Chapter 2
Edward didn't show up.
I waited at the courthouse entrance until ten, the sun baking the steps until they were almost white.
Daniel sent me a voice message, with a lot of noise in the background.
"Mom, Dad said he has an important lecture this morning and doesn't have time to mess around with you. Hurry home and bring my inkstone to the Children's Palace—I need it right away."
I didn't reply.
Helen hurried over with two cups of soy milk. When she saw the divorce papers in my hand, she got so mad she stabbed the straw in sideways.
"He's not coming?" Helen asked.
"Nope," I replied.
"That bastard," Helen spat.
Her words were so blunt, the woman behind the desk looked over.
I took a sip of the soy milk, head down—it was warm, almost too sweet.
Helen lowered her voice. "Margaret, are you really sure about this? Seriously, if you don't have anywhere to stay, just crash at my place. I need help at the shop—you could work the register or whatever. Just don't go back and play housekeeper for them again."
"I've got a place," I said.
"Where?" Helen asked.
I looked at the sycamore tree across the street.
"Haven't decided yet," I said.
Helen could tell I didn't want to talk about it, so she didn't press. Instead, she handed me another bag.
"You probably didn't eat last night. The buns are still warm," she said.
As soon as I took the bag, my phone rang.
It was Edward.
I answered.
Edward's voice came on the line, with applause and people talking in the background.
"Margaret, where's Daniel's inkstone?" he asked.
"Second drawer in the study," I replied.
"No one's home," he said.
"I'm at the courthouse," I replied.
There was a brief silence on the other end.
"You're still there?" Edward asked.
"I'm waiting for you," I said.
Edward was trying not to lose his temper.
"Can't you see what's important here? Daniel's got a competition today—it's the city's youth calligraphy exhibition, and a lot of teachers will be there. That inkstone is the one he's used to. If you don't bring it, what if he messes up?" Edward said.
I asked, "So, are you coming to sign the papers or not?"
"Margaret, don't use Daniel to threaten me," Edward said.
Before I could say anything, Daniel snatched the phone from him.
"Mom, I'm begging you, okay? Is it really that hard to just bring it over? After the competition, you can throw as big a fit as you want," Daniel pleaded.
Helen snatched my phone right out of my hand.
"Daniel, your mom isn't your family's personal errand girl. You've got legs—go get it yourself," Helen snapped.
Daniel fired back, "Aunt Helen, this is our family's business. Just butt out!"
Helen burst out laughing.
"Your family? Do you guys even treat her like she's actually human?" Helen shot back.
Edward's voice came through the phone.
"Helen, stop filling her head with nonsense," Edward said.
Helen shoved the phone back at me, practically fuming.
I said into the phone, "I'm not bringing the inkstone."
Edward was silent for a few seconds.
"Alright, Margaret. If Daniel doesn't place today because of you, don't regret it," he said.
He hung up.
Helen muttered a string of curses and pulled me away.
Just as we reached the curb, a black car rolled up. The same woman from last night got out.
"Ms. Lane, you need to confirm the documents in person," she said.
Helen moved protectively in front of me.
"Who are you?" Helen snapped.
The woman pulled out an official document with a red stamp, flashing just a corner of it for me to see.
Helen didn't get a clear look—she just spotted the red stamp, and her words caught in her throat.
I passed the buns to her.
"Helen, thanks for everything today," I said.
Helen stared at me. "You're not keeping something from me, are you?"
I replied, "You'll be the first to hear when I can say anything."
Helen gritted her teeth. "Don't go all TV drama on me. If anyone tries to mess with you, I'll turn their world upside down."
The woman heard that and nodded solemnly.
"Don't worry, Ms. Brooks. Ms. Lane won't be mistreated," she said.
Before I got in the car, Daniel sent me another photo.
In the picture, he was standing at the entrance of the competition venue, holding a brand-new inkstone. Next to him was a woman in a white dress.
She had a soft smile, her hand resting on his shoulder.
Daniel had added a caption.
"Aunt Clara got me a new inkstone. It's so much better than your old one," Daniel texted.
My eyes lingered on her face.
Clara Shaw.
Edward was always saying Clara understood his art better than anyone else.
Clara made her entrance way faster than I'd imagined.
That afternoon, I went home to collect my documents.
As soon as I opened the door, the place was sparkling clean, fresh lilies in the vase, and the kitchen smelled like chicken soup.
Clara came out of the kitchen wearing my apron, acting like she owned the place.
"Margaret, you're back," she said, all friendly.
She sounded way too familiar, like we were old pals.
Daniel was sitting at the dining table, head down, eating his soup noodles. When I walked in, he barely glanced up.
"Mom, Aunt Clara's cooking is really good," Daniel said.
I looked at Edward.
He'd changed into a fresh shirt and was setting the table for Clara, moving around like it was the most natural thing in the world—it stung just to watch.
"You ignored my calls this morning, so I had no choice but to ask Clara for help. Daniel took first place in the competition, all thanks to her bringing the inkstone," Edward said.
Clara hurried to say, "Edward, don't give me so much credit. I just happened to help out."
She slid a bowl of soup in front of me.
"Margaret, go ahead and have some. Women our age shouldn't keep butting heads at home—it just takes a toll on you," she said.
If Helen were here, she'd probably flip that soup right onto Clara's head.
I ignored the soup and headed straight for the bedroom.
Edward stepped in front of me.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"To get my things," I replied.
"Are you going to make a scene again?" Edward asked.
Clara spoke gently, "Margaret, Edward came straight home after his lecture. You still mean something to him. Married people never hold grudges overnight."
I stared at the apron she was wearing.
"Take it off," I said.
She paused, caught off guard.
Daniel jumped to his feet.
"Mom, why are you giving Aunt Clara a hard time? She's just being nice, making us dinner," Daniel said.
"That's my apron," I said.
Edward's face darkened.
"It's just an apron. Do you really have to fuss about it in front of Daniel?" Edward said.
"It's mine. Is it wrong for me to care about my own things?" I shot back.
Clara lowered her gaze, but didn't move.
"Margaret, I'm sorry. I didn't realize it mattered so much to you. I just saw the kitchen was a mess and wanted to help," she said.
I walked over and untied the apron strings from behind her.
She suddenly stepped back, her elbow hitting the edge of the table.
The cracked celadon bowl rolled off the table.
It hit the floor with a sharp crack, shattering into pieces.
Daniel was the first to react, shouting out.
"Mom, why did you push Aunt Clara?" Daniel cried out.
I stared down at the broken pieces.
Edward caught Clara, his eyes sharp as knives.
"Margaret, apologize," he said.
"I didn't push her," I said.
Clara bit her lip.
"Edward, it's fine. Margaret didn't mean it. Maybe she's just in a bad mood," Clara said.
That was even more sickening than if she'd just admitted it.
Daniel rushed over, stepping in front of Clara to shield her.
"Mom, you weren't like this before. Why are you being so mean now?" Daniel said.
I bent down to pick up the shards of the broken bowl.
Edward grabbed my wrist.
"Leave it. Clara nearly got hurt because of you. Apologize first," he said.
I looked up at him.
"My mom left me that bowl," I said.
"It's just a broken bowl," Edward scoffed.
He tossed it out like it meant nothing.
The living room fell silent.