After the divorce, I threw myself entirely into my acting career. Aside from our scheduled weekly visitations with our son, I had zero contact with my ex-husband. Until one day, I accidentally stumbled upon Lucas’s social media account. He had become a parenting influencer with millions of followers. For three years, I watched him expertly change diapers and prepare formula. He transformed our babbling baby into a sweet, well-behaved angel. In his latest video, our son asked, "Why can't Mommy stay with me every day like you do?" Lucas was silent for a moment before answering seriously: "Because she is herself first, and your mother second." I rubbed the screen, quietly feeling the sudden flutter in my chest. We had a child. We got divorced. We had clearly reached the end of our story. Yet, I was just starting to fall for this man. 1 Lucas Sterling and I were a business marriage. Two years married, still strangers. I had just started making waves in Hollywood when my father cut off all my resources, effectively blacklisting me. Forced into a corner, I had to obey his arrangement and agree to the marriage. Lucas was the best choice. He had no interest in romance but needed an heir. We agreed to divorce once the child was born. To return to the set sooner, I entangled with him every night. Bodies burning and intertwined, hearts cold and distant. After countless nights, we would silently turn away from each other. Soon, I gave birth to a boy. Lucas named him Leo. He valued our son, and that was enough. After Leo turned one, we finalized the divorce. I don't know how Lucas explained it to the Sterling family, but they had no objections. His mother even looked at me with a hint of pity and guilt. She promised the Sterling family would do their best to support my career and always have my back. I accepted graciously, of course. To be fair, Lucas was dutiful as both a husband and a father. As for my dad, since Lucas initiated the divorce and the child solidified the alliance between our families, he couldn't control me anymore. He just stayed silent for a long time before saying calmly: "Elena, you're just as heartless as your mother." Heartless? My mother was once a top ballerina in New York, with a limitless future. But she was forced to give up her career to marry my father. The difference was, she had loved him for years, so it was a dream come true for her. My father came from old money, elite education, traditional values. Profit was his god. He wanted a wife to manage the home and raise children, not to show her face in public. After marrying him, my mother's vibrant soul withered day by day, leaving only the shell of a perfect trophy wife. After having me, I became her only emotional anchor. Until my father demanded a son to inherit the family business, and my mother asked blankly: "What about our daughter?" "She'll marry for the family, of course. It's the responsibility she bears for enjoying this wealth." He answered as if it were natural. "Isn't our marriage the same? You should have been prepared." In that moment, the last shred of expectation she had for this man shattered. She finally realized how ridiculous it was to give up her career for him. So she refused to let me follow in her footsteps. Ignoring everyone's opposition, she resolutely chose divorce. The day she left for Paris, five-year-old me cried and asked if she didn't want me anymore. She squatted down, looking at me with sadness and tenderness. "Elie, you will be the only child I ever have. I love only you, and I will support you unconditionally." "I'm not abandoning you. Mommy just wants to live for herself once. You'll understand when you grow up." She returned to the stage, and her dazzling brilliance made the world cheer. Several times, my father would freeze while pouring tea, watching her smile on TV. Even when the tea overflowed, he didn't notice. She taught me by example: never give up your career for anyone. I carried Leo for ten months; how could I not love him? Even when I suffered from insomnia postpartum, seeing his small sleeping form softened my heart completely. But he wasn't my whole life. I had my own dreams and pursuits. I made the same choice as my mother, and I fully understood her. But he would be my only child, and my motherly love would never be absent. This was also my agreement with Lucas. On the day of the divorce, his only request was that I set aside time every week to visit Leo at the estate, or video call if I absolutely couldn't make it. I agreed without hesitation. It was my duty as a mother. I just didn't expect him to value the child to this extent, even becoming a parenting influencer. In two years of marriage, we barely interacted except in bed. I wasn't interested in his private life. So when I accidentally scrolled onto his video, I was stunned for a long time. It turned out that in the year I was busy getting back in shape, taking acting classes, and networking, Lucas had taken on the nanny's job. He changed diapers, fed him, and put him to sleep, ensuring I had enough rest when I came home. I thought the nanny was just doing a good job, ignoring the dark circles under Lucas's eyes. 2 Since following Lucas's account with my burner, my gaze lingered on him longer and longer. Lucas not only took care of Leo's every need but also raised him well. Every time we met, the first thing Leo said when he jumped into my arms was, "Mommy, you worked hard." No resentment or distance due to my busy schedule, only understanding and respect. Even when reluctant to part, he would just say with red eyes that he would miss me every day. Behind this sensibility must be Lucas's countless explanations and guidance. He never brushed off Leo's imaginative emotions or questions but responded seriously, breaking down the world's rules for him. He guided him to read classics and learn history, so my three-year-old son understood many principles early on. The comments were often like this: [I lived half my life to understand what he knows at three. Parental education is crucial!] Some were curious: [Why is there no trace of the mom in the videos?] Lucas would reply: [In our family, mom works, and dad stays home. Mom brings home the bacon, I take care of the baby.] Many were charmed by him, and his mysterious wife was often envied: [Girl, busy all day, coming home to a husband warm in bed and an angel son, you must be smiling in