• A continuation of Makiru’s POV from previous chapter

Even after being reprimanded by his seniors at work, Makiru refused to admit his mistakes and desperately tried to argue back.

“But, thanks to Arisa, Mia was able to spend time with such adorable children. So, shouldn’t she have been happy?”

“…You should answer that yourself, Uwakishi. Shouldn’t you be happy that you get to take care of them? Don’t just push it onto someone else.”

The people around Makiru were already fully aware that this guy was hopeless.

“When it started out, Mia must’ve meant well. But then, people began to expect it from her and it became a thankless job. I can see why she ran away.”

“In fact, I’m even happy for her! I don’t think you should try to chase after her.”

“No, but without Mia, the housework and the kids… I feel sorry for them…”

“What are you talking about? Mia has her own life.”

“You keep saying that you feel sorry for them. Why don’t you do something to help, then?”

After being told off by everyone, Makiru had no choice but to give up.

Something is wrong, here! Why are they acting like I’m the one at fault? It’s Mia’s fault for disappearing and leaving her family behind!

Feeling annoyed, Makiru remembered the terrible state the house fell into after Mia left, and a fog shrouded his heart.

The house was in shambles, and even though the kids were crying, Arisa refused to do anything. When he called her out for it, she’d get all tearful, claiming she was sick. However, she seemed well enough to play games and hang out with friends without any problems?

He began to wonder if Arisa was just coming up with an excuse so she didn’t have to do anything. Yet, despite realizing that, he didn’t want to be the bad guy who forced a sick person to work.

When Mia was here, the house wasn’t as messy as it is now. She cooked and took care of the kids…

Before Mia disappeared, she always looked haggard, which disappointed Makiru. He thought she had let herself go. Unlike her, Arisa always looked so beautiful.

But now that Mia was gone, he began to wonder. Taking care of three children naturally meant that she didn’t have time to take care of herself. As if that wasn’t enough, she also had to take care of her parents…

Could it be that Mia was an amazing woman?

The last words Mia said before she disappeared flashed across his mind.

“I’ll never forgive you…”

The way Mia glared at him with her tearful face and vanished was like imparting a dying grudge.

Makiru thought that as a woman, it was only natural for her to do the housework and care for the children in silence. But in reality, she must’ve been struggling too, and there must’ve been many days when she wanted to run away.

Mia, you aren’t… dead, are you?

At first, he thought that Mia disappeared just to get back on them, and that she’d come back soon enough. Now that he considered she might be dead, he suddenly felt anxious.

…Mia had never complained before, but at that time, she looked at me with those eyes…

He couldn’t get over the accusatory and hurtful look she gave him.

Until now, he’d taken Mia for granted. Did he underestimate her, thinking, “No matter what I do, she’ll never leave me.”

Just when Makiru was beginning to regret his actions, Arisa was also lamenting how Mia’s disappearance lead her life to fall apart.

***

POV: Arisa

Ugh…! The house is so dirty, and the kids won’t stop crying! If only Big Sis were still here, then we wouldn’t be in this mess!

Until then, Arisa had it easy by using Mia as a scapegoat. Whenever she played the victim and feigned tears, everyone would be on her side—even Makiru, Mia’s fiancé. She was free of her responsibilities, was pampered by those around her, and lead a self-centered life.

All of this was only possible because of Mia. No, they came at her expense.

Yet, in spite of this, Arisa took advantage of the fact that Mia never went against her to do as she pleased. Mia only listened to Arisa’s whims because she used her children as a shield.

Arisa took advantage of Mia’s kindness and got carried away. In the end, she even stole Mia’s fiancé, she enjoyed her reaction. It gave her pleasure, making her feel like she was superior. Which such childish thinking, she cornered Mia who was only trying to help.

Makiru doesn’t seem to want to take care of the children either. What should I do? Is there someone I can my push work, housework, and childcare onto?

Of course, the concept of being a partner and sharing responsibilities didn’t exist in Arisa’s book. Just as she’d always done with Mia, Arisa used an app to find a man she could con. Just then, her phone rang. She answered the phone, clicking her tongue in annoyance at the name displayed.

“Hello?”

“Arisa, you finally answered! Hey, how are the kids doing?!”

The caller was Arisa’s ex-husband.

He had been deceived by Arisa, who had played the role of a demure, kind woman before they married. After marrying, Arisa neglected all the house chores, work, and childcare, doing nothing more than waste money. When he told her off, she cried and screamed, “I’m trying my best, too…! You’re the worst!” Afterward, she spread lies and rumors all around, completely making her husband out as the bad guy and cornering him.

Seeing Arisa crying so much made her ex-husband feel guilty, wondering if he was in the wrong. So, at first, he tried to get along with her. However, Arisa’s increasingly arrogant behavior wore him down mentally, and he begged for a divorce.

In order to get child support, Arisa set the condition, “I’ll divorce you if you give me the children. My sister will take care of them.” Her ex-husband, worn down from their marital life, accepted the condition. But, as time passed, he calmed down and became increasingly worried, wondering, “Are the children really okay with Arisa?” and, “Arisa’s sister must be struggling with all them,” So, he wanted to take the children.

“Hey, Arisa, I think I should raise the children after all. You don’t even love them, do you?”

“Huh? What are you talking about? How selfish.”

Well, it’d certainly be easier if I didn’t have to take care of them, but then who’ll take care of me once I’m old?

For Arisa, children were a source of income who’d become her caretaker in the future. Hence why she took the children, and even though they were her own, she had no love for them.

Arisa wanted to brush off her ex-husband’s words, but her three children started crying again, resuming her endless headache.

Oh, come on! It would’ve been best if Big Sis had looked after the kids! Where did she go, really? Why do I have to go through this…?

With Mia gone, Makiru and Arisa’s peaceful days fell apart.

A further downfall awaited the two of them in the future.

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