Chapter two

The following morning, the two remained nestled together in bed, wrapped in the warmth of their shared intimacy from the night before. The persistent ringing of the doorbell intruded upon Susan's sweet dreams, pulling her from slumber. As she opened her eyes to the soft light of dawn, she turned to Kevin, who was still lost in deep sleep, his broad chest exposed. A smile crept across her face as she pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek before slipping out of bed, the hem of his white long-sleeve shirt brushing against her knees.

The bell continued its relentless call as she descended the staircase, yawning and making her way to the door. Upon opening it, she was met with the unexpected sight of an unfamiliar face: a young, elegant woman, heavily pregnant, dressed modestly, cradling her belly while a piece of luggage rested beside her.

“Um, who are you?” Susan inquired, her voice tinged with confusion, only to be met with a sassy glare from the woman.

“I should be asking you that question. Who are you, and what are you doing in my husband's house?” she retorted, leaving Susan momentarily speechless.

“Husband?” Susan echoed, disbelief creeping into her tone.

“Yes, my husband. Who are you? Oh, I see—you must be just another one of his flings,” the woman shot back coldly.

“Wait, you’ve got it all wrong. I don’t think you’re at the right address. Please check the next house,” Susan urged.

“Excuse you! Are you implying that I’m blind? That I don’t recognize my own husband’s home?” the lady snapped.

“Honey! Who is it?” Kevin’s voice called from the staircase, prompting the woman to push her way inside. Kevin’s eyes widened in shock as he took in the scene, while Susan stood frozen in confusion. “Sandy!”

“You know this woman?” Susan asked.

Kevin, feeling the weight of guilt, hurried down the stairs, only to be met with a sharp slap from Sandy.

“How dare you, Kevin!” she shouted.

“Calm down, Sandy. Let me explain,” he pleaded.

“Explain what? That I came home to find my husband with another woman in our marriage?” she countered, her voice rising in fury, leaving Susan in stunned silence.

“Babe, please, it’s not what you think. I don’t know her,” Kevin insisted, a look of desperation in his eyes.

“Kevin!” Susan exclaimed, her heart sinking.

“I was only gone for three months to spend time with your parents, and I return to this! What is wrong with you? How many times must I endure your nonsense?” She cried, her voice echoing with hurt.

“I’m sorry. It won’t happen again, I promise,” Kevin said, trying to placate her.

“I’ve had enough. We’re getting a divorce,” Sandy declared, her anger boiling over as she grabbed her luggage and stormed away, Kevin rushing after her in a vain attempt to stop her.

“Oh God, not again,” Susan whispered to herself, retreating to her room to dress.

Moments later, Kevin returned to their room, his face a mask of devastation and guilt. He found Susan descending the stairs, already dressed, and rushed to stand before her.

“Please, Susan, I’m sorry,” he said, but she met him with a hard stare that culminated in a sharp slap across his face.

“I hate you, Kevin!” she shouted, removing her ring and throwing it at him. “You will regret this,” she added, her voice trembling with emotion as she walked away, leaving Kevin to watch her go, helpless.

Sitting down on the staircase, he felt utterly dejected, the weight of his choices crashing over him like a tidal wave.

Susan emerged from the building, having already summoned her driver to bring her car. After a brief wait, the driver arrived, and she snatched the keys from his hand, urging him to take a cab home. She desired solitude behind the wheel. Before he could utter a word, she sped away, tears streaming down her face as she drove. Grabbing her phone, she dialed Mirabel's number, and it rang only briefly before being answered.

“Hey bestie, how’s it going?” Mirabel’s voice chimed from the other end.

“Mira,” Susan’s sobbing tone resonated through the line.

“Susan, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?” Panic tinged Mirabel's voice.

“I want to die, Mira.”

“No, don’t say that! You’re not dying. Just tell me where you are, and I’ll come right away.”

“No, I can’t! I want to end my life; I can’t do this anymore.” Susan pressed down on the accelerator, her heart racing. “Goodbye, Mira.” She hurled the phone onto the seat.

“Susan! Susan!” Mirabel’s frantic calls echoed through the phone until suddenly, there was a crash. “Susan!”

_Hospital_

Mirabel and her husband rushed into the hospital ward after tracking Susan’s location, where her car lay wrecked. They inquired about the victim and were directed to the hospital where she was taken. They approached the doctor.

“Please, a patient named Susan Andrew was rushed here an hour ago,” Mirabel implored.

