Raising Her Daughter

My wife just had a baby with her lover, and she brought both father and daughter straight into our home. As her husband, I was expected to wait on her during her confinement. However, I didn’t throw a tantrum this time. Instead, I tied on an apron, cooked for her, and even helped that man carry his luggage into the master bedroom. From that day on, I became the biggest joke in our social circle. I was a grown man turned servant, catering to a freeloading pretty boy and changing diapers for my own illegitimate daughter. Kim loved flaunting my obedience to her friends. “Dylan loves me so much, he’ll do anything as long as I don’t divorce him.” Her lover mocked me at every turn, treating me like a servant and making me wash the sheets he and my wife used. Everyone assumed I was hopelessly in love with Kim, having endured eighteen years of humiliation for a chance at her heart. However, I knew the truth. I was waiting for the day the child turned eighteen. Then, thirty percent of Kim’s Foster Group stock would finally be mine. Chapter 1 Samantha Foster’s eighteenth birthday party was nothing short of extravagant. The girl I raised with my own hands had grown into a tall, graceful beauty. Yet between her brows lingered a sharpness and arrogance, just like Kim Foster in her younger days. In the crowd, she stood between Kim and Luke Wright, who was dressed in a tailored suit. And I, Kim’s lawfully wedded husband, stood off in a corner, like an outsider peeking in on their happiness. “Dylan, didn’t you see Luke’s glass is empty? Go pour him a drink.” It has been eighteen years. Being ordered around like this had long since become normal. Kim commanded me like it were only natural. It was as if I weren’t her husband, but just a convenient servant. I answered flatly, “Okay.” “Dylan, how can we let you do this kind of work? If people see it, they might think I’m bullying an honest man.” Luke stood there with one hand in his pocket, a playful smile curling at his lips, his eyes full of provocation. Then, he casually pulled a document from his suit and flicked it in front of me. “But… now that Samantha’s an adult, it’s about time you got out, isn’t it? “Samantha is my biological daughter. You’ve worked hard raising her for me, sure, but my daughter doesn’t need two fathers.” At those words, whispers spread through the crowd. Their gazes pierced into me like needles. “Man, Dylan really got the short end of the stick. Raised her for eighteen years, and now the real dad comes back to take everything.” “What’s so tragic about it? He just wanted the Fosters’ money. Guys like him, living off a rich family, have no backbone. He stayed for the benefits. He deserves this humiliation.” Their words splashed against wounds that had already long healed. I didn’t argue and just looked at Samantha. The child I had raised with my own hands stood beside another man, coldly looking away. It felt like a dull blade dragging across my chest. I clenched my fists, my voice low. “Samantha… these eighteen years, Luke never cared about you. It was me—” “Shut up!” Samantha cut me off sharply, her eyes filled with disgust and impatience. “Can’t you understand plain English? My dad is back. So can you, as a servant, have some self-awareness? “Just looking at your stiff face makes me sick. Get lost already.” “Good. That’s my girl.” Luke patted her shoulder, nodding in satisfaction. I, on the other hand, was shoved back two steps, barely managing to steady myself. When Samantha was five, she had a high fever. Luke and Kim went off on a vacation overseas without a second thought, leaving her behind. I was the one who took her to the hospital. I was the one who held her all night in the pediatric ward, soothing her to sleep and staying by her side. Back then, she clutched my collar and cried, “Daddy, don’t go,” over and over again through the night. Now, this was what she said to me. “Fine… I’ll go. “I’ll leave right now and stay far away from all of you. I don’t want this family anymore.” Chapter 2 “Dylan, what nonsense are you talking about? You’re a man with no skills, no ability. Without me, who’s going to feed you? “Don’t push your luck. Samantha letting you take care of her was already a blessing. And now you’re acting wronged?” Behind me, Kim’s furious voice rang out, sharp and unrestrained. I didn’t turn back. The moment I stepped out of the banquet hall, my phone buzzed in my pocket. [Was that a bit too much just now? [Hang in there a little longer. Three more days, and the process will be complete.] … When I got back to the Fosters’ villa, I started packing. Looking around the room I had lived in for eighteen years, I felt not even a trace of