Chapter 2
Richard clearly didn't believe me.
He sounded so sure, like there was no room for doubt.
He said, "You're still too young to understand.
"She couldn't live without me back then.
"Seven years ago, she lost her job, was broke, and had nowhere to go.
"What else could she do but wait for me?"
So he had known all along.
Seven years ago, Mom and I were flat broke, with nowhere to go.
Back then, I was burdened with a serious illness I'd had since birth.
If she hadn't been so unwilling to watch me suffer, maybe she never would have done it.
I snapped myself out of it.
I ignored him and turned away, leaving without another word.
When I got home, Mom was sitting by the floor-to-ceiling window.
She was going through patient files.
Nicholas Sanders had his shirt sleeves rolled up, frying fish in the kitchen.
On the living room TV, a familiar face appeared.
The reporter's voice came through.
"Dr. Richard Cooper, the youngest orthopedic professor at Riverdale Medical Center, came back home this afternoon.
"After seven years of studying abroad, he's officially announced his return to Riverdale Medical Center."
Mom's hand paused as she flipped through the patient files.
Helen's expression changed dramatically.
She hurried over and fumbled to turn off the TV.
Helen whispered nervously, "This channel never used to show things like this."
Mom gently set down the patient files and said softly, "It's alright, Helen. You don't have to worry about turning it off anymore."
She got up and walked over.
She helped me take off my backpack and ruffled Adrian's hair.
From the kitchen, Nicholas called out, "Wash your hands, dinner's ready."
Mom took my hand and Adrian's, leading us to the kitchen to wash up.
As we were almost at the kitchen door, I couldn't hold back my unease any longer.
"Mom, I went to pick up Adrian from kindergarten today.
"At the school gate, Dad came looking for me."
Mom looked stunned for a moment.
I explained, "It was the dad from before."
Just then, Nicholas came out of the kitchen, holding a plate of fish.
He must have overheard what I said.
His knuckles turned white for a moment as he gripped the plate, and a strange look flashed in his eyes.
But he quickly pulled himself together and took the fish to the dining room.
At the dinner table, he ladled some soup into Mom's bowl.
He said softly, "It was a bit too salty last time.
"I used less salt this time. See if you like it."
Mom tasted it and, keeping her distance, replied politely, "It's good."
Nicholas cleared his throat.
After a pause, he spoke up again, sounding a little awkward.
"If Richard starts bothering you, just tell me if you want me to handle it—"
"No need," Mom replied, setting her bowl down calmly.
She cut him off, calm and direct.
Mom never liked Nicholas meddling in our business.
When the two families arranged the marriage five years ago, Nicholas wanted no part of it.
He wasn't happy about it at all, and before the wedding, he made her agree to three rules.
First, no sharing money or assets after they got married.
Second, it was all about family interests, nothing about feelings.
He also said he couldn't stand noisy kids and banned me from his study.
But by now, that had changed.
Half of his study had long since become a reading nook for me and Adrian.
Mom was always gentle, but she never forgot a thing.
Back then, she really had no choice.
Nicholas was left with nothing but awkwardness.
The rest of the meal was eaten in silence.
After dinner, Nicholas headed out to work overtime at the office.
Helen left too.
Not long after they left, the doorbell rang.
Mom got up and walked over, and she asked as she opened the door.
"Did you forget something?" she called out.
But as the door swung open, her words caught in her throat.
A chilly breeze slipped in from outside, quietly stirring the hem of her coat.
Her hand lingered on the doorknob, frozen for a moment.
She stood there for a long moment before finally speaking, her tone icy and a bit rough.
"What are you doing here?" Mom demanded, her voice sharp and wary.