The Rise Of A Stay-at-Home Dad

Belinda's voice, silken and alluring, brushed over the gleam of polished chrome. "How about this one? Someone of your distinguished caliber deserves nothing less than a top-tier ride." Nicholas, accustomed to such luxury, gave a subtle nod, accepting the flattery as his due. Hours later, however, the praise felt utterly hollow. Late that night, he lay curled in his cold bedroom, his wife Mina beside him. He spoke in a low voice, a subtle plea in his tone, almost a whisper of humility: "Darling, could I get a new electric scooter? I've had this one for five years." Mina didn't lift her head, focused on the bottles and jars on her dressing table, letting out a dismissive scoff: "You hardly ever go out, what do you need a new one for? Don't be so particular." His phone buzzed. Gillian's school calling. A parent-teacher conference. He'd forgotten. At the school, a teacher eyed him with a scrutinizing gaze. "Gillian's father is already here." Another teacher, Ms. Gao, added, "He's Gillian's *real* father. The gentleman who arrived earlier is Gillian's uncle." Nicholas's face instantly drained of color. He instinctively turned to leave, but Ms. Gao gently, yet firmly, blocked his path: "Today's meeting focuses on celebrating your daughter's essay, 'My Father.'" Nicholas stood there, rigid, watching Gillian approach the stage. Her young voice, clear and earnest, spoke of his endless patience, his warm companionship, and her wish for him never to leave. Every word, like a gentle knife, slowly carved out the image of the father he once prided himself on being. However, once the essay concluded, Gillian didn't walk towards him. Instead, she ran directly to "Uncle" Hank, who sat beside Mina, and hugged him tightly. Nicholas struggled to conjure a smile, but when Hank looked at him, his eyes holding a knowing, almost pitying expression, he asked nonchalantly: "Nicholas won't mind, will he, Nicholas?" In that instant, the smile utterly shattered, leaving behind only a forced facade, beneath which, a lifetime of accumulated regret silently wailed. Nicolas gave up a promising future to support his wife Mina's career, dedicating himself to managing the household. However, he endured her biting sarcasm and their daughter's disdain. It wasn't until he rejoined the famous Group and experienced a dramatic change in status that Mina came to recognize his true worth. By then, Nicolas had already decided to start a new life, leaving Mina to grapple with regret and se……