A Vengeful Ex-Wife novel Chapter 100

After Ethan explained what they were talking about, James' expression softened a little.

He touched Ethan's head lovingly. Ethan looked up at him, astonished. "It'll be good to have a son like you," said James.

This was the second time tonight that Ethan had been flabbergasted. And this time thanks to James. Was James taking advantage of him as well? When he had that thought, Ethan immediately shook off his hand and complained, "You two take turns bullying me! Quit it!"

A rare glint of amusement appeared in James' eyes.

Noticing this, Ethan was freaked out. "James, stop looking at me like that. It makes me think you're gay. Stop it!" Ethan didn't know whether or not James was straight. But one thing Ethan was sure of was his own sexuality. He was only interested in women, not men.

Hearing his words, James' face darkened. "You have a death wish?"

"Oh, James! I'm sorry! Ouch! Don't tweak my ear, dude. That's so gay!"

James stewed silently. The Harkim stopped at an intersection, and James kicked Ethan out of the car a second time.

And this time, James went straight back to his own villa without looking back.

Rubbing his burning ears, Ethan was speechless. He had a shot at a ride home, but he blew it.

He was wondering if he should wait for Maria. He gave up on the idea when he thought about it. They were indeed heading different directions.

Suddenly, he recalled an ancient poem. "We're both at the mercy of this miserable life. Since we're here, seize the moment and ask no questions." He laughed at himself and hailed a taxi home.

Maria didn't think James would give her a ride to the hotel. After the Harkim drove away, she hailed a taxi as well.

The next morning, Maria went to a certain cemetery located in suburbia.

At 9 a.m., she was there, standing in front of a tomb. She wore a simple, off-the-rack dress of black silk. She had no earrings, bracelets, or makeup. Her shoes were not fancy either, made of white canvas.

Her backpack was made of canvas as well. It was brown and contained several toys and candies. Maria felt that this would be respectful to her late son. She loved him and missed him. This visit was not about her, it was about him. And she had dressed like this when the boy had been alive.

Scattering the toys and candies in front of the tombstone, Maria picked up a piece of fruit candy and peeled it. "Little one, I never let you eat candy before. It's bad for you. It makes you fat and gives you tooth decay. But you're almost seven now. You can eat candy. Have a taste."

She paused, trying to get her voice back. "It took me a long time to get these. They're made with fruit, and are the most expensive treats in the candy shop. You're my son, and you deserve nothing but the best." Maria couldn't continue and lost her voice, sobbing instead. 'Why didn't you give me more time to love you, Arthur?' she thought.

In the photo, Arthur stared at her with big eyes, his tiny hand in his mouth.

Maria fell to her knees. She touched the photo tenderly, and her heart felt like it had been torn into a million pieces. She could no longer hold back her tears. "Arthur, be my son in our next life, okay? I'll take good care of you."

It was cloudy that day and thick clouds surged together. It looked like it could rain at any moment.

She sat that way for a long time, till she heard someone's footsteps coming closer and closer. The man stopped, and looked at the motionless woman, his eyes darkening. Then he stared at his black patent leather shoes, unsure what to say next.

Finally, James bent down to put the model plane he had bought next a dinosaur doll.

James stepped back and gazed at the little boy's face in the photo. Memories flooded his mind unbidden. He had asked himself one question countless times over the years: would things be different if he had spent more time with his son?

The two adults at the gravesite didn't say a word to each other, lost in their own thoughts.

And maybe, at this exact moment, they could finally understand each other's pain. Maybe their hearts could be a bit closer.

After a long time, Maria slowly stood up. She was unsteady on her feet, because she had knelt down too long. The woman teetered back and forth, vertigo assaulted her and she started to fall over.

Out of the corner of his eye, James noticed something awry. His arms shot out, holding Maria up, preventing her from falling.

Feeling the warm embrace, Maria seized the moment and leaned against him till the dizziness passed.

As soon as the dizzy spell faded, she immediately left his arms. Without looking at him, she walked off and headed towards the cemetery gate to leave.