Chapter 3
I choked back tears and called my divorce attorney to draft the papers.
At home, everything still held traces of Emmy's life. I stared at her photo, wiping my eyes.
"Emmy, would you like Mommy to take you away?" I whispered.
After packing all of Emmy's things, I decided to move out.
Then David walked in with his arm around Claire. She was clutching her dog—the one she'd just found.
I sneezed. I was allergic to dogs.
David frowned and instinctively moved the dog away from me.
He looked annoyed at my suitcase. "Really? I say a couple things, and you're taking Emmy to your parents'?"
Hearing Emmy's name made my heart clench.
David made an annoyed sound, put the dog in the storage room, then went to change.
When he came out, I said calmly, "David, I want a divorce. Just sign the papers when they're ready."
I glanced at Claire on his arm. "So she can finally be with you openly, with her dog, and no more hiding."
David grabbed my arm and snapped, "What's wrong with you? Getting jealous over nothing?
"You're really threatening divorce over something this trivial? Have you thought about what Emmy would do without her mom?"
Hearing him mention Emmy nearly drowned me in grief.
If he hadn't blocked me at every turn, I wouldn't have lost her.
I broke down, wailing uncontrollably. "Don't you dare use Emmy as an excuse! You're the last person who should say her name!
"You're the reason my baby's dead!"
Claire's eyes went wide. She clapped a hand over her mouth in surprise. "Linda, watch your mouth. How can you say something so cruel about your own daughter?"
Then she spotted the doll in my hand and smirked, like she'd figured it out. "I get it. You know David dotes on Emmy more than anything.
"So you're trying to run off with her on purpose, planning to guilt-trip him into giving in."
David's face twisted with rage. "Emmy's turning out just like you. Go get her from your parents'. I don't have energy for you two anymore!"
I shut my eyes, voice breaking. "Emmy's never coming back."
David furiously grabbed my arm and pulled me up.
"You just won't learn, will you? If she's not coming back, you don't keep this doll."
He snatched the doll and handed it to Claire. "Claire, didn't you want a new toy for your puppy? This'll work."
Claire grinned and thanked him.
I reached out desperately. "That was Emmy's favorite doll! It's the only thing she left behind!"
David yanked me back, blocking me from Claire.
He was too busy shielding her to notice how hard he was gripping me—a nasty red welt bloomed on my arm instantly.
He only let go when I hissed in pain.
Claire's dog ran out of the storage room, barking. When she saw me still reaching, Claire tossed the doll aside. The dog snatched it up, teeth bared.
Its fangs tore into the doll, ripping off one of its legs.
My vision went dark. The coroner's words exploded in my mind. "Emmy's arms and legs were all broken..."
I threw myself at the dog, frantic to get the doll back.
Enraged, the dog bit down hard on my hand, staining the doll red with my blood.
David panicked, shoved the dog away, and shouted, "Linda, are you insane? You're allergic—you could die!"
I just stared blankly at the torn doll on the floor.
Once David held me back, the dog ripped the doll apart.
The doll's limbs were torn off, scattered on the floor.
Claire giggled, clapping. "David, look, the puppy's having fun!"
Hearing that, I shoved David aside, tears streaming, and roared, "David, get out—take that bitch and her dog with you!
"Get out! I don't want you here!"
David kicked my suitcase across the living room.
His face darkened as he grabbed me, voice full of threat. "I don't care if you've lost your mind or you're putting on a show. Throwing a fit over some stupid doll?
"I don't have time for your drama. Go get Emmy back, and both of you better figure out what you did wrong.
"Or forget Emmy's birthday wish—and don't come crying when I cut off your expenses!"
With that, David left in a huff, taking Claire and the dog.