Chapter 4

I held Natalie in my arms while sitting on the couch at my parents' house. Mom had placed a soft cushion behind my back, but my hands were still cold.

Dad placed a cup of coffee next to me and said, "Stay here. I'd like to see if anyone tries to mess with you now."

I nodded.

I spent the next seven days marking each passing day on the calendar.

When Natalie's meet-the-baby celebration arrived, I insisted that we keep it simple and just have dinner as a family.

After the meal, my parents gave Natalie so many gifts that their hands were practically full.

They even brought out a pair of emerald pendants. "These were passed down from your great-grandmother. Only the eldest daughter in the Weber family gets to have them."

Natalie grabbed onto them happily and refused to let go.

Zane showed up too. He stood outside the Weber residence, but everyone inside ignored him.

Just after midnight, my phone screen lit up.

My heart pounded. A new comment appeared on Natalie's account.

"Mom, it hurts. Dad didn't come see me."

I felt a chill run down my spine. My fingers started shaking uncontrollably.

I stared at the comment. My breathing became frantic, as if someone had their hand around my throat.

Natalie had fallen down the stairs when she turned five.

I immediately called Zane.

He picked up after three rings.

The sound of men and women laughing in the background had barely faded when he answered. "Hello?"

"Meet me at the city county tomorrow at 9:00 am. If you don't show up, you'll never see Nattie again."

"Simone, you're—"

I hung up and gasped for air.

I didn't sleep that night.

…

At 9:00 am the next morning, I stood on the steps outside the city council with the divorce agreement in my hand. A breeze slipped through my collar, leaving my entire body cold.

Zane's car pulled over by the roadside.

The door opened. He stepped out of the car. Wanda followed behind him in heels.

Her eyes were red. It looked as if she had been crying.

Zane looked exhausted. He reached for my wrist. "Simone, please let me explain."

I broke free from his grip and took a step back. "Did you bring the agreement?"

Before he could answer, Wanda rushed over. Tears immediately spilled down her face.

"Mrs. Graham, this is just a misunderstanding. Mr. Graham and I aren't what you think," she stammered. "I'm just a student his family sponsored. He helped me because he felt sorry for me…"

Her shoulders shook as she cried. She reached out as if she wanted to grab my arm.

I looked at her face and recalled the comment on Natalie's account. "Aunt Wanda said I had to fall down the stairs one more time for Dad to come home."

My nails dug into my palm.

"Mrs. Graham, please don't divorce Mr. Graham because of me. Nattie is still so young."

She wiped her tears away and choked out, "I'll resign from the company and return the apartment. I truly don't want to ruin your family."

Zane stood beside her. He looked at me with a conflicted expression. "Simone, she already explained everything. Can you just—"

"Can I just what?" I retorted, staring straight into his eyes. "You brought her to the city council to explain what you've done. Do you really think I'll believe you?"

His face turned grim. After several seconds of silence, he finally broke the silence. "Fine. I'll give you what you want."

He grabbed the pen and signed the agreement. He used so much force that it nearly tore the paper.

I signed my name as well.

I felt a wave of relief wash through me the moment I was handed the divorce certificate.

The celebration was over.

I had ended the marriage.

I had also gotten custody of Natalie.

I had even prepared a will stating that if I died unexpectedly, my parents would automatically get custody of her. Zane wouldn't be able to claim her.

I had thought of everything. Had I saved Natalie?

When I left the city council, Zane turned to me. "Are you satisfied now?"

I didn't answer.

Just then, my phone buzzed in my pocket. The moment I pulled it out and saw the message, my blood ran hot.

I threw the phone at Zane.

"I'm going to kill you, Zane!"

Confused, he picked up the phone. The second he saw the message, his face turned deathly pale.