Chapter 2

Samuel almost stood up without thinking.

The keys were lying on a table not far from him.

I took a deep breath. Even though I was nervous, I pushed the door open.

Susan shot up as soon as she saw me walk in.

There wasn't a flicker of guilt or nervousness on her face.

Instead, she glared at me, looking furious and annoyed.

She acted like I was the bad guy who ruined their relationship.

We'd met more than once before.

No one could've imagined that a week ago, she was at my place and I treated her like a little sister.

But on that day, she ended up holding my husband's hand.

When I was hysterically demanding to know why they did this, Susan stared back at me, calm as ever. "I don't know what you're talking about. But today is a private day for our college. If you're not on the guest list, please leave."

That day, when Samuel grabbed my arm and dragged me out, Susan straightened her back and locked eyes with me, completely unafraid and unapologetic.

It was like today.

But my belly hurt so bad, I didn't bother sticking around for their drama.

I grabbed the keys from the table and turned to leave.

But to my surprise, Samuel came running after me. "Wait, listen. I swear, I didn't invite her."

He grabbed my wrist in a hurry, desperate to stop me.

Blood oozed from the injection site on my arm.

I said, "I know."

I was the one who invited her, but wasn't he the one who actually wanted to see her?

I sniffled and looked up at Samuel.

I forced a smile that probably didn't look too bad. "Samuel, I know she's in your heart. So, let's get a divorce, okay?"

Samuel stared at me for a long moment, then his shoulders slumped. "Emily, I told you I'd end things with her. Today was a fluke. You don't have to keep bringing up divorce every time.

"You don't have a job. How will you support the kids if we split up? And how are you going to cover the bills for your dad's care?"

Ever since my dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, Samuel used all his connections to get him the best doctors and the priciest nursing home.

When my dad was at his worst, Samuel didn't trust the caregivers, so he took care of him himself.

Those hands that had only ever held a pen were now carrying bedpans, without a trace of hesitation or disgust.

He had no idea that was the one thing that made me forgive him, no matter what.

That was the reason I decided to give him one more chance back then.

But once someone played their get-out-of-jail-free card, that was it.

Then I thought of our child.

I shook off his hand and was about to pull out the abortion procedure form from my bag.

Then, I heard a heavy thud coming from the hospital room.

Right after, Susan screamed, "Professor Howard, my stomach suddenly hurts so much!"

Samuel didn't pause. He spun around and rushed over to her.

He took a couple of steps, then turned to look back at me. "If you want to leave, go ahead. I'll explain it to you tomorrow. Don't bring up divorce again."

I didn't remember how I made it home that day.

All I knew was, not long after I got back, I started running a fever.

Half-awake, I found myself dreaming about Samuel as an eight-year-old.

He was covered in blood, after his alcoholic father nearly beat him to death.

I begged my dad to take him in, because he was so handsome, I couldn't let him be left alone.

Back in our senior year, Samuel got into the top university in town.

Me? I ended up at some average school.

That was the first time I ever touched alcohol.

The booze finally gave me the nerve to say, "Samuel, I like you. Will you be with me?"

Samuel had never turned me down, not once, ever since we were kids.

So he said yes.

Naturally, we started dating and then got married.

But how did it all end up like this?

Suddenly, a shrill ring jolted me awake from my muddled dream.

It was an unknown number. "Hello, is this Ms. Summers? Your father has slipped out of the nursing home and is now missing!"