Better Without You

I was instantly alarmed when I saw Esther collapse on the ground, crying. I helped her up and glared coldly at Jessica. "Apologize."

Benjamin frowned tightly, his tone filled with displeasure. "Jocelyn, why are you being so harsh on a child?"

He scooped Jessica into his arms without hesitation. "I already told you last night. Jessica doesn't like hearing others call me 'Daddy.' She's just upset, not intentionally trying to push Esther."

I stood firm, refusing to back down. "Not intentional? You saw it yourself, didn't you? Benjamin, she just called Esther a bastard with her own mouth. Tell me, is Esther really a bastard?"

Despite hesitating, Benjamin softly persuaded Jessica without offering an apology. Meanwhile, Cynthia's eyes flickered before she smiled graciously and apologized. "Miss Stevens, I'm really sorry. Jessica grew up abroad and is a bit straightforward. She just speaks her mind, so please don't take it to heart."

The tiny girl in his arms looked even more arrogant after she said that. "I didn't say anything wrong! All the kids at school say it. Esther is a bastard! She stole my daddy!"

I clenched my fists and turned my icy gaze to Benjamin. He once said he had mysophobia, so Esther and I tolerated him and did our best to accommodate his ways. He used "working overtime" as an excuse to get entangled with another woman and I chose to turn a blind eye.

Still, I couldn't stand by while someone called my daughter a bastard. "Ben, I'll ask you one more time. Is Esther a bastard?"

A trace of irritation flashed across Benjamin's face, but he only sneered coldly. "You know very well how she became my daughter, don't you? Enough. Today is Jessica's day to visit. Let's not ruin the mood."

Cynthia and her daughter stood to the side, gloating. Benjamin held Jessica in his arms, his voice full of affection. "Daddy will buy you a new toy, okay? And a pretty Elsa dress, too."

"Okay!" Jessica beamed as Benjamin doted on her.

I felt my heart shiver as I watched his leaving figure. Finally, after weighing my words over and over, I said the sentence I had never dared to before. "Benjamin, let's get a divorce."

His footsteps halted. He turned back with a cold stare. "Jocelyn, do you think this is funny?"

"If you think this will threaten me, then fine. As you wish." After that, he walked away without looking back.

A flicker of satisfaction flashed in Cynthia's eyes, but she quickly masked it, stepping forward with an apologetic smile. "I'm really sorry. Benjamin and I are just friends. He's just a deeply affectionate person. He felt bad that I got divorced so early, leaving Jessica without a father, so he paid extra attention to us. Please don't take it the wrong way and don't let this upset you."

She even added my contact before she left, saying that she wanted to make up for Esther's damaged painting.

"Cynthia, come on." While still holding Jessica, Benjamin stood nearby and softly called to her.

"Coming!" Cynthia happily ran after him.

They hadn't gone far when I heard their conversation clearly. "Benjamin, seriously? Miss Stevens was just saying it out of anger. How could you just agree to a divorce so easily?"

Benjamin scoffed. "She used every trick in the book to get this marriage. Do you really think she'd be willing to let it go? She was just a little harsh on Jessica just now. This is just a small punishment for her. Give it some time and she'll be begging me to come back."

I couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. "Benjamin, people change. Jocelyn Stevens, who once threw herself into love without hesitation, is gone. Now, for the sake of my daughter, I will choose to walk away from you completely."