In order to give the terminally ill bamboo horse to leave the queen, the wife not only aborts the child, but also wants me to be a dish receiver!

My wife, three months pregnant, aborted our child against my will to make room for her childhood friend's baby because he was terminally ill.

Afterward, she calmly stated, Ryan doesn't have much time left. Why would you argue with a dying man? I promise you, once I give birth to Ryan's baby, we can have another one of our own.

Everyone thought I was head-over-heels in love with her, convinced I wouldn't refuse and would eagerly play the pathetic step-dad.

But this time, I decisively signed the divorce papers and bought a plane ticket abroad the very next day.

I saw my ex-wife again two years later at a class reunion.

The moment she stepped into the private room, she shoved her two-year-old child into my arms, a haughty look on her face.

"Liam, you've been throwing a tantrum for two years. Isn't it time you cooled down? If you apologize to me publicly, I might give you a chance to take care of us, mother and son!"

Everyone stifled their giggles, whispering that I had gotten a good deal, a two-for-one.

But I simply flashed the wedding ring on my left hand.

"No thanks. I already have my own wife and child. No need to be a pathetic chump!"

The moment I finished speaking, everyone in the private room froze, their shocked gazes fixed on me, before bursting into laughter.

"Oh, come on, Liam! Who doesn't know you love Serena more than life itself? When Serena had end-stage kidney disease back then, you gave her one of your kidneys. Do you really expect us to believe you'd marry someone else?"

"Exactly! Can you at least get your story straight before you spout nonsense? Who'd believe such rubbish?"

I smirked inwardly, ignoring their chatter.

It was no wonder they were shocked. I *had* been madly in love with Serena.

After her kidney disease diagnosis, I didn't hesitate to donate a kidney to her. To this day, my left kidney still aches faintly on rainy days.

I always gave her the sweetest part of the watermelon. Knowing she hated dragon fruit seeds, I'd painstakingly pick each one out with a toothpick.

Because I loved her, I even tolerated her going on dates with her childhood friend, Ryan, again and again. I tolerated her tying Ryan's tie and gently wiping his mouth right in front of me.

As long as she came home and remembered she had a husband, I was content.

Everyone knew I was a complete fool in love, beyond saving, and they instinctively assumed I was just spouting angry words earlier.

As they collected themselves, Ryan, who had been silent, picked up a bottle of wine from the table and approached me, saying casually, "Liam, I know you're still mad about what happened two years ago."

"It's all my fault. If I hadn't been diagnosed with a terminal illness, Serena wouldn't have aborted your child to give me an heir."

"Since everyone's here today, I'll drink this bottle as an apology to you!"

He chugged the bottle, the burning liquor making him cough uncontrollably.

Serena immediately jumped up, handed her child to a nearby colleague, snatched the bottle, and said, both angry and heartbroken, "Ryan, are you crazy, drinking so much? Even though your condition has been controlled these past few years, you're still a sick man!"

After comforting Ryan, Serena gave me a haughty look and said coldly, "Liam, you've been throwing a tantrum for two years. That's enough!"

"Ryan and I just did IVF; there was no physical intimacy. Why are you still holding a grudge over such a minor thing?"

Everyone started murmuring.

"Liam is so stubborn. It's a two-for-one deal; he actually came out ahead!"

"And Serena has been looking for him all these years. He left for two years, and she searched for two years. It's time to move on from the past."

So, aborting our child to have a baby for Ryan was just a "minor thing" in Serena's eyes?

What surprised me, though, was that Serena had actually been looking for me? What for?

Lost in thought, I heard Serena continue, "Alright, Liam, little Leo needs someone to take care of him. Since you're back, you can take care of him from now on. Even though Leo isn't your biological child, you're his nominal father, so you should be responsible for him."

I scoffed.

Two years hadn't changed a thing. Serena was still arrogant, giving me orders as if it were her right.

But I was no longer the Liam she could manipulate so easily.

My heart had turned to stone the moment Serena aborted our child two years ago, and I had left the country decisively.

And what I'd said earlier wasn't just angry words; I genuinely had gotten married and had a child.

After moving abroad, I found a new job, and before long, I met my wife, Victoria.

She was there for me through those dark times. We got married soon after and had a beautiful daughter.

Just thinking about my wife and daughter filled me with warmth.

