Past the Crossroads of No Return

During the holidays, I've worked my ass off just to whip up a feast filled with my wife, Willow Steele's favorite dishes. But soon, my mother-in-law pulls out a paternity test report and announces with a smile that the birth father of my daughter, Naomi Johnson, is actually Willow's childhood sweetheart, Luther Lloyd. Everyone bursts into laughter before saying teasingly that "no wonder Naomi looks so much like Luther". Willow's father even pats Luther on the shoulder while looking at him as though the latter were a part of the family. What stings my heart the most is that Willow is laughing so hard that she can barely stand up straight. So, that leaves her clinging to Luther while she taps Naomi on the forehead with a finger. "Go on, call Mr. Lloyd 'daddy.' He's your real dad, after all." Naomi, who has always kept me at an arm's length, rushes into Luther's arms without hesitation and starts calling him "daddy" sweetly. I fall silent for a moment as I watch everything unfold. Then, I draw to my feet and look at Willow. "Let's get a divorce." But Willow just chuckles icily in return. "Must you go that far? My mom was just joking around." When I'm about to leave, Willow turns to tell the others, "He's just being ridiculous. Once I give him the cold shoulder for a few days, he'll still beg me to return to his side pathetically." But what Willow doesn't know is that I've chosen to endure everything she's hurled at me out of love in the past. Now, I want nothing more than to leave her permanently. Chapter 1 Even on a day meant for family reunions, the streets appeared strangely empty. I took out my phone, planning to call a ride. Before I could open the app, I saw Willow Steele's Instagram post. She was holding our daughter, Naomi Johnson, together with Luther Lloyd. The three of them smiled warmly at the camera. The caption read, "Our family of three." My fingers tightened around my phone. My partner of six years, Willow, had never been one to post on social media—not when we were dating, getting married, or raising Naomi. She had never shared any of it. It wasn't like I hadn't asked her why before. Her answer had always been the same. She said it wasn't necessary. Now, looking at that intimate family photo, I finally understood what she meant. I shook my head, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. Then, I dialed my supervisor. For years, my company had wanted to send me abroad for further training. I kept putting it off because I couldn't bear to leave Willow and Naomi behind. Now, all at once, it hit me that everything I had given over the years had been nothing more than a one-sided effort. I was just about to book a flight when I realized I had forgotten my ID and passport, so I had no choice but to return home. The moment I opened the door, I was greeted by a mess all over the floor. Leftover snacks were scattered everywhere, along with half-finished dishes left behind. Right by the bedroom door lay something impossible to miss—a box of levonorgestrel pills and a piece of wine-red lingerie. Willow had never liked being physically intimate with me. Even Naomi's existence had come from a drunken incident. Just then, the bedroom door opened. It was Willow. The moment she saw me, she froze for a split second. I couldn't help but notice the bright, unmistakable hickeys on her neck. They stood out sharply. If this had happened before, I probably would've thundered, demanding an explanation. Now, I simply looked away from her. Willow quickly composed herself. She crossed her arms, a hint of disdain on her face. "Didn't you say you wanted a divorce? It's barely been a few hours, and you're changing your mind already?" I drew a deep breath, forcing myself steady. "I'm here to grab my ID and passport. I'll leave right after that." She paused for a moment, then let out a cold laugh. "Who are you trying to fool? You think pulling this kind of stunt will get my attention. You know what—let's just end the fight. Since you're back anyway, clean up the house. "Because of you, dinner was ruined, and my family had to leave early. Once you're done, go out and buy some hangover medicine for Luther." Every holiday, all the mess at home had always fallen on me. She had never once offered to help. Honestly, I was done playing the butler. Chapter 2 I ignored Willow and headed straight for the master bedroom. The moment I entered, I saw Luther lying on the very bed she and I shared. I had barely taken a second look when Willow snapped at me, "Luther had a bit too much to drink and isn't feeling well, so I let him rest in our bedroom. Must you make a big deal out of it? You're a grown man. Act like it! "Honestly, I don't know how you do it. Look at other husbands—none of them are as paranoid as you! And besides, if there really were anything going on between Luther and me, I wouldn't have married you at all." Just then, Naomi ran out of her room. She stuck out her tongue at me and shoved me. "Daddy, you're the worst. I hate you! Mr. Lloyd is the daddy I want!" I looked at Naomi, at the undisguised dislike in her eyes, and something in my chest twisted sharply. She had been frail since birth. Willow was always busy following Luther around, so I spent countless days and nights taking Naomi to the hospital and caring for her. Yet now, just like her mother, she chose Luther