Chapter 001

"So how is it, Nathan? Did you get in?" asked a security guard who had known Nathan for a long time. He himself had told Nathan that the company he worked for was in need of new employees.

Nathan just shook his head, sluggishly. "Failed. I didn't get the job." The words felt like a blow to Nathan's heart. He'd been trying to get back on his feet for a year now, but the results were the same. Sometimes Nathan wondered what was wrong with him. It had been a year since Nathan had gotten another job after his cafe was hit by a fire.

In the midst of his disappointment, there was news that made Nathan surprised. Miranda, his wife, had become the owner of a skincare called QUEENA. There was even an inauguration ceremony with a ribbon cutting.

"So... Miranda, she-" Nathan really didn't know this. Never would he have guessed that Miranda made the inauguration without his knowledge.

"Ah, maybe... I was too busy with my own world. Busy looking for a job that ultimately fails again, fails again," Nathan muttered with a small smile on his face.

Nevertheless, Nathan was pleased with his wife's achievements. In the past, Nathan had sold the land where his café had been burned down for his wife's business capital.

Before going home, Nathan decided to buy a white rose as a small gift and a sign of congratulations for Miranda. A single flower was all Nathan could afford from his remaining savings.

Not long after, Nathan arrived at his house.

"Honey, congratulations," Nathan said as he handed Miranda the flower.

Miranda smiled wryly, took the flower, and threw it away so haughtily that she trampled the flower.

"Miranda, you-" Nathan tried to be patient with Miranda's suddenly annoying attitude.

"How is it, Nathan? Got the job?" asked Miranda as she girded her loins.

Before answering his wife's question, Nathan took a deep breath. "Not yet, darling. I haven't gotten a job yet," Nathan replied matter-of-factly.

"I knew it," Miranda whispered with a mocking smile.

"But you can rest easy, I'm not going to give up here. I'll definitely get a job soon," Nathan assured his wife.

"Nonsense!" snapped Miranda.

Shortly after that, there was the sound of footsteps coming from the door. Miranda immediately smiled when she saw the person coming.

"You've finally come, dear." Miranda immediately ran a little toward the person.

"Who is he? Why does Miranda call him darling?" Nathan asked his little heart.

It was clear in Nathan's eyes how proud Miranda was to hold the man, making Nathan even more curious. Nathan closed his eyes for a moment, trying to calm himself from the emotional turmoil that was creeping up. He then wiped his sweat with his sleeve, trying to calm himself down.

"Nathan, I want to introduce someone to you," Miranda said with a faint smile.

Nathan raised his eyebrows. "Who is he?" he asked.

Miranda answered calmly, "He's Kenzo, my boyfriend. And I want a divorce from you, Nathan."

At that statement, Nathan's smile immediately faded. He felt like he'd been struck by lightning in broad daylight. His heart felt like it was breaking into a million pieces, but he tried to keep his emotions in check. "Honey, what are you talking about? I still don't understand."

"I want a divorce from you, Nathan," Miranda explained, her gaze cold. "I've made my decision. In my opinion, this is the best decision."

Curious about the man who would become Miranda's future husband, Nathan attacked Kenzo without further ado.

"Damn you, you son of a bitch!" Nathan shouted, punching Kenzo hard in the face. "You think you can just steal my wife?"

Kenzo, who was surprised by Nathan's sudden attack, tried to fight back. "Hey, Nathan! Don't take the law into your own hands. I didn't steal someone's wife; Miranda herself decided to separate from you," Kenzo retorted as he dodged Nathan's punches.

The sound of yelling and banging could be heard in the living room. Nathan and Kenzo were engaged in a fierce fight, which made Miranda's parents, witnessing the fight, not stay silent. They immediately ran towards the two men to try to break it up and defend Kenzo.

Nathan, with a bloodshot face and burning eyes, raised his fists to beat Kenzo, who was already on the ground. "You coward!" Nathan shouted angrily. Kenzo tried to get up but was knocked down again by Nathan's unforgiving attack.

