"Easton, I don’t want to go through pregnancy. I don’t want to watch you suffer either. Isn’t it better if it’s just the two of us, leaning on each other through life? My love for you will never change."
I nodded and gave her one last condition. “If one day you change your mind about children, then we’ll have one together.”
Adeline agreed.
During our fifth year of marriage, my mother-in-law suddenly stopped pressuring me to take fertility medicine, and my father-in-law no longer looked at me with resentment.
They handed over the company and went abroad to enjoy retirement.
From then on, Adeline would occasionally fly overseas to visit them.
I thought they had finally come to terms with our choice.
But in truth—they already had a grandson. They already had an heir.
However, it seemed each of her trips overseas was to reunite with her other family.
I opened my mouth, but my voice came out hoarse and faint.
“Adeline, can you really separate impulsiveness from love? Do you think this is fair to me?”
Seeing the pain in my eyes, her expression softened slightly.
“Easton, I know I wronged you. I just didn’t want you to suffer. I didn’t want anything or anyone to disturb our peace.”
“Jeremy was just an accident—he fulfilled my parents’ wish. And now the Jenkins Group has an heir. If you’re willing, you can put him under your name. He’ll be your son—”
I let out a sarcastic laugh.
“So thoughtful of you. You didn’t want me to suffer, so you found someone else to have a child for me. Should I be grateful to you for that? After all, I can’t have children, right?”
Adeline fell silent, her face full of embarrassment. She didn’t try to argue.
After a long pause, Jeremy finally stepped forward and spoke. “Uncle Easton, no need for thanks. Just treat my dad better from now on.”
“He raised me with great difficulty. Now it’s time for you to step aside.”
He looked at me with smug satisfaction, and a chill ran through me.
“So what you’re saying is—I took your father’s place? I stole what should’ve been his?” I asked in disbelief.
Jeremy stared back coldly. “You never gave the Jenkins family an heir. You should’ve been cast out long ago. It’s only because Mom has a soft heart, and Dad didn’t hold it against you, that you got to keep calling yourself the Jenkins family’s son-in-law.”
“They were being generous. But I can’t just stand by and watch. The position of Jenkins family’s son-in-law rightfully belongs to my father. It’s my duty as a son to reclaim it,” he added and gave me a mocking glance.
“If you’re smart, I don’t mind supporting you. Just remember your place. The Jenkins family doesn’t keep freeloaders. Run errands for my dad—drive him around, pour his drinks, and massage his legs. That’s enough.”
I stared coldly at Jeremy.
So this was the “good son” my wife had raised for me.
She wanted me to serve her paramour like a servant.
Fury surged through me. I picked up the folder in my hand and hurled it straight at Jeremy’s head.
“You arrogant little brat!”
With a yelp, he clutched his head and crouched down.
Everyone panicked and rushed to hold me back.
“President Johnson, don’t stoop to a kid’s level!”
“He’s just young and doesn’t know better!”
Adeline quickly ran to cradle Jeremy, anxiously examining his face.
The metal corner of the folder had scratched his cheek, and a thin line of blood snaked down.
She immediately turned on me with rage in her eyes.
“Easton, how could you be so cruel? No wonder you never had children—you’ve got no compassion!”
“Jonah never once laid a hand on Jeremy. And you? You strike him like this? Do you think you even compare to a fraction of his kindness or tolerance?”
The words flew out of her mouth before she could stop herself. When she realized what she said, she froze. Her lips parted, and her tone softened. “Easton, I didn’t mean it that way. Please... just look at yourself—”
I raised a hand and cut her off. “Adeline. Let’s divorce.”
Without another word, I turned and walked out of the conference room.
I spent the next week away on business trips. When I returned, the paparazzi handed me a thick stack of photos and videos.
A wave of helplessness washed over me.