your sleep!] [Congratulations! (Jealous glare)] [Natural birth isn't as fast as 'picking one up.' Isn't adoption advocated? I want this one, self-pickup available!] Although the facts weren't exactly like that. But I occasionally blushed at these comments. Seeing the word "husband material," the first image in my mind was Lucas frying steak in the kitchen wearing a black turtleneck cashmere sweater. Every time I went back to the estate, he would cook a big table of dishes Leo and I liked. Although surprised, I never asked, as he was always a thoughtful and decent person. Lucas was best at teaching by example. At the amusement park, he held wet wipes and a thermos in one hand and held a parasol for me with the other, asking our son to carry my bag. When I tried to refuse, he explained it was to let Leo learn by example and develop the habit of caring for and respecting women. As I marveled at his thoughtfulness countless times, our distance gradually closed unknowingly, as if we were a real family. And he silently occupied a corner of my heart. After shooting a sunglasses commercial, I sat in the nanny van watching the latest video on my tablet. In the video, Leo's eyes were red. "My deskmate's mom picks her up every day. Why can't my mom stay with me like you do?" Lucas was silent for a moment, then told him seriously: "Because she is herself first, and your mother second. She is an independent and free individual. Everyone has their own dreams. Just like your dream is to become a great entrepreneur, would you be happy if Mom and I didn't support you and asked you to give up?" Leo sniffled and shook his head. "No." "Similarly, you can't ask Mom to give up her dreams just to revolve around you. As her family, we should support her, right?" My son was quickly comforted and smiled again. He hugged Lucas affectionately. "What about you, Daddy? Don't you have a dream?" Lucas's voice was calm and low. "I want to be the tallest tree in the forest, watching you and Mom fly high and far like free eagles. When you are tired, you can see me at first glance and rest safely on my branches. I will shelter you from the wind and rain until you are full of energy to start the next journey." Every word landed clearly and powerfully in my ears. Beating heavily on my heart like a drum. I rubbed the screen, quietly feeling the sudden flutter in my chest. We had a child. We got divorced. We had clearly reached the end of our story. Yet, I was just starting to fall for this man. 3 Back at the hotel, clutching my phone, I hesitated for a long time before dialing. When the familiar voice sounded, my heart skipped a beat. Me, who was calm in front of any camera, was as flustered as a teenager in this private space. My voice was a bit hoarse. "...Is Leo asleep?" Lucas didn't reply immediately. I noticed it was already 10 PM, and Leo slept at 9:30 sharp. "Ah, sorry, I just saw the time. I was just missing him." The clumsy excuse made me scratch my hot face in embarrassment. Actually, I could see them tomorrow at the estate. But right now, I just really wanted to hear his voice, that's all. "I won't disturb you then, bye." He seemed to chuckle, his voice gentle. "See you tomorrow." Three simple words, somehow sounding romantic, like lovers looking forward to tomorrow's date. My face heated up, and I hung up in a panic. My calmed heartbeat threatened to accelerate again. I tossed and turned all night, my brain excited as if injected with caffeine. When the Sterling family driver picked me up the next day, I wore sunglasses. At the estate, Lucas's parents, who had been traveling abroad, were back. Seeing the faint circles under my eyes, his mom asked with concern: "Is filming too tiring lately? You must rest well." Lucas looked over. The moment our eyes met, I turned my head. I didn't really want him to see me in this state. "I just didn't sleep well last night. It's okay. I'll go play with Leo." I stood up and fled. His parents exchanged a look, standing on the same front. "Lucas, did you bully her again?" Lucas: "..." 4 I was building blocks with Leo in the playroom. He suddenly asked: "Mommy, did Daddy do something wrong?" I was startled. "Why do you say that?" "Because Daddy is fidgeting today, just like my deskmate when he got a zero and was afraid to go home." Me: "..." Leo sighed like an old man. "Although Daddy is sometimes immature and talks back to Grandpa, can you not scold him for my sake?" I was surprised. Before I could ask, Lucas's voice sounded at the door. "Leo Sterling, what bad things are you saying about me?" Leo immediately put on a good boy face. "No, Daddy, I'm saying good things! Ask Mommy!" Lucas's gaze moved to my face, and he coughed lightly. "Leo likes butter cookies lately. I'm going to bake some. Do you want to take some home?" I nodded instinctively. He said okay and turned to the kitchen. Leo napped soon after. I closed his door and went to the kitchen. Lucas wore a dark apron, tall and straight, sleeves rolled up revealing forearms with visible veins. He was focused on mixing butter and powdered sugar. I watched from the door for a long time, couldn't help but speak up. "Um, do you need help?" His back stiffened for a second, but he was calm when he turned around. "No need, go rest. It'll be done soon." I fought the awkwardness of not knowing where to put my hands and feet, trying to act natural. "I want to learn." He paused, a smile appearing in his eyes. "Okay, I'll teach you." But my chaotic heartbeat made my hands clumsy. He looked at my face, now comical with flour, and said helplessly: "Let me do it." I just wanted to flee, not noticing the egg I dropped on the floor. My foot slipped. Seeing the floor rushing at my face, I closed my eyes and grabbed Lucas instinctively. Unexpectedly, he hit the ground before me. I landed on him unharmed, except our lips were touching. Lucas's pale pupils shrank, his long lashes trembling non-stop. His ears turned red instantly. My first reaction was: We have a kid, how is he still so innocent? "Lucas, you—" His mom walked in on this scene and lost her voice. I scrambled up, waving my hands frantically. "No, we—" She said nothing, clutched her chest, and silently closed the kitchen door for us. Her steps were much faster than usual. I didn't dare look at Lucas, who was frozen like a statue. I mumbled "Sorry" and fled.
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