Chapter 3
"Edward, just let me finish," Sarah said, stepping forward. "The first year you were locked up, Richard said your case was worse than he thought, and the money would only come once you got out.
"The second year, he claimed the company was tight on cash..."
"And the third year, he was in your bed?" I cut her off, my voice cold and sharp.
Sarah's face twisted with discomfort.
"It's not like that."
"Oh yeah? Then what is it? Spit it out!"
"I was raising Lily all by myself, with no income. After people found out you were in prison, I couldn't get a job anywhere. Richard was the only one who ever helped us out. He'd buy formula, cover school fees, stuff like that..."
"So you paid him back with your body?"
"Shut up!" Sarah screamed. "Do you have any idea what those years were like for me? When Lily got sick, I couldn't even afford the ER bill!
"I went to your mom for help, and she called me a jinx who ruined her son! I went to my parents, and they said once you're married, you're not their responsibility anymore! I was all alone..."
Sarah's voice caught in her throat, and she couldn't get another word out, her whole body trembling with helplessness.
Her tears rolled down her cheeks, silent and unstoppable.
"Richard was the only one who ever helped me out."
"He's the bastard who got me locked up!" My throat felt like it was being squeezed shut.
"I know!" Sarah shouted back. "But you were inside, and I was out here! You got to make a choice. I didn't!"
Did I really have a choice?
A choice? Seriously?
I took the rap for you, so you could actually live a good life!
And your idea of a good life was sleeping with that bastard?
I closed my eyes.
My temples were throbbing.
I opened my eyes and found myself staring at the boy on the sofa.
He was huddled in the corner, not crying anymore, just watching me with those wide eyes.
His skin was fair, his features delicate. Actually, he was a really handsome kid.
Who did he look like?
He looked just like Richard.
I've known Richard for more than ten years.
That nose, those eyes.
No question about it. He was Richard's kid.
It made me sick to my stomach.
The kind of sick that crawled up from deep in my gut, threatening to make me throw up.
"Lily, come here," I said, turning to my daughter.
Lily was still huddled in the corner, her whole body trembling.
She didn't recognize me.
Her first impression of me? Just some random guy barging in and booting her little brother across the room.
Her little brother. Damn.
She actually called that little bastard her brother.
"Lily, come with Daddy. Let's go home," I said, reaching out my hand to her.
Lily shrank back, shaking her head.
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
Those eyes...they were just like Sarah's.
But when she looked at me, there was no warmth, no hint of recognition.
Nothing but fear.
My hand froze in midair.
Sarah stepped in front of Lily, blocking my way.
"What are you trying to do?"
"I'm taking my daughter with me."
"And what gives you the right?"
"I'm her father."
"You haven't been here for eight years! She doesn't even remember what you look like!"
That felt like she was carving my heart out with a knife.
I gritted my teeth, every word coming out slow and deliberate.
"Don't you know why I was gone for eight years?"
Sarah opened her mouth, but no words came out.
Just then—
A key turned in the lock at the door.
Click.
The door opened.
A man in a gray overcoat walked in.
He was carrying two bags of fruit.
Right behind him was a driver in a suit, holding a gift box.
As he stepped inside, he was still on the phone. "Alright, we'll talk about that project on Monday. I'll..."
He looked up.
And saw me.