Chapter 4

Joseph looked down at the thick layer of parsley floating on the soup and seemed at a loss.

Just then, Olivia walked in, holding Ben's hand. "Sorry about that, Emma. Don't blame Joseph. I bought the porridge," she said.

She was carrying a gift, wrapped up all fancy.

Ben shot me a weird, cheeky grin.

Joseph quickly took the gift from Olivia, smiling. "Ben heard you were sick and picked out something just for you. Come on, open it up."

While I hesitated, Joseph had already unwrapped the package.

When I saw the familiar photo frame, my heart raced.

Then I saw my parents' portraits. They were smeared with blue and purple paint, defaced so badly their faces were unrecognizable.

A bitter, metallic taste flooded my throat, and I suddenly coughed up blood.

I glared at Ben. "What did you do?"

Joseph instinctively pulled Ben behind him, shielding him from me.

Ben immediately started wailing.

Joseph brushed it off. "Boys will be boys. It's just a photo. Why are you yelling at him?"

Olivia quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, Emma. Ben—"

Before she could finish, Joseph wrapped his arm around her.

A triumphant glint flashed in Olivia's eyes.

I clutched the photo frame, glaring daggers at her, and screamed, "Get out!"

But then I saw Ben holding an urn in his hands.

He was about to open it when I rushed desperately toward him and cried out, "No!"

But it was already too late.

Ben yanked off the lid, and the ashes poured out, scattering everywhere.

I crashed to the floor, frantically trying to gather up the ashes, but they slipped right through my fingers.

I slumped there, lost and helpless.

All around me, Olivia's phony concern, Ben's gleeful laughter, and Joseph's cold, harsh words filled my ears.

My father's final words echoed in my mind.

He wanted me to take some of his ashes south, to his hometown.

Suddenly, someone poured a basin of warm water right over my head.

The ashes on the floor scattered and vanished, swept away.

Olivia pressed a hand to her mouth, looking apologetic. "Oh my gosh, sorry, Emma. I didn't even see it. I just wanted to clean it up. You know Joseph's such a neat freak. He can't stand any mess."

I jumped up and pushed her aside. "You've gone too far."

I barely touched her, but she acted like I'd knocked her over, flinging herself back in exaggerated pain.

She let out a piercing scream, clutching her stomach. "Joseph, the baby. Our baby!"

Before I could react, Joseph struck me across the face, knocking me to the floor. My cheek stung, burning with pain.

Olivia cried, "Don't be angry with Emma, Joseph. It's my fault. I just wasn't steady."

Joseph picked Olivia up, his gaze colder than ever as he looked at me. "If anything happens to Olivia, I won't let you off."

I stood there, stunned, watching his back as he walked away, whispering to myself, "A baby? They have a baby..."

I didn't know how long passed before Joseph returned.

Seeing him cradling Andy in his arms, I felt a heavy chill settle in my chest.

I looked at him warily. "Why did you bring Andy over here? Give me my son back!

Joseph stood over me, then threw a blood donor consent form at my feet. "Sign it."

I stared at him in disbelief. "You want Andy to donate his bone marrow to Olivia? Are you out of your mind? He's not even a year old."

Joseph kicked me aside, his voice cold as ice. "Olivia is still in surgery. This is the fastest way to save her.

"Emma, don't blame me. You brought this on yourself."

He pressed me against the glass window, making me watch as tube after tube of blood was drawn from my own child.

I could only watch in despair as Andy's breathing grew weaker and weaker.

When the doctor finally announced that Olivia was out of danger, Joseph dismissed all the doctors and walked away without looking back.

I made my way to Andy, my fingers trembling as I felt for any sign of his breath.

There was no breath at all.

I screamed, "Help. Somebody, please help my baby. Where's the doctor?"

But no one answered.

I staggered from door to door, clutching Andy in my arms, but not a single doctor was there to help him.

By the time Andy's body had lost all warmth in my arms, I found myself on the rooftop, numb and broken.

Just as I was about to jump, someone grabbed me.

I turned to see the person's face and froze in disbelief. "What are you doing here?"

Three days later, after tucking Olivia and Ben into bed, Joseph rubbed his temples, feeling drained.

For some reason, his mind kept returning to those heartbreaking eyes Emma gave him the last time she looked at him.

His heart clenched tight.

Joseph suddenly realized that, even if Emma had been at fault first, the way he treated Andy had crossed a line.

Besides, he hadn't told her the truth about the baby Olivia was carrying.

He called his assistant Leo over. "How's Emma doing?"

Leo stammered, "Mrs. Foster has been missing for three days, and Andy..."

Before he could finish, a divorce agreement was placed in front of Joseph.

Attached to it was an obituary. When he saw the name on it, his legs nearly gave out.