Snapping back to reality, I coldly refused, "No thanks. I have my own child to take care of. As for your little Leo, let his biological father do it."

Hearing this, Ryan's eyes immediately reddened.

"Liam, I know you resent me for causing your child to be aborted, which is why you refuse to take care of my child."

"I want to raise Leo myself, but my body won't allow it"

"It's because I trust you that I'm entrusting Leo to your care. He's a very well-behaved child, doesn't cry or fuss, and won't be much trouble. Please, I'm begging you, take pity on me, a father, and take care of Leo"

Ryan made a show of falling to his knees. Serena quickly helped him up and comforted him.

Then, she turned and gave me a cold glance.

"So many people beg to take care of Leo, and I refuse them all. It's an honor for you to care for him, don't be ungrateful!"

Her gaze fell on my clothes, and Serena scoffed.

"Liam, you must not have had it easy these past two years abroad, huh? You can't even wear decent clothes to a class reunion."

"It's about time you stopped being so picky. If you take good care of Leo, I can give you ten thousand a month for pocket money. That's way more than you'd earn working odd jobs."

Ryan also chimed in, sounding like the man of the house, "Yeah, if you take good care of Leo, Serena and I won't treat you badly. With us, you won't have to wear cheap, off-brand clothes."

It was then that everyone noticed my casual outfit. Immediately, sneering remarks filled the room.

"How did Liam fall so far? He can't even afford decent clothes!"

"If only he'd known this would happen. I heard Serena's company took off right after he left. If he hadn't stubbornly gone abroad, he'd be living a comfortable life now."

I just curled my lips into a cold smile.

They had no idea. The clothes I was wearing weren't off-brand; they were custom-designed silk, each piece costing hundreds of thousands.

Seeing me smile, Serena mistakenly thought I was agreeing to take care of Leo.

She pulled out her phone, ready to transfer money to me.

"I'll transfer ten thousand. Go buy some good clothes later, so you don't rub your poverty on our little Leo."

But to her surprise, the message she sent was immediately met with a glaring red exclamation mark!

Serena's eyes widened.

"Liam, you blocked me?!"

I found it amusing.

I'd blocked and deleted her two years ago. Was she just finding out now?

Serena's face flushed with embarrassment, and she demanded that I add her back immediately.

But I said coldly, "Just an ex-wife. What's there to add?"

"Besides, my wife doesn't let me add other women. She gets jealous."

Seeing me repeatedly refuse to give her face, Serena's anger flared.

"Liam, are you done with your act? I've given you a way out. If you insist on being stubborn, then we'll divorce!"

In the past, Serena would always threaten me with divorce whenever she was displeased, forcing me to yield.

She thought she could still manipulate me as easily as before.

But I just smirked coldly.

"Serena, did you forget? We already divorced two years ago."

At my words, the entire room fell silent.

Serena was stunned for a moment. "Divorced? When did we get divorced?"

Then, as if something clicked, she sneered, "I get it! This is your little game, isn't it? Playing hard to get? Two years apart, and you've certainly gotten more cunning!"

I rolled my eyes in exasperation.

"Serena, didn't you see the letter I left two years ago?"

Serena looked confused. "What letter?"

Before I left the country, I had left Serena a letter.

Inside the envelope, along with the wedding ring I'd taken off, was a signed divorce agreement.

I had made her sign that divorce agreement on the day she insisted on aborting our child, despite my pleas.

She was always dismissive of me; she hadn't even looked at it before signing.

She probably hadn't even bothered to properly read the contents of the envelope two years ago.

That's why she didn't know we were already divorced, thinking I was just throwing a tantrum.

Thinking of this, I scoffed, and with a flourish, pulled out my duplicate copy of the divorce agreement from that year, thrusting it in front of Serena.

"Serena, the letter I wrote you back then contained a signed divorce agreement. I made two copies, and this is the other one. Look closely, we're already divorced."

Serena's beautiful eyes widened. She was about to say the divorce agreement was forged, but when she saw her own signature clearly on it, she froze.

"This is really my handwriting? How? I never signed..."

"No, you did. Remember the document I handed you on the day you scheduled your D&C procedure?"

My reminder made Serena realize belatedly that the document I'd made her sign that day was the divorce agreement. Her face turned ashen.

