Chapter 3

People all around me were stealing glances my way.

Some looked at me with sympathy. Others were openly enjoying the spectacle.

I ignored every last one of them. Keeping my eyes forward, I walked into the main house and handed Grandpa O'Neill his birthday gift.

"Happy eightieth birthday, Grandpa. Wishing you many more years of good health."

He smiled warmly. "Thank you, I appreciate it."

Claire came in a moment later, standing shoulder to shoulder with Kenneth. The two of them looked far more like a happily married couple than we ever did.

Grandpa O'Neill paused. Then he took Claire's hand and mine, placing them together.

"So? When are you two going to give me a great-grandchild?"

We both froze.

I pulled my hand away first. Ignoring Claire's surprised look, I said, "Grandpa, Claire and I..."

"Finley." Claire cut me off before turning back to Grandpa with a smile. "Don't worry. It won't be long."

Grandpa burst into laughter.

Claire grabbed my wrist and pulled me into the backyard. Her expression was dark, tinged with a frustration I couldn't quite place. "What were you about to say?"

"Tell Grandpa that we're getting divorced. That there won't be any children." My voice was flat.

Her lips pressed into a thin line. "Why are you bringing up divorce again? Didn't we agree to move past this? Finley, can you stop making a scene?"

I couldn't understand her. "If we've reached the point where we despise each other, why don't you just marry the man you actually love?"

"Despise you? I never..."

"Claire!" Kenneth's voice called from across the yard, cutting her off.

The tension between us only deepened.

Kenneth looked at me pitifully, biting his lip. "Finley, could you stop using Grandpa to threaten me?"

I frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Kenneth looked like he'd been wronged. "Weren't you about to tell Grandpa I ruined your marriage to Claire? You know Grandpa isn't in good health.

"I couldn't just stand by and watch you upset him. I'd have no choice but to leave Claire. That was your plan, wasn't it?"

I stared at him in disbelief. Then I laughed, not because it was funny but because it was absurd.

"You've been watching too much TV."

What a clumsy attempt to drive us apart. Who would actually fall for it?

"Finley." Claire's voice was low. "Is that true? Are you threatening me again?"

My lips parted.

She believed him.

I wanted to defend myself, but when I met the doubt in her eyes, every word died in my throat.

In the end, all I could say was, "Believe whatever you want."

I turned and walked away without looking back at the conflicted expression on her face.

The younger Finley's voice came through my earbuds.

"Don't be sad."

My nose stung. "I'm not. So listen to me. After your surgery, Claire is going to propose to you. When she does, don't say yes."

This time, he didn't hesitate. "I won't. I promise."

A weight lifted from my chest.

Not long afterward, once Grandpa O'Neill had cut the birthday cake, he retired to his room to rest.

The moment he was gone, everyone at the table stopped pretending.

"Look at him. The other guy practically showed up at his front door to steal his wife, and he's still too scared to do anything."

"Oh, come on, Melissa. You know how much Claire treasures Kenneth."

I listened without saying a word. My grip tightened around my fork before I slowly loosened it. I looked up with a cold smile.

"Melissa, you're one to talk. Doesn't your husband's son from his affair still live under your roof?"

Melissa O'Neill's face instantly darkened. "You... Finley! What does my family's business have to do with you?"

I met her glare without flinching. "And what does mine have to do with you?"

She had no answer.

An awkward silence settled over the table.

"That's enough, Finley," Claire cut in quietly.

I turned toward her. Only then did I notice her dress matched Kenneth's. She'd made her choice perfectly clear. That was why everyone felt so comfortable mocking me.

The strength drained from my hand. I set my fork down and murmured, "Claire, you're the last person who has the right to judge me."

Her expression tightened.

I stood and walked away. The emotions I'd been holding back finally broke free the moment I stepped outside the estate.

Tears streamed down my face. No matter how many times I wiped them away, they wouldn't stop.

The O'Neill estate was a long way from town. I walked alone. I'd never realized this road could feel so cold and lonely.

I looked up at the sky to see the sun shining brightly, yet I couldn't feel a trace of its warmth.

Then the younger Finley's choked voice came through my earbuds.

"Finley, Claire's back. She brought the doctor with her."