My Husband Chose Adoptive Daughter, I Left

When I returned home from the hospital, I saw thirteen-year-old Lily wearing hot pants, straddling my husband Damien’s lap. Her arms were hooked around his neck, and she was whispering intimately into his ear.

And my husband—Damien, the ruthless businessman who cut down competitors without blinking—was indulging her completely. He was even reading a document in his hand, acting as if this was perfectly normal.

Watching this "father and daughter" acting way too close, I felt sick to my stomach.

I used to warn Damien every time I saw this. "Lily is thirteen, not three. You two shouldn't be this intimate."

Damien would always frown, looking at me like I was a monster. "Aria, how can you think like that? Lily is just insecure. Sarah died young, and I'm the only family she has left. Is it so strange that she wants to be close to me? You're the adult; you should be more understanding. Honestly, I wish she could be closer to you too."

But this time, I didn't rush over to pull her away in a misguided attempt to protect her, nor did I yell.

I walked past the sofa without a word, ignored them completely, and went straight to the bedroom.

Lily’s voice drifted from behind me, sickeningly sweet and provocative. "Daddy, is she mad at me? Was it wrong to ask you to help me with my homework?"

Damien’s voice followed, dismissive as usual. "She's just in a bad mood. I'll handle it. Don't worry about her; just focus on being happy. Let's continue."

I locked the bedroom door and called my lawyer.

"Mrs. Aria, have you made up your mind?"

"I have." I looked at my pale but determined face in the mirror. "Draft the divorce papers. Send them to the house tomorrow."

After hanging up, I pulled out a suitcase and started packing.

When I was almost done, I remembered the painting in the study—the last thing my mother left me before she died.

I left the suitcase by the door and went to the study. The moment I pushed the door open, my blood ran cold.

Lily was standing at the desk, smearing black paint all over the painting.

"What the hell are you doing?!"

I screamed and rushed over. Lily jumped, and a glob of black paint splattered onto the frame.

She turned around. Seeing it was me, she didn't look panicked at all. Instead, she smiled eerily.

"Aria." She blinked her big eyes innocently, the brush still in her hand. "You've been sad lately, so I wanted to give you a painting. Since this is your favorite, I thought I'd study it so I could paint you a better one."

Rage snapped my sanity. Before she could say another word, I rushed forward to grab the brush. "Stop it! That's my mother's legacy! You psycho!"

Slap!

The moment I grabbed her wrist, she yanked it away and slapped herself hard across the face.

Then she grabbed a utility knife from the desk and slashed the canvas, ripping it apart completely.

She threw herself to the ground, knocking over the easel. "Ah! Daddy! Help! Daddy!" Her shrill screams echoed through the villa.

I stood there, frozen, looking at the ruined painting amidst the mess, feeling like a piece of my heart had been gouged out.

The door burst open, and Damien rushed in. He saw Lily on the floor, covered in paint, a bright red handprint on her face, gasping for air between sobs.

"Aria! What the hell is going on here?" He looked at me.

Lily stumbled up and threw herself into his arms, shaking. She pointed at me, sobbing convulsively. "She... She said I messed up her study... She grabbed my brush and hit me... Daddy, I didn't mean to, I just wanted to make a painting to make her happy..."

Damien looked up sharply. "Aria, you've crossed the line! She's thirteen! How could you hit a child? Even if she made a mistake, you're supposed to teach her, not hit her. That's your job as a parent."

Looking at this man who couldn't tell right from wrong, I suddenly found it laughable.

"Look closely." I pointed at the shredded painting, my voice hoarse. "She destroyed my mother's keepsake."

"It's just a painting!" Damien roared. "Is a painting more important than a human being? Look at what you did to Lily! Her face is swollen!"

"I didn't hit her." I looked at him coldly.

"Shut up!" Damien's expression turned icy. "She's just a child. You think she hit herself? I let the pool incident slide, but this time you’ve gone too far!"

He stepped closer to me. "Aria, I really misjudged you. I thought you were kind and generous, but you're capable of hitting a child. Apologize to Lily. Now."

"Apologize?"

I repeated the word, looking at the man I had loved for three years.

I gave him my whole heart, and in return, I got my father in a vegetative state and my mother’s legacy destroyed.

Sarah saved your life; that was her choice. But that doesn't mean I have to sacrifice everything I cherish for you and her adopted daughter. Why should I pay the price for your gratitude?

"Damien, let's get a divorce." I didn't bother explaining anymore. I just said it calmly.