over me. Leaning against the headboard, Luther smiled and picked Naomi up in his arms. "You're really my sweet girl, aren't you, Naomi?" Willow immediately stepped forward with concern. "How are you feeling? Is your head still spinning?" What a perfect picture of a family of three. A cold laugh escaped my throat as I shook my head, forcing down the dull ache in my chest. Once I picked up my ID and passport, I turned to leave. … After booking my flight, I stared at my phone. The screen showed a departure three days away. I looked up at the full moon hanging in the sky, and my thoughts began to drift. Six years ago, under a moon just like this, Willow had pulled me over from the side of the road on a whim—just to spite Luther—and confessed to me. Back then, I really believed it was a stroke of luck. I had always had a crush on her and believed that as long as we were together, I could, one day, win her heart. Yet over the past six years, she had broken plans with me time after time because of Luther. He forced his way into our lives with stubborn persistence. It wasn't that I had never thought about giving up, but after Willow gave birth to Naomi, I once believed she might return to our little family. Now, I could finally see how much of that had just been wishful thinking. I lowered my head and smiled bitterly. I sent a message to my lawyer, asking him to draft a divorce agreement. When I got home, I started packing my things. Just then, Willow brought out a steaming bowl of soup. She smiled as she called out to me, "Come have a taste. Think of it as making up for the dinner." I was taken aback. A familiar bitterness rose in my chest. Pretending nothing happened so the conflict would be swept under the rug—that had always been her way of dealing with our problems. I glanced at the bowl, which appeared to be Avgolemono soup. Again, I shook my head. The one who loved eggs in their soup had never been me. It was Luther. Besides, I was allergic to eggs. Even after six years, Willow couldn't remember that. I let out a quiet sigh and pushed the bowl away. My voice came out hoarse. "I'm not hungry." Willow's voice sharpened instantly. "What are you trying to pull this time, Skyler? Gosh, I'm sick of you!" Hearing the noise, Naomi rushed over and started hitting me with her tiny fists. "Bad daddy, bad daddy! It's all your fault! You're the reason I can't have Mr. Lloyd as my daddy! He just left because of you, and now, you're bullying Mommy!" At that moment, Willow's phone rang. Luther's weak voice came through from the other end. "Willow, my head is killing me." Her expression tightened with panic. She grabbed her coat and hurried toward the door. Even Naomi started clamoring to go with her. "I want to see Mr. Lloyd, too," she said. "He said he loved the drawing I made for him last time." It had been Father's Day. That day, Naomi had come home hugging a drawing she clearly treasured. I had already seen in the school group chat that it was a gift kids were meant to give their fathers, so I had been so happy, anticipating the moment of receiving it. Chapter 3 In the end, Naomi gave that drawing to Luther. She even said, "In my heart, Mr. Lloyd will forever be the daddy I love most!" As Willow walked past me, her voice was cold. "Do whatever you want with the soup." Normally, knowing she had made it herself, I would've forced myself to eat it, no matter what. This time, however, I poured them straight down the sink. I also sent a message to my lawyer, telling him to include a clause that I would voluntarily give up custody of Naomi. For the next two days, Willow and Naomi didn't come home. I knew what they had been doing exactly because everything I had to know was on Willow's Instagram. In one post, Naomi sat on Luther's shoulders, grinning and holding up a cotton candy. Willow stood nearby, looking at them with a happy smile. The caption read, "Our simple happiness." At a bistro, Willow fed Luther a bite of cut steak, smiling the whole time. More glaring photos like these flashed past my eyes. I said nothing and simply hit "like". Suddenly, Naomi's homeroom teacher called, saying no one was coming to the parent-teacher meeting. I thought, since it was the last one, I might as well go. When I arrived, Naomi was showing off to a group of kids. "My daddy treats me like a princess. He's the best daddy in the whole wide world!" My chest tightened for a moment. A tiny warmth sparked inside me. I smiled and called out, "Naomi." To my surprise, she suddenly screamed and shoved me away. "Who told you to come?" The other kids started whispering. A girl even pointed at me and asked, "Naomi, isn't this your dad?" "No, he's not!" Naomi replied aggressively, grabbing a crayon from the table and throwing it at me. "My daddy is a million times better than him! Now, go, you bad guy!" In that instant, it hit me. She hadn't been talking about me, but Luther. A bitter laugh slipped out as I lowered my head, just in time to see Willow and Luther approaching arm in arm for the doorway. Instantly, Naomi's face lit up. She ran straight into his arms, pride glowing in her eyes. "See him? This is my real daddy!" Meanwhile, Willow pulled me aside, frowning impatiently. "What are you doing here? Naomi's at that age where she cares a lot about appearances. Go home and don't embarrass her!" For once, I pushed back. "I'm her father." She