On Perfect‑Husband Challenge Day, He Abandoned Our Daughte

Chapter 2

The master-bedroom door opened quietly, with deliberate care.

Daniel stepped inside, his movements light. He carried the chill of the late-night air with him.

There was also a faint trace of a cool, woody fragrance on him.

It was Claire's signature perfume—a niche brand she had worn for years. I knew it all too well.

"You're still up?"

He walked over to the vanity and lowered his voice, his tone as gentle as ever.

"Just tucked Mia in."

I sat before the mirror, calmly running my fingers over the wooden comb in my hand.

He came to stand behind me, placing his hands on my shoulders and massaging them with familiar tenderness.

In the full-length mirror, he looked handsome and refined in his tailored suit, every inch the distinguished gentleman.

To everyone else, he was the perfect husband—the model of a gentleman.

No one knew that, only hours earlier, this soft-spoken man had promised another woman that he would spend the entire night with her.

"Why did you leave the gala so early?"

He dipped his head slightly, brushing his chin against the top of my hair. His voice carried its usual indulgent affection.

"Mia was tired, so we came home early."

I didn't pull away from him. My voice remained flat.

"Claire told me you looked upset when you left."

He sighed softly, sounding helpless and indulgent.

"Emma, are you still upset because I didn't come pick you up tonight?"

He moved around to face me and crouched before me, gently taking my hand. His gaze was open and affectionate, his performance flawless.

"You know Grace is easily frightened. She kept crying at the hospital and wouldn't let me leave. Claire couldn't manage on her own. I couldn't be in two places at once."

Still crouching in front of me, he explained himself with a serious expression.

"I came back as soon as I was done. Don't be mad, okay?"

I looked at his collar. The kiss mark behind his ear, along with the promise he had made to Claire during the challenge call, silently mocked his hypocrisy.

I looked at him in silence, feeling only disgust. Then I pulled my hand away and set the wooden comb on the vanity.

"I'm not mad."

A smile immediately appeared in his eyes. Clearly, he was pleased by my restraint and obedience.

"I knew it. My Emma is always so reasonable and gentle. You never make a fuss for no reason."

He took an elegant velvet jewelry box from the inside pocket of his suit jacket and held it out to me, his eyes full of ingratiating warmth.

"I picked this up while passing a luxury counter. See if you like it. It suits you perfectly."

I opened the box.

A smooth, lustrous pearl necklace lay quietly inside.

"You have such a gentle vibe. Pearls suit you best."

He stood and raised his hand, intending to put it on me.

I closed the box, stopping him.

"It's beautiful. I love it. It's too late tonight. I'll wear it tomorrow." I put the box in a drawer.

He paused, then smiled and nodded without giving it much thought.

"Okay. Get some rest."

He turned and went into the bathroom. Soon, the sound of running water filled the room.

I opened the drawer again, took out the pearl necklace, and tossed it into a storage basket at the very bottom.

Daniel had probably long forgotten that I was severely allergic to pearl powder.

On our wedding anniversary two years ago, he had given me a pair of pearl earrings.

I wore them for only a few hours before my earlobes became red, swollen, and inflamed. I even developed a fever.

Back then, he had been consumed with guilt. He held me as he apologized again and again, solemnly promising he would never let me wear pearl jewelry again.

But now, he couldn't even be bothered to put a little thought into pretending to care.

This necklace was probably something left after he had picked out a gift for Claire.

The sound of the shower suddenly stopped.

Daniel came out of the bathroom, toweling his wet hair. When he saw that I was still seated at the vanity, he looked slightly puzzled.

"Why aren't you asleep yet? What are you doing?"

"I'm making plans for the weekend. I want to take Mia out to relax." I rose slowly and walked toward the bed.

"This weekend won't work."

His hand stopped in the middle of drying his hair. His tone was casual but firm.

"I already promised to take Grace to Oceanview Aquarium. She's always wanted to see the dolphin show."

"Mia wants to go too," I reminded him.

"Mia has already been there twice. She can go another day."

He frowned slightly, and a flicker of impatience crossed his eyes.

"Grace is this old and has never been to Oceanview Aquarium. Emma, you can't be so selfish. Grace doesn't have a father. She's already pitiful enough. How can you not have even this much compassion?"

"Fine. Children without fathers are the most pitiful. You guys go."

I gave a faint, humorless smile, nodded calmly, and pulled back the covers to lie down.

"Mia has me."

He showered another man's child with favoritism while neglecting his own daughter.

And in the end, he even had the nerve to accuse me of being selfish.

He seemed surprised that I had agreed so readily. He froze for a few seconds, then his expression quickly softened.

"I knew you were the reasonable one."

He lifted the covers on the other side of the bed and lay down, reaching for my waist.

I turned onto my side, my back to him, refusing all contact.

"I'm tired. Let's get some sleep."

His hand hung in midair before he awkwardly withdrew it. He didn't say another word.

The bedroom fell silent. I lay awake, staring at the cold moonlight filtering through the gap in the curtains until dawn.