第4章

The ambulance cut through the rain.

Mom had taken her medicine and was sound asleep.

Rain drummed against the glass. I remembered the first time Derek came to our house. It was a stormy day just like this.

He was scrawny and sun-darkened, half-starved, but his face was full of defiance.

Nobody believed in him. Nobody except my father.

He swore that once he made it, he would repay everything my parents had done for him.

He had made it. And he'd forgotten every word.

The next day, Mom was feeling much better. She held my hand before speaking.

"I want to make you both some of that marinated crab. Derek loves it."

My nose stung. I realized how long it had been since Derek and I last shared a meal.

He was always too busy. Too busy to eat.

But never too busy to help someone else find a stray cat, go to the doctor, or shop for a massage chair.

"Mom, I want to leave him."

Mom cupped my face. Her palm was warm.

"Whatever you decide, I'm with you."

When I went home to get my things, Derek was alone.

"I know you weren't happy about it. I moved them somewhere else."

I nodded and glanced around the room.

Megan's makeup, her slippers, and a half-empty bag of cat food were still there.

She was gone, but her traces were everywhere.

Strangely, I felt completely calm.

I opened the closet and packed my clothes along with all my documents.

At the entryway, he slammed his hand down on the suitcase.

"Where are you going?"

"Derek, we're done."

I looked him in the eye.

"Don't say things you don't mean."

His voice was cold.

"The exhibition is at a critical stage. Pick your timing before you throw a tantrum."

I pulled a pair of pink panties from under the pillow and tossed them at his feet.

"I mean every word."

His expression shifted. He grabbed my wrist.

"She just stayed one night. Nothing happened. Don't make trouble."

I looked at him like I was looking at a stranger.

He let out an irritated sigh.

"Is this about the exhibition? Fine, I'll add your name back. Is that enough?"

I shook my head.

"The exhibition is canceled."

He went still.

"What do you mean?"

"Everything's ready to go and you just cancel it?"

I pulled my hand free.

"They're my father's paintings. I have every right to decide."

I opened the door.

Just then, Megan burst out of the elevator, soaking wet and red-eyed.

"Derek... something's wrong, the warehouse flooded!"

"Mr. Quinn's... Mr. Quinn's exhibition piece... it was moved to the warehouse, and the water ruined it! What do we do?"

Derek's eyes flickered with panic, but he immediately bent down to comfort her.

"It's fine. It's just a painting. Look at you, you're soaking wet."

A buzzing filled my head. I couldn't breathe.

"Why was the painting in the warehouse?"

"Is that how you take care of my father's work? Do you have any idea how valuable that painting is!"

Derek shoved me aside and stepped in front of Megan.

"Isn't this exactly what you wanted? Everyone knows your father's last work is the most valuable. Too bad it's ruined now.

"Keep this up, and you might lose his gallery too."

"Vivian, be smart about this. I'm still willing to help you."

Tears streamed down my face.

He knew I valued my father's paintings more than my own life.

The gallery too. They were my father's life's work.

"Derek, how could you face him?"

His hand paused on Megan's hair. When he spoke, his voice was flat, unreadable.

"I know plenty of artists who can help. After all, you're my fian..."

The lock clicked shut behind me.

Outside, the storm had paused. But inside me, love had given way, and hatred swallowed me whole.

I texted my lawyer right away.

"Get the lawsuit ready."