Vispera felt her left cheek burning slightly from the slap. Instinctively, she tried to explain, "Madam, it's not what you think..."

But Elena forcefully cut her off, "Vispera, don't forget your place! I paid a fortune to hire you, and this is how you teach my son?!" She shouted at Vispera while angrily grabbing Felix's computer monitor and smashing it to the ground. The sound of shattering glass was like a heavy hammer striking Felix's heart. He clutched his head with both hands, sobbing helplessly, "My computer..."

"Someone, come here!"

Before the chaos had even settled, hurried footsteps approached. Two tall and strong maids swiftly stepped forward. The leading maid firmly gripped Vispera's right shoulder, while the other tightly seized her arms, pulling them back forcefully. No matter how much Vispera struggled, she couldn't break free. Desperately, she tried to argue, "Madam, please listen to me, it's not—"

Elena didn't give her the chance to speak. "I saw everything, and you still dare to argue?" Her voice grew more furious, her teeth clenched as she continued, "Miss Vispera, if there's one thing I hate the most, it's people neglecting Felix's education! You're fired. Throw her out!"

Panic surged through Vispera. She kicked the ground, trying to resist, but her wrists were firmly held, leaving her no chance to escape.

The quarrel between the women and the sound of a child crying eventually caught Damien’s attention. As he entered the house, he heard Elena’s angry voice and saw the shattered fragments on the floor. His deep voice broke through the chaos, "What’s going on here?"

Seeing her father, Felix seemed to have found his last hope. He ran to Damien, wrapping his small hands around his father’s leg, seeking comfort. Damien looked down at his son, noticing the tear stains on his face and the redness around his nose. He gently stroked the back of Felix’s neck, soothing him before asking, "Felix, what happened?"

Elena suddenly felt a pang of guilt. Whether at social gatherings or in front of Damien, she had always played the role of a gentle and virtuous wife. How long had he been standing there? How much had he heard?

"Honey... why are you home so early today?" She quickly adjusted her tone, her lips trembling slightly, as if reverting to her usual composed and loving wife persona.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Damien ignored her question. His voice was low and icy as he asked again, "Why was Felix crying?"

Elena felt uneasy under his piercing gaze. She knew how much Damien cared for Felix. Her voice wavered as she replied, "It’s Vispera. I hired her at a high price to tutor Felix, but she let him play video games instead."

Vispera, still trembling, kept shaking her head in denial.

"I think she's completely unfit to be a tutor, so I decided to replace her. Felix might have just been a little scared," Elena added, her voice carrying a hint of grievance, as if she were the victim in this situation—as if she hadn't just given the harsh order to throw someone out.

Damien's gaze fell to the shattered computer monitor on the floor, and suddenly, he was lost in a memory...

A pair of soft, delicate hands covered Damien’s eyes. A playful, crisp voice whispered beside him, "Turn left, turn left, now turn right!"

Blinded by Elena’s hands, he had no choice but to rely on his sense of direction. Still, with Elena guiding him, he felt at ease.

"What is this about?" he chuckled, amused.

"It’s a surprise for your birthday, of course! You have to celebrate it properly!" Elena teased, bringing him to a stop. "Okay, we’re here! Now, keep your eyes closed—no peeking!"

Carefully, she placed a box on the table before him, stepping back with excitement and nervous anticipation. "Alright, open your eyes and see for yourself!"

Damien slowly opened his eyes. Before him was a brand-new computer. He blinked, surprised and touched.

"Do you like it?" Elena bit her lip, watching him anxiously. "You’re studying computer science in college, and your old one was way too outdated! Whether it’s for studying or relaxing with some games, you deserve something better. You’re always so stressed—you should have a way to unwind!"

Damien looked up at her eager expression, his heart filled with warmth. His eyes softened with affection. "I love it. Thank you." He pulled Elena into a gentle embrace, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. She smiled brightly, happiness radiating from her like the sun. The entire room seemed to be wrapped in the sweetness of that moment.

Damien snapped back to reality. The nostalgia softened his tone as he spoke again.

"Elena, you used to let me play games too. Why won’t you let Felix play now?"

Elena’s smile was stiff, a trace of unease flickering in her eyes. "I... Damien, I’m just worried that Felix is too young. He doesn’t have enough self-control. If he gets addicted to gaming, it could ruin his studies. I only want what’s best for our son."

"Madam, you’ve misunderstood me," Vispera spoke up at just the right moment. "I only encouraged Felix to observe the colors and structures in video games to help him with his artwork. I never intended for him to get distracted or lose focus on his studies."

Elena immediately forced a sweet smile, her expression shifting as she clung to her fabricated misunderstanding. "Oh... so I was mistaken, Vispera. My apologies."

But Damien, watching his wife closely, suddenly felt that something about her was unfamiliar—as if the woman before him was no longer the Elena he once knew.