despicable
actions a secret. If not, we’ll expose everything to the public.”
“Karen has given him years of her life. Even if he won’t acknowledge her sacrifices, surely he won’t let this disgrace ruin his family name?”
“If you insist on being heartless, don’t blame us for doing the same.”
It was the first time I had ever felt my parents genuinely stand by my side. For once, they weren’t forcing me into submission, but instead, fighting for my justice. A small, relieved smile tugged at my lips.
A few days later, my lawyer called. “Ferry is relenting. But he wants to see you one last time.”
I let out a cold laugh. “No. There’s nothing left to say.”
And just like that, Ferry signed the divorce papers from his hospital bed. When my parents arrived at William’s place with the official documents in hand, I nearly jumped for joy.
My mother, her lips curled into a teasing smirk, raised an eyebrow at me. “Guess what other good news we have for you?”
I hesitated. I had never been able to fully grasp what my parents were thinking, so I simply shook my head. She grinned. “Your father and I have decided to retire and move in with you.”
My excitement froze in an instant. I stared at them in shock, my face stiff with dread. Even though they were smiling, the idea of having them constantly hovering over me sent an instinctive wave of resistance through me.
Noticing my reaction, my mother burst into laughter. “I was joking! Look at you.”
She nudged my father playfully. “As if your father could ever abandon his precious company. We’re just here on vacation–and maybe to do a little investigating along the way.”
Her gaze subtly flickered toward William. I knew exactly what she was implying, but I was too relieved to care. “Long live Mom!” I cheered, pulling her into a hug.
Meanwhile, the Zach Family was in turmoil. Gossip ran rampant and Ferry had become a shell of his former self. Since the divorce, he barely left the house, handing off most of his work to others.
As for Chindy, she seemed to have lost all dignity. Every day, she loitered outside my old home, waiting for me, and every night, she stood outside the Zach residence, pleading for Ferry to marry her.
The media had a field day capturing footage of their pitiful interactions. In one viral clip, Ferry, looking gaunt and exhausted, shoved Chindy to the ground with a cold expression. But then, unexpectedly, news broke that the Zach Family was preparing for a wedding.
Two months passed. My parents, having enjoyed their stay, decided to return home. When they heard about the upcoming Zach wedding, they insisted on attending.
Before they left, they pulled William and me aside.
“We approve of your marriage,” my father said solemnly.
Then, turning to William, he added, “But you better make my daughter happy.”
I had been waiting for this day for so long. The very next day, after sending my parents off, William and I applied for our marriage license.
Years passed, and with careful medical care, I was finally able to conceive. Three years into our marriage, I gave birth to a baby girl. She had big, sparkling eyes–just like me.
William leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. “She looks like you. Beautiful.”
Then he whispered, “You’ve worked so hard, my love.”
That same day, the Zach Family once again made headlines.
Chindy had posted a single, damning sentence on social media.
[What you don’t know is that years ago, Ferry poured contraceptives into Karen’s folic acid bottle and fed them to Henfor three years.]
I read the news and merely shook my head. The truth has a way of coming to light. But it no longer concerned
- me. Instead, I turned my gaze toward my daughter, lying in her crib, happily playing with her tiny hands. And then to my husband, who was busy preparing her formula.
“Hubby,” I called softly. “I want spicy crawfish.”
He smiled. “I’ll make it for you right after I finish this.”
Looking back, rediscovering William was the best decision of my life.
(The End)
