The Ugly Dad My Daughter Wants Replaced

“Stop right there.” Olivia’s voice turned sharp. “When did you become so unreasonable?”

“What’s so wrong with me saying a few words to you?”

I stopped and stared at her. “Do you know what day it is today?”

“No day justifies your nonsense.”

Nonsense?

My heart sank to its depths, bitterness welling up. I couldn’t hold my words back any longer.

“It’s our tenth wedding anniversary. I told you in advance I wanted the three of us to have dinner together tonight. I cooked a full meal, even my parents made their own food just so we could celebrate. And yet you invited Marcus over.”

“All because of that?” Olivia frowned. “Marcus said he liked your BBQ ribs. Isn’t that a compliment?”

“What the hell does his opinion matter to me?”

Maybe it was because I had held my temper too long, but my sudden roar startled her. She froze, unable to react.

“You really think you earned everything you have now?” My plan had been to divorce quietly, but the more I spoke, the hotter my fury burned.

I glared coldly at Olivia. “If not for me, you and Lily would have burned to death in that fire. If not for me, your company wouldn’t have made it this far. My patience and tolerance don’t give you the right to walk all over me.”

Olivia’s expression faltered, her tone softening. “Just sit down and eat, okay?”

“I said I’ll see you at the County Court tomorrow.” I turned to leave.

“Brother-in-law, it’s my fault.” Marcus hurried over and grabbed my arm. “Don’t go. If someone should leave, it’s me.”

“Let go.”

I shook him off coldly.

Marcus let himself fall, clutching his hand as if in pain.

Olivia rushed over, eyes full of concern. “Are you alright?”

“It’s just my finger. Nothing serious. Don’t blame him—it was my fault for being clumsy.”

The sight froze my heart.

Back in that fire, with ninety percent of my body burned, I never heard a single “Are you okay?” from Olivia. I never saw that look of concern in her eyes.

Yet now, Marcus deliberately staged a fall, and she looked at him with such care. So she could care—just not about me.

Realizing Olivia preferred this cowardly manipulator over me made me sick. I had actually lost to a man like him.

I shot them a cold glance and walked away.

“Stop.” Olivia’s voice lashed out. “You hurt Marcus and now you think you can just leave?”

“Are you blind?” I snapped back. “Didn’t you see him acting?”

“Marcus isn’t that kind of man. He values his hands more than anything—those hands have produced countless brilliant designs for the company. Only someone with a filthy heart sees filth everywhere.”

Her eyes brimmed with disgust. “Apologize to Marcus.”

“Ugly freak, apologize to Uncle Marcus!” Lily snarled, gripping a fruit knife, staring at me as if I were her worst enemy.

An ungrateful little wolf. I had raised her all these years, but I didn’t want this family anymore—not even my daughter.

Every word with them made me sick. I turned to leave.

I had barely taken two steps when pain shot through my leg. I looked back—Lily’s knife was dripping blood. I glanced down and saw crimson flowing down my leg.

“That’s what you get for not apologizing.” Lily brandished the bloody knife, eyes blazing. “Hurt Uncle Marcus, and I’ll kill you!”

That blade didn’t pierce just my leg. It pierced my heart.

Silently, I turned again, limping away. The pain grew worse. I had to get to a hospital.