes I had just carefully collected. My eyes burned with fresh tears.
I shoved her back, my eyes filled with a mixture of despair and anger. “Get out of my way!”
“Casey, please. Don’t be so cruel,” she pleaded.
“It was because of you! You chose that place! Didn’t you know Aiden was allergic to pollen? Didn’t you know he had asthma?”
Amelia’s hands flew to her face. “I know, I know! Jay said all the other kids liked it there. I thought a little pollen wouldn’t hurt. I just—”
I shook my head, my gaze filled with despair. "Jay again! You disappeared on Aiden's birthday, the day he was so excited about, because of him! You took everything with you! I couldn't even give Aiden a single pill! And your wonderful team? You sent them all to celebrate Jay's return, didn't you?"
I had learned the truth later from a mutual friend's social media post.
It wasn't that the helicopter and the cars couldn't be dispatched without Amelia's permission. On a whim, she had taken them to celebrate Jay's return!
Lisa, her assistant, had lied to me to cover up the truth.
Amelia sobbed uncontrollably. "That's not true, Casey! That's not how it happened!"
"Casey, enough! Don't you think Amelia is heartbroken too that her son is gone?" Jay jumped to her defense again, even pointing at me and yelling, "I don't understand why you're acting so superior to Amelia! Who do you think you are?!"
I was tired of arguing with them.
I took off my jacket, carefully gathered Aiden's ashes into it, and left without looking back.
"Casey, are you even a man?!" Jay shouted at my back.
I ignored him, but Amelia chased after me, clinging to my car door. "Casey, I was wrong! Please give me another chance! We can have more children!"
I gripped the steering wheel, my voice cold. "Let go."
Amelia shook her head, her makeup smeared with tears. "I had already arranged a make-up celebration for our anniversary, including Aiden's. I never imagined things would turn out like this, Casey. I didn't mean for any of this to happen."
"He was my flesh and blood too! Of course I loved him!"
My expression remained cold, and I couldn't help but scoff.
"Love? You dare talk about love in front of Aiden's ashes?"
Amelia's "love" was ignoring Aiden's constant attempts to please her. He was always walking on eggshells around her, afraid to even take an extra serving of food.
Wasn't it ironic?
I had noticed it before but chose not to say anything, hoping things would change. I had overestimated Amelia.
"I promise you, we can have another child. I'll learn to be a good mother."
My gaze was indifferent. "Amelia, do you even deserve to be a mother?"
She flew into a rage, slapping the car door. "I've already agreed to have another child with you! Why are you still pushing me?"
I had always wanted more children, but she had always made excuses, saying she didn't have time and wanted to focus on her career. She had also claimed that having children was bad for her health, and I didn't want her to suffer, so we only had Aiden all these years.
Now that I had given up completely, she was finally willing.
"Aiden's death was an accident! Who would have thought it would happen? Even Jay is heartbroken. He loved Aiden so much—"
"Don't you dare mention Jay's name!"
I slammed my fist on the steering wheel, my voice rising for the first time. "Amelia, you disgust me! He loved Aiden? Do you even know what he did behind your back?"
"Don't you dare slander him!"
My veins bulged as I roared, "Am I slandering him?! Do you only believe him, no matter what I say?!"
"Yes! Because he's not like you, so rude and disrespectful!"
"Aiden always wanted us to be happy together. Do you really want to disappoint him?"
I stared at her, feeling nothing but emptiness.
What was the point of talking to someone who lived in a completely different world?
"Amelia, I'll see you at the courthouse tomorrow."
Amelia was stunned. "What do you mean?"
"I was delusional to think this could work. Now, let's go our separate ways. I can't afford to be associated with your wealthy Oakville circles!"
With a flick of my wrist, I flung the wedding ring from my finger. It arced through the air in a perfect parabola before landing with a splash in the fountain.
Amelia shrieked. "No!"
"Amelia, we're done."
Confusion flickered in her eyes. Her fingers, still resting on the car door, trembled slightly. "Why, Casey? I told you, I didn't mean to harm Aiden!"
"Aiden put his medication in my bag himself."
"I admit I shouldn't have left you like that, but I've been trying to make it up to you! I booked a table at The Eight Stars, the most exclusive restaurant in the city. You and Aiden would have loved it! I do care about you, you know."
"Casey, don't be so petty, okay?"
I laughed, a harsh, humorless sound.
Aiden had trusted her so completely that he had dared to put his life-saving medication in her bag.
And now, he was dead, and she was still making excuses, trying to convince me of her love. Didn't she realize how ridiculous she sounded?
"When we got married, we vowed to stay together forever. I don't want to be the laughingstock of our social circle, and I hope you won't break that vow either."
Amelia lifted her chin haughtily. "Just take a few days to cool off, Casey."
I took Aiden back to my hometown for his burial.
After the seventh day of mourning, I attended a celebratory dinner for a successful project my team had completed.
My colleagues and I were having a wild night, and as the party was winding down, Amelia, our CEO, unexpectedly showed up.
"Why is he so drunk? Didn't anyone try to stop him?"
Amelia's face was grim as she started spooning honey water into my mouth.
In the past, I never dared to come home smelling of alcohol after a work event. Even if I was wasted, I would find a hotel to clean up before returning.
Back then, I couldn't bear to see even a flicker of displeasure on Amelia's face.
But now, her feigned concern only filled me with disgust.
"I chose to drink. Why are you showing off in front of my team?"
My team members were startled by my words. They quickly tried to smooth things over.
This was our CEO, after all. I had always been respectful to her, never daring to disagree with her, even when I had a different opinion. Many people had suspected that I had feelings for Amelia, so they were shocked to see me talking to her like this, fueled by alcohol.