“She was involved in an accident and brought in by a good Samaritan,” Greg added.

“Oh, yes,” the doctor acknowledged.

“Please, how is she?” Mirabel asked, her voice trembling.

“Well, she’s fine. She only sustained a head injury and will recover,” he assured them, prompting a deep sigh of relief from both.

“Can we see her now?” Greg inquired.

“Sure, this way,” the doctor said, leading them down the corridor.

They entered the room to find Susan lying unconscious on the bed, an IV drip attached and a white bandage wrapped around her head. Mirabel rushed to her side, grasping her hand tightly, quiet sobs escaped her lips. Greg moved closer, gently patting her shoulder.

An hour later, Susan was fully alert and sobbed bitterly in Mirabel’s embrace as she recounted the events.

“That’s so cruel of him. How could he do that?” Mirabel exclaimed.

“He deserves to be jailed for this,” Greg asserted.

“I don’t want to live with this anymore,” Susan cried.

“It’s going to be okay. No man is worth dying for,” Mirabel said, her voice steady yet soothing, as she continued to comfort her friend through the tears.

★★★★★★

After Susan was discharged from the hospital, Mirabel persuaded her to stay for a few days until she had fully recovered. One morning, while Susan remained deep in slumber, Jimmy quietly entered her room, balancing a tray of breakfast with his tiny hands. He gently placed it on the table and moved to her side, where he bent over, smiling and playfully touching her cheek. Even in her dreams, Susan smiled, recognizing his presence.

"What are you doing, Jimmy?" she murmured, still ensnared in sleep.

"It's morning; you need to wake up," he replied. She opened her eyes to meet his bright gaze, he beamed, "Good morning, Aunt Susan." She smiled and caressed his cheek.

"Good morning, sweetie. Did you sleep well?" she asked, sitting up in bed. Jimmy scurried to the table to retrieve the breakfast tray, placing it before her.

"You should eat and take your medicine," he urged.

"Thank you, Jimmy. This looks delicious."

"Mom made it."

"I know; she’s the best cook," she replied, taking a bite.

Jimmy’s eyes drifted to the white bandage on her head. "Does your head still hurt?" he asked, and she rolled her head slightly.

"Not really."

"Mom said you were in an accident. Were you racing cars?" he inquired, and Susan chuckled softly.

"No, sweetie, it was just a minor accident."

"Can you promise me you won't hurt yourself again?" His earnest gaze held a hint of sadness that tugged at her heart.

"Come on, Jimmy, it’s nothing serious."

"I want your promise. From now on, you won’t hurt yourself. I really don’t want to see you like this," he said, his voice heavy with concern.

"Okay, I promise I won’t. Happy now?" She smiled at him, and he nodded in relief.

"I love you, Aunt Susan."

"And I love you more, my cute little prince," she replied, laughter bubbling between them. "Join me." She fed him, and they began to eat together.

Greg, who had been secretly watching from the doorway, smiled at their tender moment before quietly slipping away.

Later that noon, Susan and Mirabel lounged by the pool, chatting and sipping drinks under the warm sun.

"I have something to share with you," Mirabel said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Okay, this sounds like good news."

"Yes, I’m pregnant!" she exclaimed, and Susan gasped in delight.

"What? Really?"

"Yes! I found out a few days ago, and the doctor confirmed that I’m three months along."

"Oh my gosh! Come here!" Susan pulled her into a warm embrace. "I’m so happy for you." They stepped back, beaming at one another. "Congratulations!"

"Thank you."

"So, have you told your husband yet?"

"Not yet; I’m preparing a surprise for him tonight during dinner."

"I’m so excited for you! But it’s a shame I won’t be here to help with the baby like I did with Jimmy."

"Why? Are you trying to harm yourself?" Mirabel frowned, and Susan chuckled.

"No, I’m not harming myself. I’m traveling to New York. My dad’s business there is unstable."

"Oh, I thought your uncle was managing it."

"He was, but he can’t keep it up anymore. You know he’s not getting any younger, and there have been a lot of losses."

"Oh, that’s too bad. Does this mean you’ll be gone for a long time?"

"Yeah, but it’s also an opportunity to see Jude. I’ve missed my little brother so much. I can teach him the family business, so once he finishes school, he can take over."

"That’s good. I’m really going to miss you," Mirabel said, pulling her into another warm hug.

"Me too."