After the Ninety-Ninth Affair

The atmosphere in the living room of the Kane mansion was ice-cold.

Vanessa's parents stared at the divorce agreement on the table, unable to believe their eyes.

After all, in all the times Vanessa had threatened suicide over another man, I'd never once brought up divorce.

"Evan, Vanessa's still a child at heart. You two have been childhood sweethearts for so many years. She still loves you. Otherwise, she never would've said back then that you were the only man she'd ever marry..."

Diane always used the same line to smooth things over between Vanessa and me.

Even I had believed Vanessa would come around, that one day she'd finally see how good I was to her.

I let out a sigh and, for once, pushed back.

"Diane, that was ten years ago. A lot can change in ten years. If she can't settle down and feels trapped with me, I'm not going to force it anymore."

Before they could keep trying to talk me around, I calmly took out Vanessa's miscarriage report.

I drew a deep breath, then pushed a small box across the table toward them.

"The baby's in there. Just twenty weeks. When they took it out, its heart had already formed. It still had a heartbeat..."

My eyes stung. No matter how hard I tried to keep my emotions in check, my voice wouldn't stop shaking.

When Diane saw the report and the box that held the baby, she nearly fainted.

Even Richard, who was usually so even-tempered, flew into a rage.

Then I sent them the photos from my phone, pictures of Vanessa and Lucas Reed in bed together.

"She lost the baby while the two of them were sleeping together. I've already buried the story. No one knows."

Watching me clean up Vanessa's mess with practiced ease, Richard let out a heavy sigh.

Then he made the biggest concession he could.

"Give Vanessa one more month. If she's still acting out after that, I'll agree to the divorce."

Before I could say anything, there was a noise at the front door.

Vanessa walked in with Lucas, their fingers laced together. The moment she spotted me, the smile froze on her face.

"Evan? What are you doing here? Running to my parents to tattle on me again? That's all you're good for. What else can you do besides beg my parents?"

Her shrill voice rang through the entire room.

Diane clutched her chest and stamped her foot in frustration.

"Vanessa, what were you thinking? Evan's been so good to you. How could you do something like this?"

Even Richard was angry enough to raise his hand and slap her.

This time, I didn't step in front of her the way I used to.

Lucas, clearly hurting for her, squared up to her parents in protest.

"Mr. and Mrs. Kane, I know you don't like me, but Vanessa's your own daughter. You can't treat her like this!"

Vanessa pressed a hand to her swollen cheek. Then she noticed the miscarriage report lying open on the table, and it all clicked.

She shot me a vicious glare.