At the classroom door, I overheard Danny laughing with his classmates through the half-open entrance.

"Elise doesn't even have a dad. Have you ever seen his dad at school? When we fought, only his mom came to the hospital! He's just a fatherless kid."


Danny taunted while Elise sat silently nearby.

"Was that your dad who dropped you off yesterday? He's so handsome!"

A girl asked Danny enviously.


She meant Vince. Since Danny transferred to Elise's class, Vince had handled all his school matters.

"Yes! My dad's the best! He's super nice to my mom too. He loves her so much!"


Danny's voice swelled with pride.

Elise bit his lip hard, saying nothing.

I pushed the door open just as Sansa and Vince entered from the opposite side.

"Daddy!" Elise spotted Vince and rushed to him, tugging his sleeve with a defiant expression.

"Tell them whose daddy you really are!

The entire class turned to watch. Danny immediately tensed and ducked behind Sansa.

Sansa instantly adopted her victim pose, her voice soft and pleading.

"Vince... Ivan died so young, leaving Danny fatherless. Please... don't hurt him. You promised to take care of us."

"Think carefully before you speak, Vince."

I approached him, staring directly into his eyes.

Vince looked torn, glancing between Elise and Danny before taking a deep breath.

"Son, you've mistaken me for someone else."

He brushed Elise's hand away and avoided looking at him.

He turned to the watching classmates with a forced smile.

"Hello everyone. I am... Danny Johnson's father."

The classmates exchanged knowing looks.

"See? Every time he comes to school, it's for Danny! How could he be Elise's dad?"

"He doesn't have a dad! He's trying to steal Danny's!"

"Let's not play with him anymore! He's just a liar!"

The children's voices overlapped as Elise's face drained of color.

My heart shattered seeing my son's devastation.

*SLAP!*

I slapped Vince hard across the face. The classroom fell instantly silent.

That slap wasn't for me—it was for my son.

"What are you doing, you crazy woman!" Sansa rushed to touch Vince's reddening cheek.

"You're not human, Vince. You've crossed my final line."

"If I don't have that signed divorce agreement by tomorrow, expect a court summons!"

I grabbed my son's backpack and led him out of the school.