Chapter 4
Sean knows exactly what bags I like. He fills my wardrobe with the latest collections, paying attention to every little thing. When I mentioned I had a heart. condition, he started worrying even more. But even with all that, he still let another
woman bear his child.
“Michelle, Mom called. She wants us to go
to the house for dinner tomorrow,” Sean
said, his voice soft as he walked into the kitchen holding a bowl of soup.
I’d been out drinking the night before, and he knew it. So here he was, making me hangover soup with that concerned look he always gave me, the one he saved just for
- me.
When he handed me the bowl, his eyes were full of care. “We haven‘ t been to the
house in a while. Tomorrow, I’ll take you
with me. It’ll be a good chance to clear your head.”
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Chapter 4
I just stared at him, feeling the weight of everything crashing down on me.
‘I‘
m not feeling well tomorrow,” I said, my lates7oice flat, numb.
on to.
I had
Sean pressed a little more, asking if I was
sure, but when he saw I wasn‘ t budging, ying he just nodded and went on with his day.
Like nothing was wrong.
tillla
e wan
mom The next afternoon, something clicked in alk my head. I remembered I’d left a few Soup hings at the old house. And if I’m going hrough with this divorce, I might as well nitake everything with me. So, I called a taxi nd headed over, thinking I’d be in and but without a fuss.
oncer
e Sal
DOW
But when I walked in, I wasn’t prepared or what I saw–everyone was there, all miles, welcoming Veronica.
en ter
wlt felt like a punch to the gut. Sean, who‘ d chan never even mentioned her to the family,
had brought her to the old house and they
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Chapter 4
were all celebrating her pregnancy like it was the best news in the world.
Sean’s mom was holding Veronica‘ s hand like she was some sort of queen.
“This is great! Our family will finally have a grandchild!” she beamed.
“I can finally get what I wanted–a grandson to hold soon!” she added, her eyes sparkling with joy.
My sister–in–law, Tabitha, couldn’t hide her disgust. “She’s just my brother‘ s mistress. What’s the point of her having the child? It’s still an illegitimate one.”
Before anyone could respond, Sean‘ s mom whipped around, furious. “Don’t you dare say such things!”
“If it weren’t for your sister–in–law not being able to get pregnant, would I have to pray to the gods every damn day for a grandson?” she shouted.
“What’s wrong with an illegitimate child?”
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Chapter 4
she continued, voice rising with every toword. “He’s still part of our family!”
geAnd then, as if on cue, Sean’s mom turned drtoon me.
will It’s all because of Michelle,” she spat. “If she could‘ ve had a child, you wouldn’t have been stuck with her all these years.
anted
the al
.coul
Now look at her–heart disease, no children in sight!”
brothe
The words sliced through me, and I could
arely stop myself from flinching.
int of And now she can’t even have children, so egitimvhat’s the point? She‘ s infertile, Sean!”
ondean’s mother was relentless. “Hurry up rious nd divorce her. Veronica’s pregnant with
ur family‘ s child. Marry her so your son as a real name!”
ster-
it, Mom, Don’t say things like that!” Sean madnapped, his voice low and furious. “Stop! ven if Veronica has a kid, I’ll adopt it nd raise it as my own.”
illegit
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Chapter 4
she continued, voice rising with every word. “He’s still part of our family!”
And then, as if on cue, Sean’s mom turned
on me.
“It’s all because of Michelle,” she spat. “If she could’ve had a child, you wouldn’t have been stuck with her all these years. Now look at her–heart disease, no children in sight!”
The words sliced through me, and I could barely stop myself from flinching.
“And now she can’t even have children, so what’s the point? She‘ s infertile, Sean!”
Sean’s mother was relentless. “Hurry up and divorce her. Veronica‘ s pregnant with our family’s child. Marry her so your son
has a real name!”
“Mom, Don’t say things like that!” Sean snapped, his voice low and furious. “Stop! Even if Veronica has a kid, I’ll adopt it and raise it as my own.”
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Chapter 4
Sean’s mom just sneered at him. “You really have no backbone, huh? Letting one woman walk all over you.”
At that point, Tabitha couldn’t stay quiet any longer. She shot up, her face flushed with anger. “Mom, how can you be so ungrateful? If it weren‘ t for Michelle, I’d be dead right now. She saved my life!”
“You promised you’d treat her like your own daughter!” Tabitha‘ s voice was shaking. “It’s just that she can’t have kids. Why are you being so cruel…”
But before she could say more, Sean’s mom slapped her across the face.
Tabitha ran out, tears in her eyes, the sound of the door slamming echoing through the house.
For a moment, the room was silent. And I felt something strange–like there were still a few people here who remembered what I’d done for them. But it didn’t matter, because Sean let all this happen. He let
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Chapter 4
other women and other children into our lives without a second thought.
This house… it wasn‘ t a home anymore.
A few days later, I got a message from Grayson.
[I got it. How do you want to thank me?]
He sent a picture of the divorce agreement. The last page had Sean‘ s signature on it. I stared at the photo for a moment, my heart pounding.
“How did you do it?” I whispered, barely believing it.
I’d been racking my brain, trying to figure out how I could ever get Sean to sign the papers. I knew he’d never agree to it–not without a fight.
But here it was, in Grayson’s hands- Sean’s signature, clear as day. It was real.
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