Chapter 4 Apparent Death

"Calm down. Listen to me, Yvonne." Daniel tried to hold me, but I flung his hand away. "Jessica's parents are gone. She'd be spending Christmas at the hotel alone, and Edward didn't want that."

He frowned and asked Edward to go back to his room.

Edward did not move. "I'm fine with the divorce. I'm staying with Dad."

He noticed Jessica fidgeting, so he quickly hugged her leg and glared at me. "Don't go, Mommy Jessica! Mom, you can't yell at her!"

"Edward Hampton!" Daniel snapped his name sharply.

Edward flinched.

Then, he shot me a dark look before Daniel took him into the bedroom.

My heart had already been hurting for so long that the pain was beginning to turn numb. Ever since Edward returned from Brundela in autumn, something about him had been different. He often seemed distracted. Whenever I asked what was wrong, he refused to tell me.

Daniel comforted me and talked to Edward, then the boy apologized. He looked like he had gone back to normal, but I could feel that he was keeping his distance from me. I tried to figure out the reason, but him having a new mother was not even on the list.

The air itself turned tense. Daniel said solemnly, "I won't get that divorce. You're the most important person in my life, and I love you the most."

"I don't love you anymore, Daniel."

He scoffed. "Don't say anything you'll regret. You said the same thing last time, but you still couldn't leave me."

That stabbed my already battered and sliced up heart. I inhaled sharply and clutched my throbbing belly, and I shivered uncontrollably.

He looked heartbroken for me, and he grabbed my arms. "That wasn't what I meant. I've barely slept these last few days, so I wasn't thinking before I spoke. What I meant was I couldn't live without you. No one can replace you."

I sneered. Even at this point, he did not promise he would cut off all ties with that woman. He brought her home instead. He was serious about her, and he could not let her go. I should bless them.

I picked up the papers again. Frustrated, he grabbed my wrists. "Do you want this signed, or do you want your mother to live?"

That was another bloody stab at my heart. I clenched my teeth. "I want that divorce."

He breathed heavily, and the veins in his forehead throbbed. "Then, you'll have to pay me back the money I spent on treating your mother. I know you're sad. Veronica just died, and you're not thinking right. Take your time. We'll talk after the holidays."

He turned and summoned Edward.

Then, they left, leaving me broken.

Daniel ordered a delivery for me on Christmas Eve. He and my mother loved it, but I was allergic to it.

Their little family of four were having dinner at the top floor of a hotel. Jessica held an ultrasound image over her stomach. Daniel and Edward kissed her cheeks. They beamed, their eyes filled with happiness.

Edward then sent me a photo of Daniel sleeping on that woman's lap. His face had doodles of black circles and cat whiskers all over it.

He 'kindly' texted me, "Mommy Jessica has a baby girl in her belly. Dad said we'll be together forever. Merry Christmas!"

The world turned silent all of a sudden. My mind was buzzing with the sight of their happiness. Then, I made a call. "Pick me up."

I stepped over the divorce papers. Daniel refused to end our marriage. Fine. Once I died, the marriage would dissolve itself.

…

Daniel was asleep for more than ten hours, and he woke up with a start. Then the phone on his nightstand buzzed. It was happening just like the dream told him it would, and his heart began to thump.

He saw the name on the screen—Honey. His heart sank. A man's voice spoke. "Are you Yvonne Zimmer's family? Someone found her phone at the beach. They saw her drowning herself in the sea.