Patricia hesitated a bit, then replied, "Nelly is sweet and kind. It's natural for people to like her. But most importantly, she's your wife. I'll take good care of her. Once she moves in, I won't let her feel uncomfortable."
Marcus seemed satisfied with this, "Patricia, thanks a ton!"
Patricia paused again, "Marc, what's up with you today?"
Marcus glanced at his wristwatch, "Nelly should be waking up soon."
Patricia reassured him, "I know, don't sweat it. I've already prepared breakfast. Nelly will love it."
Just as Patricia left, a vibration from his personal phone in his pocket caught Marcus' attention. He quickly took it out. Sure enough, it was a message from Cornelia:
[Even if the whole world abandons you, I'll always be by your side.]
His eyes lingered on these words for a while, unable to move away. He clutched his phone tightly, as if he wasn't holding a phone, but Cornelia's hand.
He no longer had to worry about the people he cared about letting go of his hand and telling him emotionlessly, "You're over six years old, why are you still following me around? If you insist on following someone, go follow your mom. Oh, I almost forgot, your mom had a kid with another man and doesn't want you anymore."
The man forcefully pried open his little hand that was gripping his clothes. The look in his eyes was full of disgust, "Stop hovering around me, do you know how much you annoy me? Every time I see you, it reminds me of how I had to marry and have a child with a woman I didn't love."
Perhaps scared by the man's cold voice, the little baby who was playing with toys and still unsteady on his feet. He stumbled over, gripping the man's clothes and muttered, "Daddy, don't be angry."
The man became even more irritated, yelling at the little baby, "One isn't enough, and here comes another. Both of you scram!"
The man pushed the baby away and walked off, leaving them with the unforgettable sight of his heartless back.
Later on, he didn't see that couple at home for a long time.
He learned about their affairs from the news. He saw them appearing together in front of the media, playing the part of a loving couple, sharing parenting advice with the media. The more he saw, the sicker he felt.
When they returned home, they started arguing again. He heard the man roar, "Courtney, what the hell are you thinking? You think having two kids for me will change my mind? You think you can get half of our Hartley Group's wealth? These kids might not even be mine until the DNA results come out. Once the DNA tests prove they have no blood relation to me, you're leaving with them."
Courtney's voice was shrill, "You dare question me? Between us, who was the first to cheat? If you hadn't had a child with that woman, would I be with another man? Now you want to drive me away, dream on! If I can't be happy, neither can you!"
What followed were the man's furious roars, the woman's screams, and the sound of a vase shattering. The noise was constant, like a rowdy New Year's fireworks display.
Listening to the commotion from upstairs, the little baby stared with wide, tear-filled eyes, "Marc, Mom and Dad are fighting, I'm scared."
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Impulsive Vow to an Enigmatic Husband