Chapter 5

"David," I said, standing up, "I want to ask you a few questions."

He stood too, frowning. "You're still doing this?"

"Listen first. Then decide whether I'm making trouble." I said.

I looked straight at him and asked, one word at a time. "First question. What day is Sunny's birthday?" He froze, ready to answer on instinct, but the words got stuck in his throat.

I looked at his face and answered for him."October seventeenth. You can't remember, because in seven years, you've never once given her a full birthday.

Last year you had a company dinner. The year before that you were on a business trip. The year before that, Emily called about Lily's fever, so you drove them to the hospital. Every single time Sunny blew out her candles, you were missing."

His expression shifted. "Second question. What class is Sunny in this year?" I asked.

"Her last year of preschool." That one he answered fast.

"Which preschool?" I continued. He froze again.

"Sunshine Bilingual Preschool, Senior Class Two, and her homeroom teacher is Ms. Lee. Lily goes to the same preschool, Middle Class One. You remember that part fine, because every Tuesday and Friday, you pick Lily up," I replied.

His Adam's apple bobbed, but he still said nothing. "Third question." I stepped closer and looked him in the eye. "What is Sunny allergic to?"

This time, he stayed quiet even longer. Then he said cautiously, "Pollen?"

I laughed. "Peanuts. Last year she accidentally ate peanut butter, broke out in hives, and I rushed her to the ER. You were at Emily's house building LEGO with Lily. I called you eight times. You didn't pick up once."

His face went completely white. "David," I said, "you don't even know what your own daughter is allergic to. What gives you the right to tell me Sunny can't grow up without a father?"

"You say Emily is your friend and Lily needs care. I never once stopped you from helping them. But when you're busy taking care of someone else's daughter, could you spare even a little attention for your own?"

"I..."

"You don't need to say anything." I cut him off. "Think it through. Divorce or keep going, I'm fine either way. But if we stay married, you don't get to have any more contact with Emily."

His expression changed instantly. Not guilt. Anger. "Sarah, what the hell is that supposed to mean? There's nothing going on between me and Emily, and you still insist on thinking that way?"

"Nothing going on?" I looked at him. "David, do you believe that if Emily called right now and said Lily missed you, you'd be out that door in a second?"

His chest rose and fell hard, like I'd hit the one spot he couldn't handle. Right then, his phone rang. He glanced down, and his expression changed immediately. I looked at him and suddenly smiled. "It's Emily, isn't it?"

He didn't answer, but his finger had already tapped the screen. I didn't know what the message said, but his brows drew together, and something complicated crossed his face, pity, worry, and maybe even a little guilt.

He looked up at me. "Emily says Lily had a nightmare last night and keeps crying for Uncle David. She wants me to go check on her."

I didn't answer. He waited a few seconds, and when I still said nothing, impatience crept into his voice. "Say something."

"What exactly do you want me to say?" I looked at him. "If I tell you not to go, are you actually going to listen?"