Chapter 08
Keith’s POV
“What are you doing here?” Emily coldly asked me when I pushed my way into her house.
Emily’s indifference unsettled me. The way she smiled as the police officer left–it wasn’t directed at me. The contrast between her coldness towards me and her warmth toward him gnawed at me. Like I was only a stranger to her even if I had lived with the woman for almost 10 years.
I knew he was a police, but I didn’t like the way he tried to come closer Emily.
I looked at her hand still in a sling. I came to check up on her and also to pick Zane. It was the weekend so it was my time with him.
I couldn’t help but ask, “Did the police stay here overnight? It could. affect Zane.”
Emily’s retort was swift, cutting through the tension. “It’s none of your business, Keith. When you were too busy fawning over Lily, I never interfered.”
Her sharpness caught me off guard. This wasn’t the gentle woman
I had once known. Her words stung more than I expected, and I found myself defensively saying, “Lily is different.”
Emily’s sneer was full of bitterness. “Of course, she is. She’s your beloved Lily.”
The way she spat out those words felt like a slap. I wasn’t used to this side of her. It unsettled me, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was changing between us, something I hadn’t anticipated.
Emily’s eyes flashed with anger. “And don’t worry. I won’t do anything to hurt Zane. But don’t expect me to stay single forever. I will start dating again, Keith.”
The thought of Emily with someone else, of her moving on, twisted something inside me. She had been the one to bring up divorce, the one who knew from the start that my heart belonged to Lily. But hearing her say she would find someone else felt… wrong.
“I don’t understand you, Emily. You knew I loved Lily from the start. If it hadn’t been for that mistake nine years ago, I would have married her.”
Emily’s expression darkened. “And yet, that didn’t stop you from sleeping with me after we got married.”
Her words struck deep, forcing me to confront a truth I had tried to ignore. “I never loved you, Emily,” I said, the words sounding hollow
Chapter 8
even to me. “I was with you because… because…”
“Because it was convenient,” she finished for me, her voice laced with disgust. “You needed someone to satisfy your desires, and I was there.”
We fought, our voices rising in the quiet of the house.
“Why do you always have to be so damn childish, Emily?” I shouted, frustration boiling over. “This is exactly why I’ve always loved Lily more.”
Emily’s face twisted in anger, and before I could react, she
grabbed a rag and threw it at me. It hit me square in the chest. The force of it was nothing compared to the weight of my words that had just left my mouth. I shouldn’t have compared her to Lily–it was a mistake, one I instantly regretted.
She immediately winced, her hand going to her shoulder, paint flashing across her face. Seeing her frown in pain, a pang of guilt twisted inside me. I took a step forward, instinctively reaching out to comfort her.
“Emily-“I started to say, my voice softer, an attempt at an apology forming on my lips, but she cut me off, her eyes blazing.
“Don’t you dare, Keith,” she hissed, her voice trembling with both anger and pain. She pushed my hand away, rejecting the comfort I was trying to offer. The hurt in her eyes was unmistakable, and it
only deepened the knot in my chest.
She turned away, reaching for the bottle of painkillers on the counter. With sharp, deliberate movements, she popped the cap and swallowed two pills, her gaze never leaving mine, daring me to say something.
I watched her, feeling a strange, uncomfortable twist in my gut as she fought to maintain control. Her pain was clear, both physical. and emotional, but I couldn’t bring myself to say anything. I had caused this, and now I was just standing there, helpless.
“I’m here to pick up Zane.” Before leaving, I tried to explain, “The criminal gang that targeted your father… it’s still dangerous. My parents and Nicole have decided to enter the witness protection program. I think Zane should accompany them. It’s the only way to keep him safe.”
“He is not awake.” I saw the hesitation in her eyes, the struggle between wanting to keep Zane close and knowing he would be safer away from here. But in the end, she agreed, even if it was reluctantly.
“Why didn’t you tell me this yesterday?” she demanded, her voice trembling slightly.
“I was going to, but you left before I could,” I explained, feeling a flicker of guilt. “Zane, my parents, and Nicole will be leaving the day after tomorrow.”
“How long will he be gone?”
“Till the threat has been eliminated and the culprits are caught”
Emily nodded, the fight draining out of her as she went to call Zane. As she walked away, I realized something that shook me- whatever love had once been in her eyes when she looked at me, was gone.
Now, she looked at me the same way I had looked at her for years:
with resentment.
it
Emily’s pov
Zane clung to me, his little hands gripping the hem of my shirt as if letting go would mean losing me forever. His wide, tear–filled eyes looked up at me, pleading silently.
“I don’t want to go, Mommy,” he whispered, his voice quivering. “I want to stay here with you.”
My heart ached at his words, but I knew what had to be done. Kneeling down to his level, I cupped his cheek, brushing away a stray tear with my thumb. “I know, sweetheart,” I said gently, forcing a smile. “But you’ll have so much fun with Grandma and Grandpa. It’s like a vacation, and guess what? You’re going to the beach!”
Zane’s eyes lit up at the mention of the beach, but the hesitation
Choler 08
still lingered. “Really? The beach?”
“Yes, really,” I nodded, trying to keep the enthusiasm in my voice. “You’ll get to build sandcastles, swim in the ocean, and maybe even find some seashells. Doesn’t that sound fun?”
Zane bit his lip, still uncertain, but the allure of the beach was too strong. He nodded slowly. “Okay, Mommy. But why are you not coming?”
My smile faltered for just a second before I caught myself. “Not this time, sweetheart, but I’ll be right here waiting for you when you get back. And you can call me every day, okay?”
He nodded again, this time with more confidence, and I pulled him into a tight hug. “That’s my brave boy,” I whispered into his hair, holding him close.
Just as I was packing the last of Zane’s clothes into his suitcase, the doorbell rang. I took a deep breath and opened the door to find Keith standing there, a strained look on his face.
Zane’s face lit up when he saw his father. “Daddy!” He ran into Keith’s arms, and for a moment, I saw the tenderness in Keith’s eyes as he scooped our son up.
“I’ll take you both to the airport,” Keith said, his tone leaving little room for argument.
Chapter 08
“I’ve already called a car,” I replied, my voice firm. “We don’t need
you to drive us.”
Keith’s jaw tightened. “Cancel it. I’m driving.”
WHAT THE FUCK IS HE DOING?