attachment. The closet was filled with Kim’s custom designer dresses, and the drawers were packed with her jewelry and accessories. As for things that belonged to me, there were barely any. Just as I was stuffing a few old clothes into my suitcase, Luke returned. Behind him were a drunk Kim and Samantha, her face cold and distant. “Dylan, since you’ve already agreed to leave, then go ahead and sign this.” Luke pulled out a divorce agreement and slapped it onto the coffee table, eager to stake his claim. The terms were harsh to the extreme. I would leave with nothing, except for an alimony of one hundred thousand dollars. Kim sat on the couch, rubbing her temples as she looked at the document, her face full of irritation. “Are you done making a scene? Dylan, apologize to Luke, and we’ll forget about this. “If you leave, who’s going to handle the household’s social obligations? Who’s going to take care of everything we eat, wear, and use? Luke is a man meant for big things. Don’t bother him with these trivial matters.” So it wasn’t that she couldn’t bear to lose me. She was just used to being taken care of, and changing that now felt troublesome. The moment she said to forget it, Luke’s expression shifted. He immediately sat beside the drunken Kim and poured her a glass of water. “Kim, I was just trying to scare him. He loves you so much that he’s been willing to serve us for eighteen years. Only by making him sign will he finally feel afraid. “Otherwise, if he keeps being this disobedient, won’t he end up climbing over your head one day? Men like him need to be taught a lesson. Only then will they behave and come crying, begging you not to kick them out.” Hearing this, Kim’s brows relaxed a little, though there was still some hesitation. Samantha, who had been leaning by the door scrolling through her phone, coldly added. “Mom, are you reluctant to let this loser go? “If you really like him that much, then Dad and I can leave right now. We’ll give this place to him. “What nonsense are you saying! Why would I be reluctant to let him go?” Provoked by her own daughter, Kim’s pride couldn’t take it. She let out a cold snort and tossed a pen at me. “Dylan, this is your own doing. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re trying to pull by running away from home to threaten me. “I’m telling you, not a chance! Sign it, then get out and reflect on yourself. When you’ve figured things out, then come back and beg me.” She thought this was just another step in controlling her husband. What she didn’t know was that I had been waiting for this signature for eighteen years. So many nights, I watched her flirt with other men and listened as she drunkenly called out someone else’s name. All of it was for this moment of freedom. Without the slightest hesitation, I picked up the pen and signed “Dylan Cooper” on the husband’s line. The strokes were clean, pressing deep into the paper. “Since it’s signed, then it’s official. “Kim, I hope you don’t regret this.” Chapter 3 With that, I pulled my suitcase and walked out without looking back, leaving behind the cage that had trapped me for eighteen years. Behind me, I could hear Luke’s smug laughter, followed by Kim’s dismissive snort. “Regret it? Without the Fosters, let’s see how many days you can even survive!” If anything, I was about to live a lot longer. I moved into an apartment in the city center that Grandpa had secretly left me before he passed. Sitting down, I let out a long breath. The truth was that I had tolerated Kim’s affairs all this time not because of love, but because of him. Back then, after my parents died, it was Grandpa Foster who pulled me out of the mud. He paid for my education. He gave me dignity. On his deathbed, he held my hand and told me his greatest wish was to see the family’s descendants grow into capable people. He said he knew Kim had been spoiled since childhood and couldn’t be relied on. If the Fosters were left in her hands, it would fall apart eventually. As long as I could raise a Foster child to adulthood, when they were eighteen and able to carry responsibility, the shares in Kim’s hands would become mine. So I endured Kim’s infidelity and Luke’s constant provocation, all for the sake of raising Samantha properly. Love had nothing to do with it. Now, the task was complete. Three more days, and it would be time to receive what was rightfully mine. With that thought, I had the most peaceful sleep I’d had in eighteen years. Meanwhile, back at the Foster villa, Kim woke up from her hangover at exactly seven in the morning, her head pounding. Out of habit, she called out with her eyes still closed, “Dylan, where’s my honey water? Why isn’t it here yet?” Silence filled