Vanished for Three Years, I Returned as a Dad

I hadn't gone far when Jenny reached out and caught my arm.

She looked at me coldly as she demanded, "Peter, you won't even take the money I gave you? What do you mean by that? Do you really see me as a stranger?"

I replied, "We've already broken up. It's better if we keep our distance, so there's no room for misunderstandings."

I thought of Ellie and her jealous streak.

Jenny cast a glance at Ronald, a look of sudden understanding crossing her face.

"The company is hosting a banquet for Ms. Olsen in three days. I'm planning to bring you along so you can broaden your horizons. You'd need to buy something decent to wear, though, so you don't embarrass—"

Before she could finish, I cut in. "That won't be necessary. Thank you."

My second refusal clearly angered Jenny. Her hand froze in midair with the check, and she clenched her jaw so hard her teeth clicked.

"Peter, you have quite an ego now. Figures. Poor and short-tempered. If you don't want to come, forget it. I'll take Ronald instead!"

Hearing that he'd attend the banquet, Ronald's eyes brightened at once. He hurried to reassure her. "Jen, I'll do my best. I won't embarrass you."

I didn't want to continue the argument. I turned and walked away, leaving her with a final remark. "I hope you are still this sure of yourself in three days."

I exited the arrivals hall at a brisk pace. The moment I breathed in fresh air, the sickness in my stomach finally began to subside.

Three years ago, my family arranged for me to travel abroad for a blind date. Under their pressure, I begged Jenny, the woman I had dated for seven years, to register our marriage at the city hall.

I figured that if we made it official, everything else would fall into place.

Jenny agreed.

I didn't expect that when I arrived at the city hall, Ronald, her childhood sweetheart, would be there with her.

Jenny told me, "Ronald's kid needs his legal status sorted out. I'm going to marry him first. Once I get the divorce decree in a month, I'll marry you immediately. It's just for the kid, so don't read into it."

Watching her take Ronald's arm and walk inside, I knew it was over.

That night, I boarded a flight and went abroad for the blind date. A month later, I married Ellie. A year after that, we had our first child. Recently, she became pregnant with our second.

Had it not been for accompanying Ellie to pay respects at her family's graves, I would never have come back, much less run into Jenny.

…

Three days later, I arrived at the banquet on my own, dressed neatly in casual clothes.

When Jenny spotted me, her eyes brightened, and a smug smile tugged at her lips.

"You claimed you weren't coming, but it seems your actions disagree. If you're hoping to win me back, you should at least make an effort to please me. At an occasion like this, you need to dress appropriately to match my status."

I paid no attention to her sudden self-absorption and moved to pass her on my way to my seat.

After only a few steps, Jenny caught my arm, anger flashing across her face. "Peter, I'm speaking to you. Are you listening? Our seats are over here. Where are you going?"

I shook her hand off and answered calmly, "This is your seat. Mine is over there."

Jenny followed my line of sight toward the head table, and her face darkened at once.

Ronald shot me a venomous look, pointing at my watch and shouting, "Peter! How did you even sneak in here? Are you here to stir up trouble? Y-you actually dared to wear that watch?"

The volume of his accusation immediately drew the eyes of the room.

"Isn't that the Eternal Devotion Ms. Olsen paid a fortune for her husband? This is Ms. Olsen's first public appearance with him. Is this guy deliberately trying to embarrass her?"

"He snuck in here? He's putting us in a tough spot in front of Ms. Olsen!"

"Ms. Sutton, is this your friend?"