My wife, Seraphina, has been paralyzed for six long, agonizing years since our son, Leo, was born. To take care of her, I walked away from a high-flying career at a top tech company – a future many would kill for – to take on odd jobs, mostly unclogging drains. People would visibly recoil, holding their noses, treating us like we were some kind of… social pariahs. Dirty, smelly, an embarrassment. But my son, Leo? He’d just see another dollar earned, another small victory. “Dad,” he’d say, his voice so small, “even my dirty clothes look good if it means Mom gets better. All I want is for Mom to be healthy.” Seraphina always insisted that because we were poor, we shouldn’t be vain or try to keep up with others. She made Leo, a child of only six, always shrink away, feeling less than everyone else. But that day, when we went to unclog the drains at an opulent mansion, I saw her sitting in the living room, decked out in designer clothes, dripping luxury from head to toe. A man was practically glued to her side. Seraphina held a small boy on her lap, spoon-feeding him a slice of gourmet cake – the kind of cake Leo wouldn’t even dare to glance at, let alone dream of tasting. “Children need the best from an early age, so they don’t grow up insecure,” she cooed. “Leo’s just like his useless dad, dull and clumsy, always dirty and stinking. No one could ever like a kid like that.” “It’s a pity I can’t shake off that useless man. If only I could marry *you*, our company’s technical problems wouldn’t still be unsolved.” Leo silently hung his head, a single tear splashing onto the marble floor. All our efforts, all our sacrifices, were just a pathetic joke in her eyes. I pulled out my phone and accepted the job offer from the rival company to Seraphina’s family business.
“I only went abroad to study further so I could help you overcome those technical challenges, but who knew that good-for-nothing parasite would prey on your vulnerability?” “You were just using him for a bit of fun. Who would have thought he’d drug you and take advantage, even making you have his child? He’s absolutely shameless. You should punish him severely, teach him a lesson.” I finally saw the man’s face. It was Blake, Seraphina’s first love. He had actually cheated on her, ran off to another country with some other woman, and had a kid with her. He barely passed his classes in college; what did he know about tech? Yet Seraphina believed every word he said. Seraphina had been the campus queen back in our college days; countless guys secretly adored her. But after Blake left, she only ever smiled at me. Once we were together, I became the envy of every male student. I loved her, and I never pushed her, never crossed a single boundary. The turning point was our graduation night. When she came back from the party, she was… different. Unusually forward with me. We spent a wonderful night together. She even defied her wealthy family, choosing to be with a simple guy like me. And after giving birth to Leo, she became paralyzed and bedridden. The campus queen, once so vibrant, had fallen so far. She was tormented by pain day and night, constantly needing someone by her side. To better care for her, I quit my grueling tech job with its insane hours and started taking on all sorts of odd jobs. Besides unclogging drains, I’d make cardboard crafts, move heavy boxes, fix appliances… To pay for her treatments, I even sold the house my parents had painstakingly saved for their entire lives, the one meant for *my* wedding. Our family of three was crammed into a tiny 20-square-meter rental apartment. My hands, once accustomed only to tapping a keyboard, were now grimy and calloused every single day. Everyone lamented the tragic downfall of a coding prodigy, but I just thought that as long as she was by my side, that was enough. I never imagined that all my sacrifices would only earn me the label of “useless.” And even my son was looked down upon. I pulled out my phone, opened my long-forgotten email, and accepted the job offer from Jocelyn Tech, the rival company to Seraphina’s family business. The phone rang almost immediately. “Your early retirement was a great loss to the entire industry, Mr. Dean. We are deeply honored by your decision to join us.” “Our company headquarters are located overseas. In two days, Ms. Jocelyn herself will fly back to pick you and your son up.”
