Chapter 4

The next morning, I went to the network to hand over my remaining assignments.

When I returned home, Becky and Daniel were there.

Their newly issued marriage certificate lay on the table.

Becky rested her head on Daniel’s shoulder.

“Daniel, am I being selfish? If it weren’t for the baby, we would never have gotten married. Gem is supposed to be your wife.”

Daniel wrapped an arm around her.

“Then, we will just have to treat her even better from now on.”

I curled my hands into fists and walked into the room.

The moment they saw me, they sprang apart.

Becky quickly stood and tried to explain.

“Gem, it’s not what you think. I…”

I ignored her and went straight to my room to get my luggage.

Becky followed me inside. When she saw my suitcase, she grabbed my hand as tears spilled down her cheeks again.

“Gem, where are you going? I’ll leave instead. Please don’t do this.”

I sidestepped her and dragged my suitcase toward the front door.

She chased after me and blocked my path.

“Gem, I want you to be happy more than anyone, but I can’t let Daniel go either. I’m sorry. Just give me some time.”

She had slept with my fiance behind my back and gotten pregnant.

On top of that, she wanted me to give her time.

I was so furious that I laughed through my tears.

“Move.”

She kept grabbing at me.

The struggle continued until we reached the top of the stairs.

“Gem, you…”

I finally snapped and tore myself out of her grip with all the strength I had.

“Get away from me! I don’t want to hear it!”

Becky lost her footing and toppled backward.

She tumbled down the stairs. Blood soon began pooling beneath her.

Daniel came rushing over. Then, he shoved me aside without hesitation as I stood there in shock.

“Have you lost your mind?”

He scooped her into his arms and ran for the door.

The force of his shove sent me crashing to the floor. Pain blotted out my vision.

Becky lost the baby.

She sobbed inconsolably in her hospital room.

Both families crowded around her, murmuring words of comfort.

The instant I stepped into the room, Mom slapped me hard.

“How could my daughter be so cruel?”

Daniel held Becky in his arms and glared coldly at me.

“Gem, I’ve never been more disappointed in you. You couldn’t even leave an innocent baby out of this?”

Stephanie joined in. “Bec already promised that she would divorce him. What more did you want? That was my grandchild.”

I was about to say, “I didn’t push her.”

Once again, Becky answered before I could.

“It’s not Gem’s fault. I lost my balance.”

Daniel took her hand. “Bec, stop covering for her. Haven’t you done enough for her over the years?”

Every ounce of tenderness in his eyes, every instinct to protect, was reserved for her.

He had not even flinched when Mom slapped me.

Mom glared at me. “Apologize to Bec. Now.”

“Mom, you all have it wrong! Gem didn’t push me!”

The more Becky tried to defend me, the more convinced everyone became that I had pushed her.

Not one of them was ever going to believe me.

I stared at her and enunciated every word with deliberation. “Why should I apologize?”

Mom froze, then lunged at me and raised her hand again.

I fought back my tears. For the first time in my life, I stood up to her. My eyes were burning red.

“I’ll say it again. I didn’t push Becky. I’m your biological daughter. Why won’t you believe me?”

“You…”

Mom’s face turned crimson.

She pointed a trembling finger at me. She suddenly struggled to breathe and collapsed.

The ward erupted into chaos once again.

Mom was rushed away for emergency treatment.

Richard turned on me as well.

“Gemma, do you have to keep tearing this family apart? Are you trying to give your mother a heart attack?”

The ward door had been left open.

People passing in the hallway peered inside and whispered among themselves.

I heard someone mutter, “What a heartless daughter.”

Another said that I deserved to be alone.

Disgusted stares seemed to pierce me from every direction.

I clenched my fists, but the heartache had stolen my voice again.

Daniel looked exhausted, but his first words were still an accusation. “Gem, you shouldn’t have spoken to your mother that way. You never used to be like this.”

He was right. The old me had been as silent as a statue.

I never talked back.

I never dared to upset anyone.

All I did was simply stand there and let them berate me.

However, I did not want to remain silent any longer.

I turned away and pushed through the crowd toward the exit.

Several people called after me, but I did not look back.

I hailed a cab and headed straight for the airport.

A coworker joining me on the overseas assignment texted me.

[Gem, our flight leaves in an hour. Don’t be late.]

I wiped away my tears and sent a reply.

[Okay.]

Then, I turned my phone off.

When the plane touched down, missed calls and messages flooded as soon as I turned my phone on.