Leaving Turned My Scumbag Ex Into a Wreck

Three months after I give birth, Nicholas Faulkner finally makes his choice between his mistress and me. He agrees to marry me.

Everyone thinks I am hopelessly in love with him and would never give up the chance to secure my position as his wife with our child.

But I refuse, give up my son, and leave on my own.

Nicholas doesn't take it seriously and says nonchalantly to his friends, "She's just throwing a tantrum. She even poked holes in condoms just so she would end up having my child to make me marry her. How could she possibly let go so easily?"

No one expects that I would be gone for five whole years.

When we meet again, I am accompanying my husband to a birthday banquet for an elder.

A little boy blocks my way.

He hugs me and turns to shout behind him, "Dad, I found Mom! You don't have to hold Mom's photo and cry every night anymore!"

My heart clenches as I look up and meet Nicholas' reddened eyes.

Olivia's POV

Nicholas Faulkner came home just as I had finally put our son to sleep.

He took Yves Faulkner from my arms, and for a moment, there was something almost tender in his expression. But I couldn't have expected what he was about to say.

"I'm going on a business trip to Leekspring this afternoon for a week. When I get back, we'll go get our marriage certificate."

I froze. For a moment, I thought I must have misheard.

After all, just when I had deliberately gotten pregnant, Nicholas had exploded in rage.

"Olivia Thompson, how dare you plan this behind my back? You're not thinking that just because you're carrying my child, you can control me, are you? I'll never marry you!"

Now that he suddenly said he would marry me, I was shocked.

When he saw me standing there in disbelief, a mocking smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"Are you surprised to hear I'm willing to marry you? Yves is my son. I have a responsibility toward him. He cannot grow up as an illegitimate child who's mocked by everyone. As for you… The best I can offer is the position as my wife."

Over the past year, he had said the harshest things to me.

He didn't know I had long stopped expecting anything from him. Tomorrow, I would leave.

I really wanted to leave. It was only because of Yves that I had dragged my feet for so long.

Just as I was about to tell him I was leaving, his phone rang.

It was a personalized ringtone that was only reserved for Amelia Lane's calls.

As he answered, his voice softened. "Don't rush. Stay home and wait for me. I'll pick you up, and we'll head to the airport together. When we land, we'll go shopping. I'll buy you whatever you want."

I swallowed the words that had been on the tip of my tongue. There