She Never Chased Me, Until I Let Go

"Mr. West, are you absolutely sure about this?" Jasper from HR put down the resignation letter and looked at me. "It's such a shame. You've been with the company for so many years. Leaving so suddenly..."

I gave the excuse I had prepared: "Jasper, my wife has been building her career in Monte City for years. She's finally settled there and is bringing me and our son over for a family reunion."

The supervisor nodded, a sympathetic look on his face. "That makes sense. Being a single father is tough. I didn't know your wife was in Monte City. We all thought you were raising the child alone."

I let him think that.

I wasn't divorced yet, but I would be soon.

The door to the HR department closed softly behind me. As I was about to leave, I saw her in the hallway.

Dorain Sterling stood with her back to me, speaking with a few senior executives, a file held elegantly in her slender fingers. Her voice was low and clear, carrying that innate authority I could recognize even from a distance.

Six years, and she was still the woman I could spot in a crowd in an instant.

The irony was, this perfect woman was, legally, my wife, the mother of my son. In reality, she found even looking at me with genuine regard nauseating.

A brilliant piece of satire.

I used to be her most capable assistant, but that night that changed everything… I still don't like to think about it.

We married because of the child, but she chose to withdraw—from me, from motherhood, from what should have been a complete family.

She couldn't even bear to hear Aiden call her Mom.

This morning, when I dropped Aiden off at elementary school, he held my hand and asked three times, "Daddy, will Mom come to my graduation ceremony today?"

I knew she would refuse, but Aiden kept asking.

I didn't want to let him down.

"Dorain—"

Her face darkened the moment she heard my voice.

"Not the right place," her voice was low but icy.

Before I could say anything, Sean Wilder, her new assistant, appeared with a radiant smile.

He walked up to her naturally, reaching out to straighten her tie. "Ms. Sterling, I've finished the minutes from the last meeting. There are a few details I'd like to confirm with you."

"Good, let's talk in my office." Her voice softened, and she even leaned in slightly to hear him better.

That gentleness, she never gave that to me.

I watched them walk away side by side, their backs disappearing down the corridor.

My phone vibrated.

A voice message from Aiden.

"Daddy, will Mom come to my graduation ceremony today? I want to take a photo with her!"

My eyes stung.

I knew how she would reply, but I still sent the message.

"Aiden's elementary school graduation ceremony is this afternoon. Can you come? Today is also his birthday."

Through the glass wall of the lounge, I saw her check her phone.

After reading it, she didn't even reply, just put the phone away and continued talking to Sean.

I closed my eyes.

Of course. If she didn't even love me, how could she love our son?

Dorain, you'll be free soon.

Aiden, wearing his elementary school uniform, sat in the front row, constantly turning to look back.

"Daddy, is Mom here?"

I crouched down, trying to make my voice sound casual. "Mom is too busy with work; she can't get away."

A flash of disappointment crossed his face.

But soon, he forced a smile. "It's okay! Having Daddy here is enough!"

Only six years old, and he'd already learned to take care of my feelings.

I held him tightly, hating myself for lying.

After the ceremony, Aiden received the "Best Little Helper" award for the semester. He clutched the trophy, excitedly telling me, "Daddy! I want to show this to Mom! I want her to know I'm good too!"

My heart tightened. So, Aiden… he'd always wanted his mother's approval.

Just as I was about to take Aiden home, I got Dorain's reply.

One word. "Ok."

I stared at the screen in shock, almost unable to believe my eyes.

"Daddy? What's wrong?" Aiden looked up at me.

I crouched down, unable to contain my excitement. "Sweetheart, Mom said she'll come home to celebrate your birthday with you."

"Really?!" Aiden's eyes widened, the trophy almost slipping from his hand. "Mom is really going to spend my birthday with me?!"

This was the first time in six years that Dorain wanted to spend Aiden's birthday with him.

I threw myself into the preparations.

In the kitchen, I was bustling around: Dorain's favorite pan-seared steak with black pepper sauce, Aiden's beloved creamy mushroom pasta, and the strawberry birthday cake I had ordered weeks ago.

Aiden changed into his favorite little suit and even asked me to fix his hair.

Then, he stood by the door, holding his trophy, eagerly waiting.

We waited for a long, long time, until his small figure went from excitement to weariness, from anticipation to disappointment.

I made five calls. All went unanswered.

Sent three messages. All sank without a trace.

"Daddy…" Aiden's voice was almost inaudible. "Is Mom working overtime again?"

"It's okay, Daddy." Aiden looked up, his eyes red, but he tried to curve his lips into a smile. "Mom is very busy with work, I know. There will be other chances to celebrate my birthday with Mom."

I crouched down, my throat so tight I couldn't speak.

"Let's have the cake first!" He picked up a party hat from the sofa and obediently handed it to me. "Daddy, can you help me put it on?"

Just as I reached for the hat, a notification popped up on my phone.

A local entertainment news headline.

"Golden Bachelor Queen of Celen City's New Romance Exposed"