snorted in my face. "Father? Look at you, and look at Luther. He's a well-known artist, while you're just some insignificant corporate worker. You might not feel embarrassed, but I do." I was stunned for a moment. Over the past few years, the company had hinted at promoting me, but I had always turned it down because I was worried I couldn't take care of my family. Now, somehow, that was being used as a reason to look down on me. Luther stepped forward with a smile, wrapping an arm around Willow's waist. His eyes flicked to me, as if challenging me. "Come on, Willow, don't be too harsh," he said. "Maybe Skyler is just trying to do right by Naomi. Of course, sometimes, it's better to step down. Naomi just joked about wanting me to adopt her." Then came another pointed look from him. Naomi quickly tugged on Willow's sleeve, her excitement bubbling over. "Yes, please! Mommy, I want Mr. Lloyd to be my daddy! Please let him adopt me! That way, I can finally call him 'Daddy' openly!" I caught the victorious gleam in Luther's eyes and couldn't help but remember last week. Naomi had been pestering me about wanting to learn to draw. I had run down three blocks late at night to buy her imported crayons. In the end, she had proudly given the drawing to Luther instead. I hung my head, shaking it lightly, and walked past them. It didn't matter anymore. I wasn't going to fight for custody, anyway. From now on, she could call whoever she wanted "Daddy" for all I cared. Luther, however, suddenly stepped forward and blocked my way. Chapter 4 Luther's lips turned downward, as if he were apologetic. "Skyler, are you upset with me? I'm sorry. I know I caused all of this." As he stepped closer, however, his voice dropped to a volume that only I could hear. His words turned vicious. "Do you know why Willow got drunk five years ago and let you have your way?" A cruel smile curled at his lips. "It was because I told her I wanted a baby. I didn't expect her to down half a bottle of red wine right away, only to stumble into the arms of the wrong man. "When she came to me pregnant with your child, she was sobbing, said she couldn't let the kid be born without a father." He brushed imaginary dust off his sleeve, his movement elegant yet humiliating. "I pitied her, so I let her keep the baby. Otherwise, what made you think someone like you was ever worthy of being with her?" I stared at Luther's mocking smile. So, the child I had longed for and cherished had been nothing more than an accident, a mistake. No wonder Willow had been oddly passionate that night. She had simply mistaken me for someone else. Fury and humiliation finally churned inside me. My hand came down hard across his face. "You son of a bitch!" Behind me, Willow screamed at the turn of events and didn't hesitate to slap me in return. "What do you think you're doing, Skyler?" She rushed to help Luther up, her face full of pity. Naomi also started hitting me, as if trying to get revenge for her beloved daddy. I looked at Luther again. That same mocking smile still lingered at the corner of his lips. For a fleeting moment, I realized Willow might not have been so different from me. I had spent six years longing for her love, while she had relentlessly chased after him, unaware that he saw her only as a disposable plaything. I covered my face and closed my eyes. From my bag, I pulled out the divorce papers. My voice was terrifyingly calm. "Just sign it. I don't want custody of Naomi." Willow froze, clearly not expecting me to drop such a bomb. I slammed the papers onto a nearby desk. "It's been six years. I'm tired. You can do whatever you want, be with whoever you want, and let Naomi call whoever she wants 'Daddy.' I don't care anymore." Before she could respond, Luther, behind her, covered his face. Tears welled pitifully at the corners of his eyes. "I'm fine, Willow. It's okay. Just don't ruin your relationship for me." Her eyes fell on his swollen face. As if fueled by determination, she snatched up the divorce papers. "Oh, I'll sign! You'd better not regret this, Skyler Johnson!" With that, she tossed the signed papers aside and hurriedly helped Luther out the door. Her eyes were full of endless worry, just like back then. When Naomi was three and had a febrile seizure in the middle of the night, I ran down the emergency room hallway with Naomi in my arms. Meanwhile, Willow had said over the phone, "Luther's stomach isn't feeling well. I can't leave." "Mr. Lloyd, look! I drew our family!" Naomi suddenly chirped, running ahead to show a crayon drawing. On the paper were three little figures holding hands, devoid of my existence. I stood in place, my fingertips suddenly tingling. Last winter, when Naomi was hospitalized with the flu—feverish and delirious, repeatedly calling out for me—I stayed with her for three whole days, rubbing her palms and soles with a warm towel. When the nurse came to change her IV, she had said, "Your dedication as a dad is remarkable, Mr. Johnson." Back then, Naomi had held my finger tightly and whispered, "Don't leave me, Daddy." I looked away, trying to hide my emotions. Bending down, I picked up the divorce agreement and let my fingers brush over Willow's messy signature. For a moment, the ink felt like the six years we had shared—careless, ruthless, and pointless. Without looking back, I turned and boarded my international flight.