When I pushed open the mansion door, Seraphina was in the midst of declaring her feelings for Blake, cheered on by a chorus of cheers and playful taunts. “Seraphina, is this watch a multi-million dollar collectible? You’re really giving it to Blake?” Seraphina giggled. “Blake is a tech guru; a luxury watch like this belongs on a wrist like his. Should I give it to my deadbeat husband, the one who just unclogs drains?” There was a decorative screen between the living room and the entrance, so they assumed I wouldn’t notice, freely indulging in their mockery. Seraphina had even considerately ordered a custom-made, diamond-accented matching watch for Blake’s son, Caleb. “Our Caleb should never, ever feel second best to anyone, even as a child.” Leo quietly hid the pretend smartwatch he’d drawn on his wrist with a ballpoint pen. He must have been so confused. Why was *he* scolded for being vain just for wanting a ten-dollar toy smartwatch, while she could cradle another child and say that kids deserved the best? The laughter inside continued. “Seraphina, your wedding to Blake is in two days! How did you tell that good-for-nothing husband about the divorce?” “Let me guess… They mimicked her voice, all dramatic and tearful: ‘Darling, I’m nothing but a burden now, a cripple. I don’t want to hold you back, you’re the most precious person in my life. Let’s get a divorce.’” “Then he’d be on his knees, tearfully swearing eternal devotion, right up until his dying breath. Ha!” They found it all so amusing that even the nanny beside me couldn’t help but snicker. But I couldn’t crack a smile. Because Seraphina had *really* said those exact words. I had believed her, moved beyond words, and swore I’d never leave her, for this life or any other. I didn’t overturn Seraphina’s table right then. The owner of the plumbing service had been good to me; I couldn’t cause trouble for innocent people while on the job. After finishing the agreed-upon drain work, I took Leo and left. But the nanny haughtily stepped in my way. “My lady is so generous,” the nanny sneered, “She told me to *offer* this piece of cake to your son.” “A child from *his* background wouldn’t get to taste something like this in a lifetime. Go on, thank my lady and her little master!” The cake was a mess, cream smeared, with obvious bite marks from someone else. Seraphina actually wanted my son to eat someone else’s leftovers and then expected us to be grateful. I ignored the nanny and walked straight out of the mansion with Leo. “Dad, am I really so annoying? Even Mom doesn’t like me.” Leo’s voice was barely a whisper. It felt like a blunt knife had just plunged into my chest. I pulled him into my arms. “Nonsense, Leo! You are the most wonderful boy in the world. One person’s opinion doesn’t define who you are. It doesn’t make it true.” His voice was thick with tears. “But I love Mom so much. I want Mom to love me too.” I held Leo tightly, the last vestiges of love for Seraphina vanishing from my heart. Seraphina arrived home a step later than us. She sat panting in her wheelchair, clutching two cheap, artificially colored juice boxes. “Leo, Dad, you must be exhausted from work. I specifically went out to buy these for you. Leo, you’ve always wanted something sweet, haven’t you?” Seeing my sullen face, she put on a pouty, girlish charm. “Darling, I know you worry about me going out alone, but I just wanted to do something for our family too.” She gave gourmet cake to *another* woman’s son, but my son had to rely on her charity just to get a sugary juice box. “Ms. Seraphina,” I cut her off directly, “Don’t you think these words are incredibly fake?”
“You know?” Her face instantly darkened, and there was even a hint of accusation in her tone. I didn’t know what I had done to deserve this. I had sacrificed my future, my dignity, and my parents’ life savings for her. Leo was six years old and still wearing worn-out clothes others had discarded, only to be called sloppy and dirty by his own mother. I couldn’t live this life anymore. I pulled out the divorce papers she had given me earlier and signed my name. “Ms. Seraphina, let’s get a divorce.” I quickly packed our meager belongings and strode out with Leo in my arms. Seraphina stood frozen for a moment, then scurried after us in her wheelchair. There was panic in her eyes. “Dean, get back here! You’re just a plumber. Where else are you going to find a woman like me, with my connections, my status, if you leave?” “Leo has always wanted to go to First Academy, hasn’t he? You’ve spoiled him rotten. His grades are awful, and he’s so vain, so undisciplined, always sloppy and dirty. A child like that, without a mother with my reputation and influence, would never get into First Academy.” I covered Leo’s ears and got into the taxi waiting by the curb. The taxi’s exhaust fumes seemed to choke Seraphina, making her even more agitated. “Dean, there’s a limit to how childish you can be. I’m giving you a way out. Don’t push it, or that chance will be gone.” She thought I could never leave her, that I was just playing games out of anger. But she didn’t know that I simply didn’t love her anymore. Leo stretched out a small hand and wiped away a tear from my eye. “Leo will be good, Dad. I’ll study hard, and I’ll wash myself clean. Please, Mom and Dad, don’t argue.” My son thought if he just tried a little