the room. No one answered. At this hour before, I would have already prepared a full breakfast, ironed her work outfit, and been ready at her call. But today, there was nothing. Kim frowned and sat up, irritation rising. “Dylan! Are you deaf?” The bedroom door opened. However, it wasn’t Dylan who walked in, but Luke, still in his pajamas. “Kim, what are you yelling for? That guy’s already been kicked out.” Kim froze for a moment. Her fragmented memory from the hangover only left her with the vague impression that she had argued with Dylan. She had forgotten what had happened and what she had done. She just assumed Dylan was throwing a tantrum. Pressing her fingers to her temples, she said impatiently, “Then where’s the water? My head hurts.” “Oh, right. I’ll get it for you.” Luke hurried downstairs in a fluster. It took him quite a while before he came back with a glass of water. Kim took a sip, then slammed the glass heavily onto the table. “Why is it cold? I want warm honey water! Don’t you know I need honey water after drinking?” Luke spread his hands, looking innocent. “I… I didn’t know. Dylan always handled that before…” “Alright, alright, stop standing there. You’re annoying just to look at.” “In a couple of days, when Dylan comes back, I’ll have him make it for me.” Irritated, Kim got up and walked into the dressing room. But the moment she opened the wardrobe, she was dumbfounded. Chapter 4 Before, her suits and dresses had always been arranged by color and occasion. She only needed to reach out and pick one. But now, the closet was a complete mess. The deep blue custom silk blouse she planned to wear today was nowhere to be found. “Where’s my blouse?” Luke hurried over, stammering, “I thought it looked a bit dirty, so… I threw it in the washing machine…” Kim rushed into the laundry room, yanking out the shrunken designer piece worth tens of thousands. The veins at her temples throbbed. “Luke! This is wool and mulberry silk! It has to be dry-cleaned! “If you don’t know how to handle it, send it to the cleaners! Let the professionals deal with it. Why are you trying to show off?” At the breakfast table, the atmosphere was even more suffocating. The fried eggs Luke made were burned, and the warm milk was cold. Samantha sat there, poking at the blackened egg with her fork. “What is this? Is it even edible?” Her face was full of irritation, making Luke’s expression turn ugly. “Samantha, it’s my first time cooking…” “Cool, I don’t want to hear it.” “You can’t even make a simple meal. Other than conceiving me, what else can you even do?” She had grown up indulged in comfort, pampered endlessly by Kim, spoiled into a true young lady with a sharp temper. Luke couldn’t take those words. His face flushed red as he pointed at Samantha and snapped. “Samantha! I’m your father! Is that how you talk to me? After all these years of education, did it all go to waste? Is this what Dylan taught you?” “I’m leaving. I’m not eating.” Samantha rolled her eyes, grabbed her phone, and walked out. “Just looking at you two killed my appetite.” Kim’s stomach churned as she looked at the mess in front of her, listening to Luke’s complaints. For the first time, she suddenly missed me. I had always been quiet and meticulous, taking care of her perfectly. Before, she thought anyone could do it, as long as she paid them. Now she realized that without me, life simply didn’t function. “Shut up!” Kim grabbed her car keys and rushed out as if escaping. “What bad luck!” At the office, Kim realized she couldn’t find an important contract. Before, I had always organized these documents at home and sent them to her secretary for filing. Her secretary said nervously, “Ms. Foster, Mr. Cooper… your ex-husband didn’t hand over this part of the work.” Kim slammed her pen down in anger. There was an important business dinner that night, and family members were expected to attend. It was a perfect opportunity for the Fosters to present a harmonious family image and stabilize their stock price. Without a second thought, Kim picked up her phone and dialed my number. It rang twice before I answered. “Hello.” My voice was calm, without a ripple. Kim spoke as if it were only natural to command me. “Dylan, are you done throwing a tantrum? If you are, come back now. The house is a mess. “Luke doesn’t know any better, and you need to teach him. There’s a dinner tonight. Get changed, and I’ll come pick you up.” Her tone was certain, as if I were still waiting somewhere in the shadows for her attention. On the other end, I let out a soft chuckle. “Ms. Foster, did you forget something?” “Forget what?” Kim said impatiently. “We’re already divorced. You signed the agreement yourself.”