Chapter 3
Jonathan had just gotten back.
Jessica was practically bursting with excitement as she showed him the babies, barely able to contain herself.
"Look at you, a dad now," she teased, grinning from ear to ear.
But Jonathan just gave me a deep, unreadable look, then leaned in and whispered a warning in my ear.
"April, don't think having these two babies means you belong here," he said.
I just smiled calmly, "I never thought that, Jon. You're being paranoid."
He looked genuinely surprised for a second, staring straight at me.
He was searching my face, hoping to catch even a hint of weakness or hurt.
After a long silence, he finally muttered, not hiding his irritation, "Good. Keep it that way."
"I'm busy most of the time. If there are any problems with the kids..." he started.
I cut him off, my voice cold, "I understand. I won't trouble you."
He stared me down, his annoyance practically written all over his face.
I turned away, catching Jessica beaming from the couch.
If my family were still around, there'd be more than one smile lighting up this room.
My heart twisted with longing.
Maybe I'd still be just a carefree young woman.
Jessica had a whole set of jewelry made for me and the kids.
I stashed the heart-shaped necklace in a hidden cabinet, and put the rest in a bank safety deposit box.
After that, I set up a meeting with Herman.
I gave him Jonathan's contact info.
"I'm not asking for half of everything, just what's fair," I said.
He asked, "What about custody of the children?"
"Let them stay with their dad," I replied.
It was better for them to have the Carter family looking after them than to wander the world with me.
I'd already made up my mind. I was going to head out west with my former professor, Greg Tucker, to restore ancient murals.
Greg used to say, "You're the most gifted student I've ever taught. These past few years have been such a waste of your gift."
When I got home that evening, I found Jonathan drunk.
His eyes were red and glassy, and I had no idea why.
He shot me a look full of blame and something broken. "You leave you, you're nothing."
"Stay here. I'll take care of you. And those divorce papers? Not happening," he added.
He didn't realize I was actually on a call at that moment.
On the other end, Jessica gasped in surprise and hung up immediately.
Jonathan was called back to Carter Manor late that night.
Since their parents had passed away early, Jessica called all the shots when it came to Jonathan's inheritance.
Whatever Jessica decided, Jonathan just had to go along with it.
The next day, Jonathan came home.
I kept wondering what they'd talked about, dying to know what went down.
Then Jonathan started talking nonstop.
"Honey, let me peel you an apple," he said.
"Honey, put on your hat. Make sure you stay warm," he added.
Jonathan suddenly started acting all sweet, and it just made me even more uneasy.
My chest was aching from the milk, so I lifted my shirt to ease the pain.
Before I could react, Jonathan barged right in.
He saw everything—how motherhood had changed my body, every curve and flaw laid bare.
The look of disgust on his face was impossible to miss, and I knew exactly what he was thinking.
Jonathan said coldly, "Just hurry up and feed her. The kid's hungry."
With that, he closed the door and left without looking back.
I handed the bottle to the nanny, and as I turned around, Jonathan's phone kept buzzing nonstop.
I don't even know why, but I unlocked it.
The gallery was packed with steamy pics sent by some flight attendant.
I kept swiping up.