Chapter 3
"Vanessa, your mom misses you a lot. Do you have time to visit us soon?" my dad asked.
My parents hadn't been in the best of health these past few years, so Danny and I always made time to go and spend some time with them whenever we could.
Luckily, most of the work at the office was wrapped up, so I finally had a chance to relax.
I agreed without hesitation. "Sure, I'll come by soon."
"I'll go back with Danny," I added.
The night before our trip, Danny called me.
"Sorry, Vanessa, something urgent came up at work. I have to catch a flight out of town and can't go with you," Danny said, sounding genuinely regretful.
He added, "I've already picked up some gifts for your parents. Make sure to bring them along. Once this project wraps up, I promise I'll come see them."
That had always been our way. Work would come first, no matter what.
"Okay," I replied, understanding as always. I didn't say anything more.
After I got to my parents' place, I went for a walk with my parents at a nearby park to help them unwind.
Out of nowhere, my mom pointed at someone in the distance and asked, a little unsure, "Vanessa, doesn't that guy look kind of like Danny?"
Suddenly, my heart dropped, and I felt something was off.
Sure enough, when I looked up, it was Danny.
From behind, I could tell it was him. The trench coat he was wearing was the same one he'd shown me in his morning photo.
And right beside him, Stella was leaning in close, the two of them holding up a phone, looking like they were taking a selfie together.
I forced a smile and joked, trying to keep things light.
"Mom, even your eagle eyes can slip up sometimes. Danny's out of town for work. There's no way he'd show up here," I said.
"Mom, Dad, it's scorching out here. How about we go chill at that fancy private club nearby for a bit?" I suggested.
Once my parents were settled in, I dropped Danny my live location.
Then I called him.
"Danny, get your ass over here in three minutes!" I snapped.
He sounded surprised on the other end. "Vanessa? What are you doing around here?"
I let out a cold laugh. "Don't play dumb, Danny. Weren't you supposed to be out of town for work? So why are you here?"
He hesitated, fumbling for words. "Stella... has never really been out before. It's her birthday today, and she just wanted to have some fun, so I... I took her out."
"I don't want to hear it," I cut him off. "Come to the spot I sent you, right now."
He refused me flat out.
"Vanessa, I took her out today. I can't just leave her here alone. Just enjoy your time with your parents, and I'll explain everything when I get home tonight," Danny said.
"Danny, I'm telling you one last time. If you're not here in three minutes, don't blame me for what happens next!" I snapped.
He hung up before I could even finish.
I tried calling him again, but his phone was already off.
Just then, Stella posted on her social media.
It read, [Danny turned off his phone just to spend my birthday with me. Now no one can interrupt us.]
The photo showed Danny from behind. He was always so cool and distant, but today he was actually wearing a Mickey Mouse headband for her.
I was furious, hands shaking as I shot Stella a message.
I texted, [Tell Danny to call me back in three minutes, or you two won't like what happens next!]
She totally ignored me.
Three minutes ticked by. Still, nothing happened.
I didn't hesitate. I called my assistant right away.
"Cancel every single cent of support for Stella Meyer, immediately!" I snapped.
Then I took a screenshot of Stella's post and blasted it on my own social media.
The caption read, [My husband ditched my parents and lied just to hang out with the girl he's sponsoring, and now he's even blocked me. Seriously, is this right?]
My post set off a firestorm.
[Whoa! What a bombshell. Danny always seemed so uptight and by-the-book, but look at him now.]
My social media exploded with comments and shares, everyone tagging Danny and demanding an explanation.
Soon enough, Danny was blowing up my phone with call after call.
I saw his name pop up, sent him straight to voicemail, and blocked him without a second thought.
Early the next morning, Danny's parents showed up at my door with him in tow.
As soon as they stepped inside, Danny's father, Jonathan Fisher, kicked Danny in the leg and let loose, cursing him out.
"You ungrateful bastard, you've disgraced the Fisher family!" Jonathan roared.
Danny's mother, Linda Fisher, was so furious that she couldn't even get the words out. She just pointed at Danny, then raised her hand and slapped him across the face.
They laid into Danny, both physically and verbally, right in front of me.
Once they'd finished laying into him, Linda changed her tone and took my hand.
"Vanessa, Danny just meant well. He got a little carried away. That's all. There's really nothing between him and that student, I promise. Please, don't be upset," Linda pleaded.
Jonathan kicked Danny again, even harder.
"Apologize to Vanessa properly," Jonathan shouted.
Danny dropped to his knees with a thud in front of me. He looked up at me, eyes red and wild.
"Vanessa, I know I messed up," Danny choked out, still kneeling, his voice shaking with regret.
"I swear, I'll cut all ties with her. Please, just give me one more chance," he pleaded desperately.
I looked at him, all disheveled and desperate, his eyes pleading, full of regret.
No matter how hurt I was, I just couldn't let go of what we had.
I sighed and said seriously, "This is the last time, Danny. Don't mess up again."