Chapter 1
Five years ago, Drake Sullivan went bankrupt.
Our standard of living plummeted dramatically.
We were broke, and I didn’t want him to worry.
So every night, Lucas and I would dig through trash cans for bottles and cardboard to help make ends meet.
Lucas would hold up his perfect test papers, looking at me with those pitiful eyes, and cautiously ask:
“Mom, can I trade this hundred on my test for a family trip to the amusement park?”
But we were poor. Drake was always out early and back late, constantly turning down Lucas’s pleas with excuses—
No time. No money.
But that day, I couldn’t bear to disappoint Lucas again.
So I took him to the amusement park, hoping to surprise him.
But then, the ticket seller told me, “The park’s been rented out for a private event today.”
I pulled a disappointed Lucas away from the counter.
And just as we were leaving, I caught sight of Drake, holding hands with his childhood sweetheart,cradling a child in his arms,grinning as they walked through the VIP entrance.
In that moment, my heart just... died.
I had a sinking suspicion.
To confirm it, I pointed at them and feigned ignorance, asking the ticket clerk, “Why are they allowed in?”
The clerk rolled her eyes and replied with a trace of contempt, “He’s the one who booked the entire park.”
In that moment, a chill washed over me, and I couldn’t stop trembling.
Asking questions you already know the answers to—it’s pointless.
Why even bother?
I already knew the truth. I was just clinging to a shred of hope.
The one who rented out the park was Drake.
“Mom, aren’t we buried in debt?”
“When did Dad get so rich?”
“Why didn’t he tell us…”
Lucas tugged gently at my sleeve, mustering his courage to look up and ask.
He stood quietly at my side, his eyes filled with confusion and the faintest flicker of hurt, blinking up at me, hoping I’d explain.
When did Drake get so rich?
The truth is—he always was.
It was only after he married me five years ago that he suddenly declared bankruptcy.
I didn’t know if he’d rebuilt everything in secret, or if he’d been lying to me all along.
But whatever the reason, there was no excuse for pretending to be poor in front of me and Lucas.
As I looked at Lucas, wearing his best shirt faded to nearly white, I clenched my fists and made up my mind.
Lost in thought, my face grew darker by the second.
Lucas must’ve noticed. My face looked like I was on the verge of tears. Still, he forced a smile and tried to comfort me, pretending everything was fine:
“Mom, maybe it’s just part of Dad’s job. Let’s go home, okay? Don’t be sad… don’t worry…”
His voice started to tremble, breaking at the edges.
Maybe he didn’t want me to notice—so he just stopped talking altogether.
But his little hand held mine tightly.
My heart clenched. Pushing aside my grief, I knelt down in front of him.
His cheeks were streaked with tears.
Panicked, I pulled him into my arms and held him tight, then rushed away.
Lucas rested his head on my shoulder, his eyes fixed on that “happy family” in the distance.
He didn’t look away until they completely vanished from view. Then, he finally wrapped his arms around my neck and went quiet.
He shifted a little, then gently patted my back—like he was the one trying to comfort me.
I kissed him on the forehead, letting him know I understood.
Later, back home, I stared at Lucas for a long time.
I hesitated, thoughts swirling in my head.
In the end, I made a decision—I would consult a divorce attorney.
At 8 p.m., the sound of a key turning echoed from the entryway.
Drake was home.
I sat on the couch, watching silently as Lucas, just like always, ran excitedly to his father and reached out his arms for a hug.
And, just like always, Drake turned him down.
Lucas, used to the rejection by now, slowly lowered his arms—and his eyes.
But he quickly brushed off the disappointment, grabbing Drake’s pants and looking up with a hopeful smile:
“Dad, can you get me a Transformer?”
Drake frowned slightly, his tone tinged with annoyance:
“Lucas, you’re asking for a Transformer just like that? Do you even know how expensive those are?”
“When did you become so materialistic?”
Lucas went pale.
In the past, he would’ve apologized the moment he sensed Drake’s disapproval.
But today, he stood his ground—like he was trying to prove something.
“Is it? Are Transformers really that expensive?”
His voice was soft, but full of defiance.
He stared up at Drake with wide, stubborn eyes.
Why could Dad spend money renting out an amusement park for someone else’s kid—but not buy a simple toy for his own son?
And then call him materialistic?
Wasn’t he Dad’s child?
Lucas clenched his tiny fists, biting his lip, heartbroken.
But he didn’t say a word.
