Chapter 2

The affection in Martin's voice made my blood run cold. I never could have imagined that while Claire's body was barely cold, he would still have the mind to flirt with Waverly.

Claire must have known he had changed, which was probably why she was willing to let me go.

I stood in the doorway with my hair disheveled, blocking Martin and Waverly from entering. "Martin! What do you think you're doing? That's Mom's bedroom!"

The moment he saw me, Martin quickly released Waverly's hand, which had been intertwined with his.

Waverly looked at me with a smile plastered across her face."Oh! Isn't Mrs. Hughes Senior in the hospital? How did you still find time to nap at home?"

Martin's expression immediately darkened."Stella, look at how pathetic your lies are! You used Mom as an excuse just to get me to come back. She raised you for nothing!"

The fact that those words came out of Martin's mouth was something I could barely believe. He would rather believe I was lying to him than accept that Claire had actually been critically ill.

Looking at Waverly standing beside him, I covered my face and let out a bitter laugh.

Perhaps noticing my bloodshot eyes, Martin's tone softened somewhat. "Look, I know I've been too busy lately and haven't given you much attention. You've seen me now, so you can go to the hospital. As for Mom... I'm planning to move her to a nursing home soon anyway. The room will be empty, so we might as well let Waverly stay there for a while."

My voice choked with tears as I spoke for Claire's sake. "Martin, get out. Don't let Waverly dirty Mom's room. Is she staying here? Not in your wildest dreams!"

Waverly's eyes held a mocking glint, though her tone pretended to be pitiful. "If Stella doesn't like me, then forget it. She's probably still mad that you didn't rush back when Mrs. Hughes Senior was hospitalized the other day! I'm so sorry, Stella... It's all my fault. I shouldn't have gotten sick, then Martin could have made it back in time."

As she spoke, she lifted her chin like some kind of victor.

Martin immediately jumped to her defense. "Waverly doesn't know anyone in this city except me. If I don't help her out as a fellow hometown friend, what's she supposed to do? Can you stop being so petty? Besides, we're just colleagues. I'm the director, and she's an intern nurse. What could possibly happen between us?"

I knew Martin had always been sentimental about old connections, and I had even told him I would not get jealous if he helped her out. Whenever I had time, I even helped him take care of Waverly myself.

However, Martin had taken my generosity for granted. Once he realized I would not get jealous, he started pushing the boundaries even further.

Everyone at the hospital knew that Martin and Waverly were practically inseparable, like a couple.

After he stayed out all night because of Waverly yet again, I decided to have a serious talk with him. Yet, he had exploded like a cornered animal, lashing out in defensive anger.

"Stella, come on. You see dirt in everything because your own head's full of it. We grew up together, and you know me. Waverly's like a little sister to me, nothing more."

Back then, tears had filled my eyes. I had never seen any "little sister" hold hands going to and from work, let alone sleep in the same bed.

I could not help but fire back sarcastically. "I don't care if you're her big brother or her lover. It has nothing to do with me. But right now, neither of you is touching anything in Mom's room!"

At those words, the anger in Martin's voice became impossible to suppress. "Stella, so I didn't make it to the hospital on time. What are you yelling about? Can you stop acting like some crazy woman spouting nonsense? There's nothing between us! I only see her as a sister. You're the one who's narrow-minded and paranoid! If you keep making a scene over nothing, I'm going to have to consider divorcing you!"

If this had been before, I would have backed down immediately. But now, all I had left was blazing anger and bitter amusement.

I laughed coldly. "You don't need to say it. I already took back the family heirloom from our marriage, so just wait to sign the divorce papers."

Martin's eyes flashed with panic when he saw the antique locket in my hand, but that quickly turned to anger. "Stella! Using Mom to trick me wasn't enough; now you're trying to threaten me with divorce?"

The warm touch of the antique locket felt just like Claire holding my hand, making my eyes well up with tears. "Martin, do you still think I'm lying to you even now? In seven years of marriage, have I ever neglected Mom once? But ever since Waverly came back, you stopped caring about anything at home.

"Am I the one lying? You were the one who begged to marry me back then, and now you think I'm threatening you with our marriage? Everyone can see how close you and Waverly have gotten. I don't believe you haven't heard the gossip. Forget it... I'm exhausted. Just go. I want to spend some time with Mom."

Martin's face went pale, and his eyes filled with nervous tension as he looked at me. "Stella, you need to tell me. What happened to Mom?"