Miranda shouted loudly, "Stop, Nathan! That's enough!" Meanwhile, Miranda's mother and father were trying hard to pull Nathan away from Kenzo. But Nathan, burning with rage, was hard to contain.

"Why are you doing this, Nathan?" asked Miranda in a trembling voice. "Kenzo doesn't deserve this!"

Nathan stared intently at Miranda, then smiled mockingly at Kenzo, who had been battered by him.

"Never mind, Miranda," Kenzo whispered weakly. "I'm fine." However, Miranda knew that Kenzo was really hurting, both physically and emotionally.

"Stop, Nathan! Why did you go this far?" Miranda shouted as she pulled away Nathan's hand, which was about to hit Kenzo again. "I've decided to get a divorce. Kenzo is not the reason! Think about why I want a divorce from you, huh?" snapped Miranda.

"No, Miranda! I won't just let you go!" snapped Nathan with red eyes. "Especially to a guy like him!" Nathan pointed back at Kenzo.

Miranda's father, who couldn't bear to see his son treated like that, spoke up. "Nathan, you have to accept reality. Miranda doesn't love you anymore. You have to let it go," said Miranda's father.

Nathan was even angrier at Miranda's father's words, especially when Miranda was in a more successful position than he was. Miranda was successful with her business, while he himself was unemployed.

"You're all against me! I'm Miranda's husband, not Kenzo!" Nathan shouted. "Miranda, do you really want to just throw me away? Do I mean nothing to you anymore?"

Miranda looked at Nathan with a faint smile, "Nathan, we tried, but we can no longer be together. I'm sorry. I have to move on with my life, and you have to move on with yours," Miranda said hoarsely.

Nathan looked at Kenzo, who was standing next to Miranda, his face bruised from the blow. His heart sank as he heard Miranda's words and saw the happiness on Kenzo's face.

Nathan's mother-in-law interrupted Nathan's reverie with a sarcastic tone, "Naturally, Miranda prefers Kenzo, Nathan. Look at him, he's the owner of the restaurant, his future is clear. You, on the other hand, are just a parasite in this family, with no real job. All this time you've been living in this house, Nathan. You've never made Miranda happy in any material way."

Nathan smiled slightly at his mother-in-law's heart-piercing words, "Mom, isn't fate unpredictable? Maybe one day, God will show me the best way. And isn't happiness not only about material things?"

Not accepting Nathan's answer, his mother-in-law glared at him, "Don't evade fate, Nathan! Even with your own carelessness, your cafe caught fire. Never mind, don't talk too much. Just accept my son's decision!"

"Yes, Nathan. What Mom said is true. Kenzo is better able to support me, to make me happy. You didn't know, did you? He has managed to build a restaurant that is now crowded. You're just embarrassed," Miranda continued.

Nathan smiled, still trying to stay strong, "Miranda, I know I'm not as successful as Kenzo. But I'll definitely be more successful than him!" Nathan pointed sarcastically at Kenzo.

Miranda just laughed sarcastically, "What, didn't I hear you wrong, Nathan? You said you'd be more successful than Kenzo? How long have you been unemployed, Nathan? Do I have to wait until I'm old to be happy with you? I'm tired, Nathan. I want a better life, not like this!"

"Well, we'll see. Hopefully you'll be able to back up your words. But I don't think you will," said his mother-in-law.

In his heart, Nathan promised to prove to his mother-in-law and Miranda that he was not a useless burden.

"Okay, fine! I accept your decision, Miranda. And I will never forgive you! I'll prove that I can do better than this!" Nathan shouted as he glared sarcastically at Miranda, Kenzo, and his mother-in-law.

"Haha, I don't need your forgiveness, Nathan," Miranda said with a mocking smile.

"One of these days, you're going to have to kneel before me!" Nathan shouted.

"Oh my God! This trashy son-in-law is really overconfident," said Miranda's mother.

"That's it, that's it, we'll see if he ends up kneeling to be accepted back into the family," Miranda's father continued.

Miranda's decision to divorce him and choose Kenzo as her new husband was a turning point in her life. She was determined to get back on her feet and prove to them all that she deserved to be with a better man.

"You'll regret it!" Nathan whispered.