Everyone else was surprised too.

"Liam actually initiated the divorce? Has his 'love-struck' spell finally broken?"

"If they're divorced, why is he back? I bet he still can't let Serena go."

Hearing this, Serena lifted her chin, confidently believing I still had feelings for her.

Little did she know, my return to the country was primarily to accompany my wife and daughter.

Victoria was attending a business gala back home, and our daughter wanted to visit Wonderland Theme Park during the spring break.

I'd just arrived when I received the class reunion invitation, so I decided to drop by.

I was about to shatter Serena's illusion when her phone rang. It was her assistant.

"Ms. Smith, we just got word that Ms. Stone, CEO of Stone Group, is back in the country with her husband and child, and they'll be attending the business gala tonight. The chairman wants us to add an extra seat and treat them exceptionally well."

"The chairman specifically emphasized treating Ms. Stone's husband well, as Ms. Stone is fiercely protective of him. If we can win over her husband, future collaborations are guaranteed."

Only then did I realize that Serena's company was hosting this business gala.

After Serena hung up, everyone started showering her with flattery.

"Serena, Stone Group is a powerhouse! Your company landing a partnership with them means a brilliant future!"

"I heard all the big shots in the business world will be at this gala. Can you help us old classmates make some connections?"

Serena's eyes gleamed with triumph as she glanced at me, speaking condescendingly, "Liam, are you regretting stubbornly divorcing me now?"

"If you agree to take care of Leo, I might consider remarrying you"

I scoffed inwardly.

Stone Group was my wife's company, and I was the very husband they were so desperate to impress.

Before Serena could finish, I coldly interrupted, "Stone Group wouldn't even *look* at your company."

Beside her, Ryan, who had been silent for a long time, gave me a disdainful look.

"How would *you* know?"

I articulated each word clearly: "Because, I *am* Ms. Stone's husband."

At my words, everyone looked at me as if I'd lost my mind, like I was an idiot.

Ryan even burst out laughing.

"If you're Ms. Stone's husband, then I'm Ms. Stone's father!"

"Who doesn't know Ms. Stone dotes on her husband? She once made headlines by splurging hundreds of millions on a watch for him! Ms. Stone's husband is a priceless man, worth hundreds of millions. How could a low-life like you impersonate him?"

"Look at yourself! What part of you screams 'Ms. Stone's husband'?"

But I unhurriedly rolled up my sleeve, revealing a large, diamond-encrusted gold watch on my wrist.

"Are you talking about *this* watch?"

Everyone was utterly shocked.

"The news about Ms. Stone buying a watch and making headlines... it looks just like the one Liam is wearing!"

"So... Liam really is Ms. Stone's husband?"

Ryan's eyes widened when he saw the watch on my wrist, a flicker of envy and malice crossing his face.

The next second, he swiftly yanked the watch off my wrist when I wasn't looking, sneering, "Liam, how dare you try to fool us with a fake watch! How could someone like you impersonate Ms. Stone's husband?"

"Not gonna lie, this knockoff is pretty convincing. Too bad a fake is always a fake; it'll never be real."

"Serena is about to partner with Ms. Stone, and you're impersonating her husband right now? Are you trying to ruin Serena?"

I glared at him coldly.

"Who told you this watch is fake? It's the real deal, now give it back!"

But Ryan refused, deliberately stuffing the watch into his pocket.

I lunged to retrieve it, but he stumbled backward and collapsed onto the floor, his eyes red as he looked at me.

"Liam, I can't believe you hate me so much. Not only did you deliberately push me, but you're also dragging Serena into this just to get back at me. Fine, I'll take Leo and leave, so we don't bother you anymore"

Ryan continued to whine and threatened to leave.

Two years, and he was still pulling the same stunts.

And Serena, as always, fell for it.

This time, she also protected him, just as usual, yelling at me.

"That's enough, Liam! Ryan is a sick man; are you trying to kill him?"

"You're the one in the wrong here. Impersonating Ms. Stone's husband, are you trying to ruin our company's partnership? Two years apart, and you've become so malicious!"

Meeting Ryan's provocative gaze, I smirked inwardly.

He wasn't sick at all. His terminal illness was faked, and his medical records were forged.

I had told Serena before, but she wouldn't believe me, accusing me of slander instead.

