Chapter 2

Helen's face flushed with embarrassment, and she turned to Michael. "Michael, say something!"

Michael stepped forward, standing in front of Tess.

He was nearly a head taller than her. That height difference used to make her feel safe, but now it just felt oppressive.

"Tess," Michael said, his voice softening with a deliberately tired tone, "I know I let you down with the divorce. But the baby Sophie's carrying is innocent.

"Her landlord evicted her, and she can't find anywhere to stay right now. Please, just help me out. Let Sophie have the apartment for now. Once she gives birth, I'll—"

"Wait a minute," Tess interrupted, raising her hand. "What did you just say? Let her have the apartment? For now?

"Michael, be straight with me. Are you asking me to let you stay here for a while, or are you just taking the place for yourselves?"

Michael's eyes flickered. "Well... You should move out for now. We'll talk about it after Sophie has the baby."

"Move out?" Tess echoed. "This is my apartment. You want me to move out so you and your mistress can live here?"

"Mind your words!" Helen snapped. "Mistress? Sophie is Michael's childhood sweetheart. They've been engaged since they were kids. If you hadn't interfered, they would've been married long ago!"

Tess looked at Helen and realized arguing with her was like talking to a brick wall.

She turned to Michael. "I want to ask you something."

"What?" Michael replied.

"When did things start between you and Sophie?"

Michael stayed silent.

Sophie lowered her head, fidgeting with her shirt, not saying a word.

Helen cut in, "They've known each other since they were kids. What kind of question is that?"

"I'm asking when they started sleeping together," Tess said, her voice cold as ice. "Was it before or after our divorce?"

The hallway was so quiet that they could hear the buzz of the lightbulb.

Michael swallowed hard, but didn't say a word.

Tess watched his reaction, and any lingering doubt disappeared.

"I get it," she said, nodding. "So it started before the divorce, right?"

"It's not what you think—" Michael blurted out, sounding desperate.

"Oh really? Then what is it?" Tess snapped, her voice cutting through the air. "Michael, we've only been divorced for five months. Sophie says she's pregnant, and you claim the baby is yours.

"If you count backwards, she must've gotten pregnant three or four months ago. That means we'd barely been divorced two or three months, and you couldn't wait to knock her up.

"And you still have the guts to say there wasn't anything going on between you two before?"

Michael opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

Suddenly, Sophie broke down in tears as she leaned into Michael's arms. "Michael, I told you we shouldn't have come. I knew Tess wouldn't agree. Let's go. It's fine. I'll sleep on the street if I have to."

"Sophie, don't cry. It's not good for the baby," Michael said, frantically hugging her and patting her back.

Helen rushed over, her hand gently stroking Sophie's hair. "Don't cry, Sophie. I got you. I'll make sure you're taken care of."

Tess stood in the doorway, watching this scene, and suddenly felt like she was gonna throw up.

It was like watching a ridiculous soap opera.

"Enough," she said coldly. "Are you done acting?"

All three of them turned to look at her.

Tess straightened up, her eyes sweeping over all three of them.

She said, "First, this apartment is mine. The court said so, and nobody's taking it from me. If you don't accept it, go appeal. Don't try to play dirty tricks with me.

"Second, Sophie being pregnant has absolutely nothing to do with me. If she needs a place, she can go to Michael.

"If Michael doesn't have a house, he can ask his dad. If his dad mortgaged their place, that's the Lane family's mess, not mine."

"Third..." She paused, locking eyes with Michael. "If you come harassing me again, I'll call the police. If it happens three times, I'll file for a restraining order.

"And when we end up in court, trust me, it'll be embarrassing for you."

With that, she stepped back, her hand on the doorknob. "Now, get out of here, please."

"Tess!" Michael stepped forward, holding the door to keep her from closing it. "Are you really going to be this heartless? After everything we've been through—"

"After everything we've been through?" Tess paused.

She looked up at Michael, and for the first time, there was finally some emotion in her eyes. Not anger, but pure disappointment.

"Michael, do you even remember why we got divorced?" she asked.

Michael let go of the door, his hand falling away.

He remembered.