Evelyn didn’t go back to the hospital room. Instead, she hailed a cab and went home.
By the time Brandon opened the door that evening, she had just finished zipping up her suitcase shut.
Without looking up, she said, “Your mom broke three plates again today. Said I’d never be as thoughtful as
Vanessa.”
Brandon loosened his tie, his voice tinged with impatience. “She’s been sick for two years. Her temper’s
bound to be bad. Can’t you cut her some slack?”
“Let her?” Evelyn gave a dry laugh, lifting the dress stained by this morning’s chicken soup. “She threw this
at me. On purpose.”
“That’s enough!” Brandon snatched the dress from her hand and flung it onto the bed. “Evelyn Parker, you
didn’t used to be like this!”
“What was I like before?” She shot to her feet, her eyes burning. “The version of me who got up at five every morning to cook porridge for your mom? Or the one who scrubbed the floor on her knees while she called me
a curse on the family?”
Brandon’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He looked away. “You know why she ended up paralyzed.”
The air fell silent.
Evelyn’s nails dug into her palm.
That phone call.
Two years ago. They had just made love. The call came through right after.
“Don’t answer,” she’d said, barefoot on the carpet, arms wrapped around his waist. “It’s our
anniversary…”
He had hesitated. Then leaned down and kissed her. “Just one minute.”
“You always say that!” she snapped, grabbing his phone and smashing it to the floor. “She’s faked illness so many times–if you answer that call tonight, we’re done!”
She still remembered the look in his eyes.
Shock. Frustration. Resignation.
He sighed, picked up the phone, set it aside, and held her. “Alright. I won’t answer.”
But the next day, they found out Olivia had suffered a brain hemorrhage that night. No one answered the phone. They’d missed the window for emergency treatment. She was paralyzed.
“Yes,” Evelyn said hoarsely. “I owe her. That’s why I’ve spent the last two years being her servant. Getting food thrown at me. Letting Vanessa order me around like I’m the maid. That’s what I deserve, right?”
Chapter 2
7.69%
Brandon suddenly ran his fingers through his hair, agitated. “Vanessa’s moving in tomorrow.”
“What?”
“My mom likes her.” His tone softened, like he was coaxing a child. “Just for a few months. Once she stabilizes, Vanessa will move out.”
“Brandon Caldwell,” Evelyn interrupted quietly, “I went to the County Marriage Office today.”
His body tensed.
“The clerk said we have seven days left in our cooling–off period.” She looked him dead in the eye. “That document you gave me a month ago–was it the divorce agreement?”
“You found out!” He grabbed her wrist. “My mom threatened to kill herself. I just signed it to calm her
down!”
“You couldn’t even tell me?” She yanked her arm free. “Seven years together, and I’m not even allowed to
know I’m being divorced?”
Brandon snapped, “Do you have to be this harsh all the time? Do you have any idea how hard it is for me,
stuck in the middle?”
Evelyn froze.
Her mind drifted back to that first day he brought her home to meet his family. Olivia had dumped soup on
her in front of him and sneered, “The Caldwell daughter–in–law will only ever be Vanessa.”
That night, Brandon had held her on the balcony and whispered, “My mom’s just difficult. Please bear with
- it. It’s hard for me too.”
Later, when Olivia refused to attend their wedding, he held her hand and said, “She just needs time. Let’s be
patient.”
Then Olivia became paralyzed. Brandon got down on one knee and begged her to quit her job to help:
“Evelyn, no one else can do this but you.”
Every time, she gave in.
“Brandon,” she said softly, “do you still love me?”
He hesitated then blurted, “Of course I do!”
“Don’t make this harder than it already is, Evelyn.”
Her resistance collapsed. There were only seven days left anyway.
She nodded in silence.
“Vanessa will stay in the guest room,” he added stiffly. “Get some rest.”
The door shut.
Chapter 2
7.69%
Evelyn slumped onto the bed.
Moonlight spilled in through a crack in the curtains. She looked over at the dust–covered photo frame on the nightstand.
Brandon was giving her a piggyback ride by the ocean. Her skirt soaked by the waves, he’d turned around laughing and shouted, “Hold tight, Mrs. Caldwell!”
Seven years of love–vanished like seafoam.
She pulled out her phone and sent a message: “Seven days from now–come get me, just like we planned.”
Just as she hit send, a loud crash came from downstairs.
Chapter 2
