The moment the paternity test results landed in my hands, the anger simmering inside me instantly subsided.
No surprises here-my son's biological father was indeed my wife's "the one that got away, " not me.
Seeing the outcome, I felt eerily calm, though my chest ached with pain.
I pulled out the divorce agreement. After signing my name countless times over more than two decades, this time, the pen felt incredibly heavy.
Yet, despite the difficulty, I signed my name.
From this moment on, no one would torture me anymore; the weight on my chest was lifted, allowing me to breathe.
Before departing, I took out my phone and left a message under Li Ran's family portrait on social media.
"Wishing you three happiness forever. I'm stepping aside."
Then, I blocked Li Ran on WeChat.
Just as I was about to board my flight, Li Ran's call came through.
I intended to refuse, but my hand instinctively answered.
Her sharp voice pierced through, "Zhang Ze, I've already told you the truth. Why are you still causing unnecessary drama? Does it really matter if he's biologically yours?"
"You always said you'd do anything for me because you loved me. You always doted on the child. Why do these things matter?"
Li Ran continued to berate me for not loving her enough.
I replied with a cold laugh, "It doesn't matter anymore. Now that you're no longer my wife, whether he's my biological child is naturally irrelevant."
After that, I blocked her number, but soon an unknown number called.
Upon answering, I heard Li Ran's heart-wrenching curses.
I calmly shut off my phone, looking at the wedding ring on my finger, and suddenly felt like laughing.
Li Ran.
The woman I loved for ten years, to the point of losing myself.
The woman I held close to my heart.
For ten years, I loved her hopelessly devoted.
I was like a blindly loyal fool, blindly in love.
Even when she was indifferent, even when traces of her "the one that got away" lingered in her heart, I didn't mind.
I believed that if I loved her enough, I could heal her wounds.
As long as they were my family...
But reality was cruel. No matter how deeply her "the one that got away" hurt her, she would forgive him without hesitation.
My beloved son wasn't even mine.
Li Ran and I were high school classmates.
She was beautiful and smart, standing out in any crowd.
I was captivated by her, silently following her, watching her win awards, watching her dance gracefully like a butterfly on stage, and watching her passionate love with her "the one that got away, " Li Yue.
They were a perfect match; everyone admired them as a golden couple.
I had no choice but to bury my feelings deep within.
To be closer to Li Ran, I chose a university near hers.
On the day I received my acceptance letter, I saw Li Ran and Li Yue arguing. They fought fiercely, leaving Li Ran alone in the rain, crying.
Seeing her heartbroken, I felt a pang in my chest and went to her with an umbrella.
Li Ran looked at me, surprise flickering in her eyes.
Then she hugged me, and the next moment, her soft lips pressed against mine.
In that instant, my suppressed love burst forth, blooming like wildflowers in my heart.
I embraced her and deepened the kiss.
Li Ran and I fell in love.
Throughout college, we were the picture-perfect couple. Whatever Li Ran wanted to do, I supported her.
I never lost my temper with her, even when she angrily called me names.
I knew she couldn't forget Li Yue, but her thoughts never bothered me.
As long as I was good enough, Li Ran wouldn't leave me.
In our senior year, Li Ran went abroad to study. It wasn't long before she called me in tears, saying she missed me.
I was about to receive a promotion, but her cries made me drop everything.
I flew to her side that night. Li Ran hugged me, saying, "I didn't expect you to come. I really missed you. I was about to return to find you."
Her lips impatiently sought mine.
That night, Li Ran and I were intimate.
Holding her, I solemnly promised to treat her well.
Soon after, Li Ran was pregnant.
I was thrilled and couldn't wait to propose. During the proposal, Li Ran's face was tinged with bitterness, which worried me... But she agreed.
After our son was born, Li Ran said she didn't want more children. So I went for a vasectomy.
But now I realize she simply didn't want a child with me.
I accepted that Li Ran had been with Li Yue, but I couldn't accept her being with Li Yue after we were together.
I felt she was defiled.
I felt my love was defiled.
Gripping my hair tightly, I cried out in anguish.