Chapter 2

Half an hour later, I came across Annette's social media post.

She was sitting in the middle of a private dining room, beaming at the camera. Xavier stood behind her, holding her coat and purse.

She was even using his work phone to take the selfie, the same phone he never allowed Evan to touch.

But what caught my attention most was the bracelet on her wrist.

It had belonged to my mother, and I'd kept it tucked away as a treasured keepsake. I couldn't bring myself to wear it, planning to pass it down to Evan instead when he was older.

Xavier returned home late that night. When he saw me still sitting in the living room, he frowned.

"Annette sent you several messages. Didn't you see them?" he asked. "She thought you were upset with her and kept asking me about it on the way home. She tends to overthink things. You could've at least replied to her so she wouldn't get the wrong idea."

I looked at him. "Why was my bracelet on her wrist?"

"She needed some jewelry to go with her outfit tonight," he replied, his tone softening. "Since you keep yours tucked away and never wear it, I let her borrow it for the evening."

Ever since Annette came into our lives, he'd given me excuses like this more times than I could count.

When she needed a car, he expected me to hand over mine. When she said she was afraid of the dark, he took away Evan's favorite star projector. Whenever she needed something, he would cancel whatever plans he'd made with our son.

Every time I objected, he'd accuse me of being petty.

Now, even the bracelet my mother had left me as a keepsake meant nothing to Xavier.

The bedroom door opened, and Evan emerged, clutching his drawing.

"Daddy, can you look at it now?"

Xavier took the picture, his gaze settling on the words "Incoming call from Annette". His brows drew together.

"Who taught you to draw things like this?"

Evan shook his head frantically, but Xavier looked at me instead.

"Tania, if you're unhappy with me, you can tell me directly," he said. "Don't take your feelings out on our child or teach him to use tears and self-pity to get attention."

I stared at him in disbelief.

"That's it," he cut me off before I could respond, then glanced at Evan.

"Isn't Evan's kindergarten sports day tomorrow? Let's not argue about this in front of him. We should all get some rest."

"Are you going?" I asked.

"Of course."

…

The next morning, Xavier didn't show up until the family sports day had already begun.

"Daddy!" Evan rushed toward him, wrapping his arms around his leg. "You're finally here!"

Xavier bent down and gave him a quick hug.

"When have I ever broken a promise to you?"

His words sent me into a daze.

Indeed, he'd never broken a promise to Evan before Annette came along.

At Evan's first family sports day, Xavier had been away on a business trip when his flight was canceled. He'd taken an overnight train back just to make it in time, then crouched beside the track to tie Evan's shoelaces.

On weekends, he'd spend entire afternoons building toy castles out of blocks with Evan. I'd lean against his shoulder and watch them until Evan eventually fell asleep in our arms.

Back then, we'd been the kind of happy family others envied.

When the relay race began, Evan ran with everything he had. He wasn't particularly fast, but he gritted his teeth and kept going until he finished his leg of the race.

Just as he handed the relay baton to Xavier, Xavier's phone rang.

He glanced at the screen, and his expression changed.

"Annette?"

Muffled sobs came through the phone as Annette explained that she'd caught her hand in a door and was too scared to go to the hospital alone.

"She's a grown woman," I said, incredulous. "Does she really not know how to get herself to a hospital?"

Evan immediately grabbed the hem of Xavier's shirt.

"Daddy, can you finish the race first?" he pleaded. "It'll only take a little while."

"Be good, Evan." Xavier crouched down, stroking Evan's cheek. "There'll be plenty more sports days in the future."

Then he handed the relay baton to Beatrice.

Evan still clung to Xavier, but he gently pried his small fingers loose.

"I'll be right back."

With that, he turned and walked away.

Evan stood frozen for two seconds, then suddenly broke free from me and dashed after him.

"Daddy!"

"Don't be scared," Xavier cooed, soothing Annette over the phone. "I'm coming to get you now."

He didn't even look back.

As Evan hurried down the steps, he missed a step and fell, striking his head on the ground.

He cried out. I rushed over and scooped him up. There was a deep cut on his knee, and blood ran down his shin.

By then, Xavier had already gotten into his car.

The door slammed shut, and only then did Evan finally burst into tears.

The school nurse examined his injury and immediately told me to take him to the hospital.

"The wound is too deep. He might need stitches."

I had no choice but to carry Evan out and hail a taxi by myself.

During the ride, he clutched my hand, biting his lips until they turned pale.

After the wound was treated, I helped him to the pharmacy to collect his medication.

As soon as the elevator doors opened, I saw Xavier wheeling Annette out in a wheelchair. A small cake dangled from his other hand, while she had a Band-Aid on her wrist.

His expression hardened when he saw us.

"What are you doing here with Evan?"

"Did you buy out the entire hospital for Annette or something?" I asked, huffing.

Tears immediately welled up in Annette's eyes.

"Tania, I'm so sorry. I had no idea Evan was hurt so badly."

"Don't make a scene at the hospital," Xavier warned, frowning at me.

Just then, Evan trudged toward him.

"Daddy, I got stitches."

He reached down and tried to pull up his pant leg to show Xavier the wound.

Suddenly, Annette clutched her wrist.

"Xavier, my wrist feels numb."

"Where does it feel numb?" he asked, immediately turning to her. "I'll take you back to the doctor."

Evan froze. Then, without saying a single word, he lowered his pant leg.