Chapter 3

My friend, Irene Hogan, called later that day.

"Alba, I've found someone who can put you in touch with one of the best psychiatrists abroad."

"There's no need. I'm getting a divorce."

Silence settled over the line.

Irene didn't press me for an explanation or ask what had happened. After a moment, she simply said, "If you've made up your mind, I'll be waiting for you here."

I thanked her and ended the call.

Outside, dark clouds hung low over the city, threatening rain.

"It's going to rain," I murmured.

For the rest of the day, I focused on wrapping up the studio's affairs and arranging to dissolve the business. Once everything was settled, I returned home to pack my belongings.

By nightfall, the rain was coming down in sheets, just as I'd predicted.

It was nearly ten when Barney finally returned. He was soaked through, but he'd kept Hailey tucked safely under his arm to shield her from the rain.

"The weather is awful," he muttered as he stepped inside.

He barely glanced at himself before turning to me. "Go get Hailey a towel. There are clean ones in the cabinet on the left side of the guest bedroom. And make her some tea while you're at it. She needs something warm."

"It's fine," Hailey said quickly. "I shouldn't bother Alba with something so minor. I can do it myself."

But then, she sneezed, and Barney hurried over to her side.

"What are you standing there for?" he snapped at me. "Hurry up! What if Hailey catches a cold and ruins her voice?"

I didn't argue.

I simply went to the guest bedroom to fetch a towel, but the moment I opened the door, the sight of Hailey's belongings filling the room made me stop.

This was supposed to be the nursery which Barney and I had planned back when we got married. Now, all that space had been given over to another woman.

But it was fine. We weren't going to need a nursery anymore.

I stood there for a moment, then swallowed the ache in my chest and picked up a clean towel.

When I returned, I handed the towel to Hailey.

"Here."

"Thanks, Alba!"

She gave me a sweet smile, and I managed a polite one in return before heading into the kitchen to make tea. Perhaps after this, I could finally stop doing things for Barney.

As I zoned out, a sudden, sharp pain shot through my fingertip, making me gasp.

So, I had accidentally sliced my finger while chopping ginger. I instinctively turned to look at Barney, ready to ask him for a Band-Aid, but the words died on my lips.

He was standing beside Hailey, gently drying her hair with the towel while she giggled. Then, as if they were the only two people in the room, he draped the towel over both their heads and leaned down to kiss her.

Blood trickled from my finger onto the floor, but I barely noticed. The sight of them together hurt far more than the cut, leaving me with the hollow feeling that something inside me had finally broken.

When I carefully carried the pot over to the table, Hailey was still laughing as she playfully dodged Barney, and before either of us could react, she backed straight into me.

"Hailey, watch out!" Barney shouted in alarm.

The pot tipped, sending scalding tea splashing across my arm and leg. A burst of searing pain shot through me, and I cried out as I staggered backward.

Barney didn't even look at me at first. He caught Hailey in his arms and checked her from head to toe, panic written all over his face.

"Are you hurt?"

Watching him fuss over her while I stood there in agony, I felt the last warmth in my heart slowly fade.

"I'm fine, but Alba..." Hailey whimpered.

Only then did Barney turn to me. My arm and leg were already turning red, with angry blisters rising across my skin.

"Alba, are you okay?" he asked.

I clenched my teeth against the pain, cold sweat breaking across my forehead. When he reached for me, I recoiled.

"Don't touch me."

"Don't be mad. Hailey didn't mean to do it. I'll take you to the ER."

He reached for his car keys just as lightning flashed outside. A few seconds later, thunder crashed overhead, rattling the windows.

Hailey screamed and buried herself against Barney's chest. When she finally pulled away, her eyes were red and watery.

"I'm sorry. I just lost my composure. Alba got hurt because of me. You should take her to the hospital right away. I'll stay here, so don't worry about me."

Barney hesitated, his gaze shifting between us. For a moment, I thought he might finally make the right choice.

"Alba, I'll call an ambulance," he said at last. "I'm not a doctor, so even if I go with you, there isn't much I can do. But Hailey is different. She gets scared easily and can't take care of herself. I'm worried something might happen if I leave her here alone."

I stared at him, hardly able to believe what I'd just heard.

I looked him straight in the eye and asked, "And what about me?"