Chapter 2Where Love Runs Out

At the sound, Jackson moved automatically, lining up their slippers by the door and taking their coats, just as he always did.

He had timed dinner perfectly, ensuring the food would be hot and ready the moment they walked in.

"It's getting cold out. I made some chicken soup. You and Leo should have some while it's warm."

"We already ate. I was catching up with Sebastian," Freya said dismissively, her eyes glued to her phone, her thumbs flying across the screen.

Beside her, Leo scowled. "Soup again? I told you I wanted fried chicken!"

"Leo, fried chicken isn't healthy..."

"I don't care! Sebastian bought me fried chicken! You just don't want to make it for me." Leo threw the chopsticks Jackson offered him onto the floor. "No wonder everyone says you're useless! You have no money and no skills! You can't even make fried chicken!"

"You're not even half the man Sebastian is! Hmph!"

The childish, venomous words were like steel needles piercing Jackson’s heart, a cold sickness spreading through him. He couldn't imagine what poison Sebastian had been feeding the boy to make him so ungrateful.

Jackson slowly looked to Freya, but her reaction was even more chilling.

"He's just a child, Jackson. Don't take it to heart." She glanced up for a second, her tone flat. "Leo, don't talk to your father like that."

"I will!" Leo made a face and ran upstairs. "He doesn't even dare to talk back. He really is a useless loser..."

And just like that, everything returned to normal.

The vast living room fell into a dead silence, the crystal chandelier hanging precariously above.

Jackson sank onto the sofa and sat there for a long time before finally pulling the divorce agreement from beneath the coffee table.

Freya was still staring at her phone, but now her frown had smoothed into a look of pure, relaxed contentment.

It was obvious she was texting Sebastian.

That genuine joy was something he hadn't seen on her face in their entire marriage.

Jackson let out a self-mocking laugh and placed the papers on the table.

It didn't matter.

Once she signed, he and Freya would be finished, completely and utterly free.

"Freya," he said, his voice as casual as if he were discussing the weather. "Let's get a divorce. I'll leave with nothing."

"Mm-hmm," she grunted, her eyes fixed on the screen.

"Leo will stay with you. We'll never see each other again. If that's all good, just sign here."

"Okay."

He was used to her distracted replies; it was the soundtrack to the last decade of his life. But now, with Sebastian back in the picture, she couldn't even be bothered to pretend.

Jackson slid the pen and paper towards her. Without hesitation, she scribbled her name, only to pause at the final stroke. He glanced over and saw her smiling foolishly at her phone.

"Freya, did you hear a word I just said?"

"Hmm?" She looked up, annoyed, and quickly finished her signature without a second glance at the document. "Isn't it just about that charity event again? From now on, you can just sign for those things yourself."

With that, she stood up and went to her room, closing the door firmly behind her.

Watching her leave, Jackson's mouth twitched into a bitter line.

She hadn't heard him. She hadn't cared at all.

Ten years of his life, ten years of devotion, and in the end, it amounted to nothing more than his wife's indifference and his son's contempt.

But it was almost over.

Just seven more days, and he would be gone for good.

His wife, his son, and this thing they called a home.

He didn't want any of it anymore.