harder, his mother would love him again. He didn’t know that some hearts just can’t be warmed. Leo and I checked into a small, unassuming motel. Seraphina’s wedding was just days away, so I assumed she wouldn’t have time to bother us. But to my surprise, she showed up the very next day. I thought she had come to humiliate me again, but she said she wanted to take me to donate blood for Blake’s son, Caleb. I tried to kick her out, but a line of burly bodyguards appeared before me. “You’ve sold blood for me before, haven’t you? To pay for my treatments? So you know the drill. Your and Leo’s blood types match Caleb’s. He’s just a kid, it won’t be much. You won’t even feel it.” “If Caleb makes it, I’ll let you stay by my side. Even after I marry Blake, I’ll make time to visit you at your dingy apartment.” She ignored Leo’s cries and forcibly dragged us into her car. For Leo’s safety, I had no choice but to go with them. There are strict limits on how much blood a person can donate. But Seraphina, wanting to reassure Blake, had them hold me down and forcibly drew three massive tubes of blood. I passed out from blood loss. When I opened my eyes, Leo wasn’t there. I asked the nurses and learned that Leo was rushed to the ICU. He had been bouncing around, full of life, just a short while ago. How could he suddenly be in such a critical state? I confronted Seraphina, but she was annoyed. “It’s all your fault for spoiling him! A six-year-old child can’t possibly be anemic. He barely had any blood drawn and started faking it? Such a young kid, and already so manipulative.” “He’s bad at studying and vain, isn’t he? He just can’t stand me being good to Caleb. He probably thinks if Caleb dies, he’ll get my money? Dream on.” She was convinced Leo was faking, and no matter how the doctors explained, she refused to believe them. All she cared about, all she could see, was Blake’s son. My Leo was smart and sensible. How could he possibly be faking?
Leo barely ate any meat, always trying to save the best for her, for his mom. Of course he was anemic, but Seraphina was utterly blind to it. I anxiously waited outside his room. Thankfully, after the doctors’ best efforts, Leo was finally resuscitated. Just as I sighed in relief, Seraphina had people snatch Leo from my arms and forcibly draw another tube of blood. “Caleb has a congenital heart condition; we need to ensure a sufficient blood supply.” “Blake is a highly talented individual; his energy needs to be focused on important matters. I can’t let this triviality distract him.” Her obsession with Caleb was so complete, she was utterly blind to Leo’s lips growing even paler, practically translucent. A doctor couldn’t help but step forward to object. “Ms. Seraphina, Caleb doesn’t need this much blood. If you draw any more, Leo truly won’t make it.” Seraphina didn’t care about Leo’s life or death. Only when she heard that Caleb’s reserve blood supply was sufficient did she let Leo go. But I held Leo’s small, limp body, and no matter how I called out, he didn’t respond. He was still breathing, but he no longer had the strength to answer me. All the doctors in the hospital had been reassigned by Seraphina to stand guard outside Caleb’s room. I held Leo and tried to plead with Seraphina. But she just thought I was being petty, jealous. She had us thrown out. “I told you, even after I marry Blake, I’ll still come back to see you two. Don’t be so unreasonable.” Watching Leo’s breathing grow weaker and weaker, I was utterly despairing. I wanted to grab a scalpel and drag Seraphina and that cheater down with me. Thankfully, at the last moment, Jocelyn arrived. She was the CEO of the new company I was about to join. Jocelyn brought the best medical team, and they immediately began to resuscitate Leo. Leo was brought back, but his heart had completely turned cold towards Seraphina. “Dad, I never want to see Mom again.” “Okay.” Jocelyn helped me with the aftermath, and Leo and I took a late-night flight out of the country. Just before boarding, I received a message from Seraphina. “Caleb’s recovery was a success. Tell Leo to stop pretending to be sick. After my wedding today, I’ll come back to see you and Leo. I’ve prepared the big cake Leo always wanted, to appease his vanity.” … Seraphina kept staring at her phone screen before the wedding, but no reply came. Dean was just a useless plumber. Marrying her was the peak of his pathetic life. He loved her so much, there was no way he’d truly divorce her. Besides, for Leo to get into First Academy, he’d need a mother with influence. They were probably clinging to her like desperate parasites. Otherwise, why would Dean have drugged her back then, practically forcing her hand? Seraphina kept trying to convince herself, but deep down, a strange panic began to stir. “Ms. Seraphina, we found that the one who drugged you back then wasn’t Mr. Dean at all. It was Blake.” Her assistant hurried over, handing Seraphina a stack of documents. Seraphina shot to her feet, but her head spun. Before she could even react, a notification came from the hospital. “Patient Leo Dean, resuscitation failed. He has passed away.” She didn’t believe it. She frantically flipped open the kindergarten’s communication app/portal she had never bothered to check, only to find no trace of Leo.
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