Chapter 3 The Murdering Lover

Heavy breathing and quiet moans assailed my ears like sharp blades.

"This is the first time we're doing this in his bed. I hope it can stay like this forever."

"Quiet down. He's right next door."

"Hey, it's normal for a couple to do this. Doesn't matter if he finds out."

I pressed myself tightly against the wall and bent over, retching silently. I covered my mouth, afraid they would hear me.

The reluctance and sliver of hope I had been holding on to slowly died.

The two of them were in there, going at it, while I remained standing for a long, long time. Long enough for my tears to soak the divorce papers. Long enough for the sounds behind the door to finally fade.

I stayed awake the whole night. It was when daylight came that I finally signed my name on the papers. Perhaps that decision was wrong in the first place.

The day after I signed the papers, I visited Delilah at the hospital. She was Josephine's mother and one of the only people who were nice to me after my parents died.

Her greatest wish had always been to see Josephine and me have a child. Sadly, that wish would never come true.

The moment she saw me, Delilah cried and pulled me into her arms.

"Josephine told me you did it willingly. I don't have much time in this world anymore, and you gave me your kidney. How on earth will you live on?"

I opened my mouth. Only then did I realize Josephine had not told her about my supposed memory loss.

I stared at her for a while and hesitated before I spoke. "Thanks for everything, Delilah. I only wanted to repay the favor."

Her smile died a little, then she looked behind me. "Are you two fighting? I'll help you. Tell me everything."

My eyes stung, and my hands clenched. "Josephine and I are about to get a d—"

Someone flung the door open. Henry seemed to know I had come to the hospital. He looked at me and nodded with realization. "I knew you were faking your memory loss. Trying to have her mother take your side, huh?"

His tone was full of mockery. With the slight lift of his chin, the marks on his neck nearly showed.

Delilah froze up for a moment and looked at me. She wanted my explanation, but Henry gave me no such opening. He made it a point to humiliate me.

"Mrs. Gillard, or should I call you mother-in-law? Josephine and I have been together for five years and just had our child. You can see the child once you're discharged."

Delilah sat up straighter, and the machines wheezed. "No! My daughter would never do this! Her marriage has always gone well! Who are you?"

Henry let out a sarcastic laugh and tossed a DNA report toward Delilah.

"I've been her lover for five years. Hidden, yes, but real. Whether you believe it or not doesn't matter. She had my child, and that child is part of your family."

Every word drilled more pain into Delilah's soul. She had raised Josephine herself. In her eyes, her daughter had always been upright, loyal, and decent.

That was why Josephine never allowed Henry to show up around Delilah.

Now Delilah's chest was heaving from rage, and her breathing was turning ragged. I rang the bell right away.

"Delilah? Delilah!"

Delilah gripped my hand tightly, struggling to breathe. Then her strength gave out, and she fainted.

Henry sneered. "She's long past her expiry date. Better if she died now."

Something in me snapped. I swung my fist right into his temples, venting all my rage and resentment on him.