Even now, she still didn't believe me.

I couldn't be bothered to argue, expecting Serena to continue her tirade as she always did.

But instead, she sighed helplessly.

"Alright, Ryan seems to like this watch, so just give it to him as an apology."

"Let's just drop this whole thing. I'll pretend I didn't hear anything."

That watch was a special gift from Victoria. Let me just hand it over? No way.

I snatched the watch back, saying coldly, "This is a gift from my wife. You have no right to touch it!"

The sharp watch strap cut Serena's finger.

Seeing me refuse to back down, Serena's face darkened.

"Liam, it's just a cheap watch. If it wasn't to give you a way out, do you really think we'd want it?"

"Ryan, it's just a watch, right? I'll buy you an even more expensive and better one. Let *someone* regret it!"

I ignored them, turning to leave the private room.

Afterward, I returned to the hotel where I was staying.

That evening, I freshened up and headed to the business gala.

Before leaving, Victoria sent me a message, letting me know that Wonderland Theme Park's show had just ended, and she was bringing our daughter over. She told me to go ahead and wait for them.

Knowing my wife and daughter loved cake, I grabbed a plate of small cakes, intending to find a seat and wait.

As I turned, I bumped into Serena and Ryan, both dressed to the nines.

Seeing me, a hint of disdain flashed in Serena's eyes.

"What are *you* doing here? What, did you come specifically to reconcile with me?"

"You were so tough earlier! Seems like that was all just an act!"

Seeing the cake in my hand, Ryan mocked, "Liam, you're not a waiter here, are you? I heard their waiters only make four thousand a month. That's less than taking care of our Leo!"

Serena also wore a haughty expression.

"Liam, if you beg me, I might make an exception and let you take care of Leo, for old times' sake."

I said calmly, "Don't misunderstand. I'm not a waiter. I'm here waiting for my wife and child."

Ryan, however, looked as if he'd heard the funniest joke.

"Liam, the only CEO attending this gala with a child is Ms. Stone. Are you actually going to claim you're Ms. Stone's husband?"

"I am."

Hearing me say that, Ryan crossed his arms and sneered.

"Liam, you're clearly addicted to lying! How dare you spout nonsense and pretend to be someone important at such a crucial event, and you're still wearing that fake watch!"

"If Ms. Stone and her husband find out, we'll all be in deep trouble!"

Before I could react, Ryan lunged forward, snatched the watch from my wrist, and slammed it onto the floor.

The sharp strap cut my wrist, drawing bright red blood.

Before I could even cry out in pain, Ryan shoved me hard onto the ground, grabbed a nearby cake plate, and smashed it onto my face, growling, "I'll teach you a lesson, you imposter, on behalf of Ms. Stone!"

Cake smeared all over my face, the sticky cream clogging my nostrils, nearly suffocating me.

I reached up to wipe the cream off my face, but Ryan cruelly stomped on my hand with his hard leather shoe heel, grinding it repeatedly.

Excruciating pain shot through my entire body. I could almost hear my bones cracking.

The crowd in the hall, having heard I was an imposter, all laughed and pointed.

Serena watched the entire thing with cold eyes.

Just then, someone in the crowd shouted, "Ms. Stone is here!"

Everyone immediately turned to look at the entrance. I waved my arms, trying to get Victoria's attention.

But Serena grabbed my hand, whispering, "Liam, behave yourself! I know you deliberately followed me here because you're jealous."

"As long as you don't make a scene, after the gala, I might consider remarrying you. I can even have another child for you"

She tried to pull me up, but I recoiled in disgust.

Victoria still noticed me. Holding our daughter, she walked towards me, her brows tightly furrowed.

"What happened?"

Ryan's face was full of flattery.

"Ms. Stone, this man is an imposter pretending to be your husband! I've already taught him a good lesson for you!"

Serena echoed, "Yes, Ms. Stone, there's no need to bother with him."

The next second, our daughter let go of Victoria's hand and ran to me. Seeing my disheveled state, her eyes welled up with tears.

"Daddy, why is your face covered in cream? And your hand, it's bleeding"

Suddenly, everyone present was stunned.

"What? Did I hear that right? Ms. Stone's daughter just called this imposter 'Daddy'?"

"Doesn't that mean this isn't an imposter, but the real deal?"