called Nicole “sister.” The hypocrite!
Mark raced to Daniel’s office. He grabbed
Daniel by the collar and punched him. “You son
of a bitch! I treated you like family, and you
were in love with my wife!”
Daniel wiped the blood from his lip and
smirked. “You were never worthy of being my
brother–in–law.” He gestured to Mark’s phone. “Check your messages with me.”
Confused, Mark opened his phone and scrolled through their chat history. His face paled. Taking your sister for her prenatal appointment. She’s got terrible morning sickness, refusing to eat. Can you go over?
She’s got postpartum depression. Take her on
a trip if you have time. I’m busy.
Nicole’s running a fever.
Nicole’s throwing a tantrum. I don’t have time
for this. Can you deal with her?
Nicole’s been in a car accident. Can you go to
the hospital?
Daniel had responded instantly to every
message. He’d never initiated contact, never
<
sought Nicole out. It had always been Mark,
asking him to step in.
Mark’s hands trembled. Daniel punched him
back, hard. Mark stumbled, grabbing the wall
for support.
“Get the message?” Daniel sneered. “I’ve been
wanting to do that for a long time. Where were
you when Nicky was giving birth? While your
wife and child were fighting for their lives, you
were watching Sarah’s concert in Europe.
Where were you when she was sick, upset? You
abandoned her time and time again. Did you
ever treat her like your wife?”
Mark’s lips twisted. He wanted to argue, but
the accusations were true. He felt suffocated,
his mind blank.
Hearing that Mark was at the office, causing a
scene, I rushed upstairs with security.
“Mark! What are you doing?” I shouted,
stepping out of the elevator.
Security restrained him. I stood in front of
Daniel, protectively. The bruise on his lip stood
out starkly against his pale skin. Tears welled in
hin
21422 Icantly tounhad his foon
<
his eyes. I gently touched his face.
“Is this how you behave?” I asked Mark, my
voice cold.
He swayed, seeing the disgust in my eyes. “Nicole, I’m hurt too…”
I turned away, pulling Daniel with me. “Security, escort him out. And don’t let him back in.”
Mark sent Alex to see me again, likely hoping to
leverage my maternal love. But I was no longer the woman he knew.
“Alex,” I said, “don’t come here anymore. Your
father and I are divorced. I’m not your mother anymore.”
His eyes widened in panic. “Mom, I want your… cooking. I want you to read me bedtime stories. I want you to cuddle me.”
“Anyone can do those things, Alex. You’re just not used to me being gone.”
I turned to leave. He grabbed my skirt, his voice trembling. “No, Mom! I really am sorry! It was just a prank. I don’t even like Sarah. I promise I’ll be good. Dad lied! He said you’d come back
when you remembered. But you do remember
me and you’re still leaving Mrs. Wang told me
