Chapter 1
After Mrs. Caldwell, Evelyn’s mother–in–law, faked being bedridden for the ninth time this year and tore up their marriage certificate again, she finally felt drained.
She looked down at the torn certificate in her hands. The bright red cover was still stained with the chicken soup her mother–in–law had just thrown at her.
Every time Olivia Caldwell, our Mrs. Caldwell, lost her temper, the marriage certificate was the first to
suffer.
“What are you staring at?” Olivia barked from the hospital bed, her voice shrill. “If it weren’t for you, you damn jinx, would I be stuck on this goddamn bed?”
Evelyn quietly picked up the shredded pieces from the floor, her finger sliced open by the sharp paper edge.
She said nothing, just gently wiped the oil splatter from her white dress.
“Don’t play the victim!” Olivia grabbed the water cup from her nightstand and hurled it at her. “Get out! I can’t stand the sight of you!”
The cup grazed Evelyn’s ear and shattered against the wall.
She slowly backed out of the room, gently closed the door, and leaned against the hallway wall, taking a
deep breath.
The smell of antiseptic filled her nose, dragging up countless days and nights she’d spent in this hospital.
She took out her phone and sent Brandon Caldwell a message,
“Honey, should we consider hiring a nurse? Your mom’s acting up again today…”
Message: Read. Reply: none.
Evelyn stared at the screen for ten minutes before locking her phone. She made up her mind to go to the County Marriage Office to get a new certificate.
There weren’t many people in the lobby.
She handed the torn certificate to the clerk. After glancing through it and checking the computer, the clerk
frowned.
“Ms. Parker, your divorce reflection period still has seven days left. You can’t reissue a marriage certificate right now.”
“Divorce?” Evelyn thought she’d misheard.
The clerk turned the screen toward her. “The system shows your husband filed for divorce. You’re currently in the mandatory reflection period.”
Her fingers gripped the edge of the counter so hard her knuckles turned white.
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Suddenly, she remembered the document Brandon had her sign a couple of weeks ago. He said it was a medical bill. She’d been too busy taking care of Olivia to read it–so she signed without looking.
The clerk gave her a sympathetic look. “Would you like to cancel the divorce application?”
Behind her, the people in line began whispering.
“Isn’t she the Caldwell daughter–in–law? Heard she’s been clinging to Brandon like a leech.”
“Exactly. Rumor has it if it weren’t for her, his mom’s legs might’ve recovered.”
Evelyn lowered her head and stared at the ring on her finger.
Her chest ached like something had pierced it.
“No,” she said softly. “So… seven days, and the divorce is finalized?”
The clerk nodded.
Evelyn turned and left as if fleeing, the scorching sun overhead doing nothing to chase away the chill that crept over her body.
She caught a cab back to Willow Creek Medical Center.
On the way, Brandon finally replied: “Busy with work. Let’s talk tonight.”
She opened their chat again and again, trying to ask him why–but never pressed send.
The hospital hallway was eerily quiet.
She stopped outside Olivia’s room. Laughter drifted out from inside.
Evelyn gently pushed the door open–and froze.
Olivia was standing at the bedside, firmly on both feet, happily spearing fruit with a fork.
Vanessa Hale sat nearby, peeling an apple. And Brandon–the man who claimed to be busy–was gently massaging his mother’s shoulders.
“That pretending–to–be–paralyzed trick was brilliant,” Olivia chuckled smugly. “That stupid girl would never guess I’ve been walking just fine for a while now.‘
“Don’t say that, Mrs. Caldwell,” Vanessa pouted sweetly. “Evelyn’s been working so hard to take care of you.”
“She owes me!” Olivia snapped. “If she hadn’t stopped Brandon from picking up my call that night, would I have been stuck here this long?”
Evelyn’s grip on the doorframe tightened.
She looked at Brandon. His expression was conflicted, but he said nothing.
“Didn’t she already sign the divorce agreement?” Olivia asked. “Why the hell is she still hanging around?”
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“We’re still in the cooling–off period,” Brandon said quietly, “and…”
“And what?” Olivia cut him off sharply. “Don’t tell me you still have feelings for her! What does Vanessa lack compared to that woman?”
“Mom!” Brandon’s voice suddenly rose. “Let me handle the divorce. You just focus on resting.”
Olivia waved him off impatiently. “Whatever. The marriage is over anyway. If she wants to be a free nanny,
let her.”
Evelyn took a step back. Her vision blurred with tears.
So this was how she found out she was getting divorced–last.
She turned to leave.
Behind her, the laughter carried on.
Standing by the window, she pulled out her phone and dialed a number she hadn’t called in a long time.
“Hey. It’s me,” she said calmly. “Help me get out of here. As soon as possible.”
There was a pause on the other end. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” Evelyn looked out at the plane trees swaying in the breeze. “It’s been two years. I’ve repaid everything I owed that family.”
She hung up.
Then turned her head toward Olivia’s hospital room.
The laughter continued inside, warm and cheerful–like the sound of a happy home.
Only, that home had never included her.
Chapter 1