"Casey! I'm concerned about you! You haven't been home lately, and I was really—"
She wouldn't stop talking, and I was afraid my colleagues would overhear something, so I grabbed her wrist and dragged her out of the private room.
"Why won't you let me finish?"
My gaze was devoid of any warmth, filled with nothing but impatience. "Does this look good to you?"
Amelia was clearly confused. "What do you mean?"
"Mr. Casey, your coat."
A new recruit from our team came out to give me my coat. She didn't dare to look up, quickly placing it in my hands before scurrying away.
Amelia immediately became suspicious. She pointed at the door to the private room and yelled, "Are you ashamed of our relationship? Or is there someone else?"
I almost burst out laughing. "Amelia, get a grip! We're divorced."
"Do you think I was joking the other day? We're over! There's nothing between us anymore! Even if I had someone else, it wouldn't be you! Please stay away from me, okay?"
If it weren't for the contract that hadn't expired yet, I would have left Williams Corp long ago. Why should I continue working for her?
"Casey! How can you talk to me like that?! I'm your wife!"
I looked at her with indifference, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Remember, ex-wife!"
I shook her off and hailed a taxi.
That night, I created a group chat, added our respective assistants, and then blocked all of Amelia's contact information.
A decent ex should be like a ghost, shouldn't they?
I immersed myself in work. I was still working for Williams Corp, but at least the money I earned was mine.
I spent my days at the office, and my evenings with my team or with old friends, enjoying a level of freedom I had never had before. Back when I was with Amelia, she’d go out partying every night, but she wouldn’t allow me to leave the house. Every night, I would be stuck traveling between Oakville and my hometown, taking care of Aiden, putting him to sleep, and then rushing back to take care of Amelia, who would be drunk.
Thank God, those days were over.
One day, we had a department meeting. Amelia called on our team. “Casey, your team’s performance this month has been underwhelming. Stop by my office after work.”
I had mixed feelings. Our performance wasn’t the best, but it was on par with the other teams. I guessed she was just trying to make things difficult for me.
As soon as I entered her office, Amelia nodded to Lisa, her assistant, who closed the door behind me.
“Casey, sit down. Take a look at these contracts,” she said, gesturing to the two contracts on her desk. One was about our team’s bonuses and future employment. The other was a partnership deal with Bennett Corporation.
“Amelia, what is this?” I asked, my voice wary.
Amelia’s tone was soft and warm, a stark contrast to her usual commanding demeanor. “You guys didn’t hit your target this month. Someone has to go. I know you won’t want to lose anyone, so I’ve given you this opportunity to work with Bennett Corporation. What do you think?”
“You’re putting me on the spot. And even if I refuse, it won’t matter, will it? You’ve already submitted my resume. I’ll have to meet with them tomorrow to negotiate the contract.”
“Casey, you know how much I appreciate you. This is a chance for you to prove yourself.”
I frowned. “Amelia, are you playing games with me? Don’t think I’m going to be grateful for this. I don’t want to owe you anything."
Amelia’s face softened. “Casey, you were the one who broke our marriage.”
“I just want you to come back to me.”
My heart was already broken, beyond repair. But I didn’t need to explain myself to her. She was still my boss. I just nodded, took the contracts, and said, “I’ll do my best.”
As I was leaving, Amelia stopped me. She stepped forward and adjusted my collar. “Casey, I’ll be waiting for you when you get back.”
I knew about the Bennett Corporation project. They were represented by their daughter, Sunny Bennett, a young woman who was as spoiled and privileged as Amelia. I assumed the deal wouldn’t go through.
But when I met Sunny, I was pleasantly surprised. We clicked instantly.
“Mr. Casey, you’re so funny and charming. You’re the kind of person I want to be friends with!” she said, her eyes sparkling.
She shook my hand, and then, as if it weren’t enough, she pulled me into a hug. “It’s international etiquette. You wouldn’t mind, would you?”
I’m a thirty-something guy, but I still managed to maintain my composure when faced with a younger woman. “Of course not,” I replied politely.
“I’m having a birthday party next Friday. I’d love for you to come, Casey. You have time, right?” she asked.
The others in my team exchanged curious glances.
“Of course, I’d be honored,” I said.
I had already signed the contract. I owed her this much. And Sunny was a breath of fresh air. She was different from Amelia. She was warm, genuine, and approachable.
As I was driving back to the office, I kept looking at the contract. It was a multi-million dollar deal. I couldn’t believe it.
Amelia hadn’t mentioned it was such a big project. Not only was there a hefty bonus, but the deal could even lead to a promotion for me and my team.
We were divorced, so why was Amelia going out of her way to impress me? Didn’t she realize that once a heart is broken, it’s impossible to mend?
“Hey, Casey,” a familiar voice called out.
I looked up. Jay was stepping out of the CEO’s elevator. He was heading straight for me.
“Oh, you signed the deal, huh? Let me guess, Bennett Corporation, right?”
Jay chuckled. “I figured out why Amelia made me give up this project. It was for you. I should have known.”
I didn’t want to waste my time with him. “Can you just leave me alone? I need to clock in.”
“Hold on, Casey. Don’t think Amelia still has feelings for you.”
“I’ll let you in on a little secret. We’ve already been intimate,” he said, a smug grin spreading across his face.
“Amelia has always loved me. If I hadn’t gone overseas, there wouldn’t have been any need for you. You’re nothing but a gold digger, a peasant who got lucky. You know, your mom worked her ass off to get you into that fancy school in Oakville.”
“Let me guess, she’ll be so proud of her son, the kept man.”
“Thanks for moving out of the way, though. Next month, Amelia and I are getting married.
"You can stay in your little hole, living off our charity. Watch as we grow closer and you spend the rest of your life alone."
His laughter echoed through the empty hallway, a mocking sound that made me want to punch him.
