Chapter 4

"Carol, looks like you finally gave in," Lucia said coldly. "Should've done this earlier. Holding on was pointless. If Melvin doesn't love you, keeping him by force only makes him despise you more."

She leaned close, her warm breath brushing my ear. She whispered, "There's something you don't know. It's about why you lost your child two years ago."

My blood froze.

Lucia laughed softly, every word deliberate. "I told Melvin to put something in your water. You thought your body failed you? No, it was me. I didn't want to be stepmom to someone else's child."

I stood frozen, my breath caught in my throat.

She straightened up, enjoying how pale I looked. "See, with just a move, I can steal the thing you care about most."

I trembled uncontrollably. All I could think about was the child I'd lost.

Back then, I'd just found out about Melvin cheating on me. I still clung to the last bit of hope, thinking maybe the baby would bring him back to me.

Then, out of nowhere, I lost the baby. I lay alone in that hospital bed, crying so hard I'd faint.

That was when Lucia sent me intimate photos of her cozying up to Melvin.

That was the day I swore I'd keep Melvin in my life, no matter what.

Even if it meant a lifetime of hurting each other, I'd never let go.

I never could've guessed that the baby I dreamed of every single day would be sacrificed to prove their true love.

The truth hit me so hard I could barely breathe.

Hatred exploded inside me, my vision going red. I wanted to rip Lucia to shreds.

Before I knew it, I swung my hand and slapped Lucia across the face with everything I had.

A sharp sound echoed through the room.

Lucia let out a startled cry, stumbling backward and falling straight into Melvin's arms as he rushed over.

He shoved her behind his back, glaring at me with pure fury.

"Carol, are you out of your mind?" he shouted.

I let out a wild, almost hysterical laugh, locking eyes with him without backing down.

Out of my mind? Indeed, I'd been out of my mind for ages.

His words lit a fuse inside me, and my sanity snapped.

I cursed inwardly, making up my mind that I'd not let Melvin off easily.

I swung my hand and slapped him hard across the face.

"You fucking deserved to be slapped the most," I yelled.

Pain shot through my palm.

Then, my vision went dark and I collapsed forward, unable to help myself.

Instead of crashing to the ground, I was caught in a warm embrace.

The scent was unfamiliar, but there was a hint of something familiar.

*****

I woke up in the hospital, feeling weak and drained.

I opened my eyes, and my vision slowly cleared. Standing by my bedside was Hank Sutton.

He was Melvin's friend, and one of the few people who knew about my cancer.

I'd always asked him not to tell Melvin about my condition.

"You're awake?" He set down the report and sighed. "Melvin is outside. He looks really anxious and has been waiting by the door. He still doesn't know about your condition, does he?"

My throat burned with dryness, and I begged in a raspy voice, "Dr. Sutton, please don't tell him. We're about to split up anyway."

"What do you mean, 'about to split up'?" Hank sounded a bit rattled, his voice rising.

Realizing he'd lost his cool, he took a deep breath and tried to sound professional. "But by law, your husband has the right to know."

"We're getting divorced tomorrow," I cut him off, my voice firm.

Hank froze, his eyes flashing with something complicated.

I was about to say something else, but he suddenly stood up and headed straight for the door.

I realized what he was about to do, and shook my head weakly, powerless to stop him.

He yanked the door open and called out coldly, "Come in."

Melvin rushed in, heading to my bedside and grabbing my hand.

There was a rare flash of concern in his eyes as he rushed over, blurting out, "Why did she suddenly pass out? Hank, what is going on with Carol?"

His worry almost made me hesitate for a moment.

Before Hank could say a word, I jerked my hand out of Melvin Barnes's grip. "Spare me the fake concern!"

Melvin's face turned cold. "You think I actually care about you?"

"Then don't," I snapped back, glaring at him. "Isn't this what you've been wishing for all along, that I'd just drop dead?"

Melvin's face went dark. "Stop talking nonsense before you actually get yourself so mad you drop dead."

He turned to Hank. "Hank, let's step outside and talk."

Hank gave me a worried glance, about to nod. My heart clenched with anxiety.

Just then, Melvin's phone rang.

The ringtone was a cheesy love song he'd set just for Lucia.