Chapter 3

I grabbed the first-aid kit and started treating my hand.

I used to be all thumbs. Alex hated the thought of me getting injured and made sure we had a full supply of medicine at home.

He'd always sigh and say, "What would you do without me?"

After I finished applying the medicine, my arm still felt sore and tingly.

I was about to start dealing with the divorce, but my phone rang. It was my best friend.

She was yelling into the phone. "Come quick! Something's happened! Your parents heard about Alex cheating, and they happened to be at the hospital, too. Now they went straight to Sophie. But Sophie totally lost it and made a huge scene."

What? I rushed out in a panic, fearing they'd be overcome with anger.

They'd always adored Alex and been so proud of him. Even when we fought, they'd always take his side.

They probably just wanted to find out the truth, but with Sophie involved, I had no idea what kind of mess was about to go down.

I hurried over in my car.

By the time I got there, Sophie was already up on the rooftop, with a crowd gathered down below.

Sophie's eyes were brimming with tears. "Go ahead and drive me to my death if that's what you want. I've got nothing left to say," she cried.

Alex was there, too, doing his best to calm Sophie down.

My parents were furious. "All we did was ask what was going on, and she ran up to the rooftop, acting all dramatic, threatening to jump. What were we supposed to do?" they said.

Thanks to their upbringing, they held back and didn't say anything harsh.

Pretty soon, people in the crowd started whispering and pointing. Sophie was getting recognized.

"Isn't that the bride who was crying at her wedding a while back? I heard her parents died when she was young, and she finally found happiness. What's going on now?" someone whispered.

Hearing that, Sophie's expression grew even more aggrieved.

Alex spun around and snapped, "Shut up! No one else says a word!"

He tried every trick in the book to coax Sophie down, saying whatever he could to calm her.

The crowd finally went quiet.

Alex's parents also hurried over, doing their best to calm Sophie down.

"Sophie, your parents left you in our care. You're just like a daughter to us. If something's bothering you, just talk to us. Don't risk your safety, okay?" Alex's mom said gently.

"Come on, this was all just to help you fulfill your dream. Why turn it into such a big drama?" Alex's dad chimed in.

My parents looked at them, utterly stunned.

"So you knew about all this and helped her pull it off? Have you completely lost your minds?" my dad snapped.

Alex's parents looked embarrassed, but they still insisted, "Nothing matters more than saving Sophie's life. Put everything else aside."

No wonder.

Alex looked at Sophie and said, "Come here, give me your hand. I'll make them apologize to you."

He turned to my parents. "Apologize to her, now!" he demanded.

I finally arrived at the scene.

My parents looked at him like he'd lost his mind.

They never expected the son-in-law they once cherished to speak to them this way, let alone demanding they apologize to that young girl, when they'd actually done nothing wrong.

They even chose their words carefully when asking for the truth.

I stepped in front of my parents, shielding them.

"Alex, do you know what you're saying? Who do you think you are, making my parents apologize to you?" I snapped.

My parents were absolutely furious.

Alex just sighed, acting like I was the one making a fuss.

"It's a life-and-death matter. Do we really have to bring up the past right now? I know my in-laws have always been good to me and helped me out a lot, but right now, Sophie's the one up there," he said.

"Apologize!" he demanded.