“Fell? Ha! And the five handprints on your face? Did you fall into those too? Show me how you did that!” Ethan scolded, his heart aching for her.
“Your sister is gone, so I have to take care of you now. But you can’t let yourself be bullied like this.”
“Yes, Sophie, Mommy was too much. Your calf is bleeding. You need the infirmary to remove the glass. Otherwise, you’ll scar and won’t look good in skirts anymore.” Lily added.
“Mommy, you should apologize.”
Sophie put on her innocent act. “Don’t say that, Lily. She’s your mother. You can’t talk to her like this. What if she gets mad and forces you to eat broccoli again?”
“Even if she does, I’ll still speak the truth. My teacher said justice must always defeat evil.” Lily said firmly.
My heart shattered as I looked at her.
“Lily, between Aunt Sarah and Aunt Sophie, you’d choose them over me, your mother, wouldn’t you?”
Lily said, “Of course. You treat me so badly, forcing me to jump out the window, forcing me to eat broccoli. Aunt Sophie and Aunt Sarah were so kind, always giving me burgers. Who do you think I’d choose?”
I looked at Lily in disappointment.
“Remember what you said today, Lily.”
“What, even your own daughter has to bully and threaten you now?” Ethan shouted angrily.
“I’ll deal with you later. If you don’t apologize, don’t expect me to pay your medical bills.”
He picked Sophie up and was about to leave. I stopped him.
“So if I don’t apologize, you won’t pay my medical bills, right?”
“That’s right!”
“Fine. Then let’s divorce. Sign the papers. I’ve already signed.”
I handed Ethan the divorce agreement.
Sophie sneered, “Maybe she just wants half the property. My sister swore she saw Emily with another man.”
“That’s impossible!” Ethan snapped. “Half the assets? Dream on.”
I gave a cold laugh. “Do you think I care? Look at the terms.”
He read them, his face changing.
“What? You’d rather walk away with nothing than stay married to me?”
“That’s right. I don’t want anything.”
“Just a trick to lure me in, huh?” Sophie said.
“Think what you like. Just sign.”
“No,” Ethan said. “We’ll talk when I get back.”
Then he walked out carrying Sophie. Lily followed.
I watched Lily’s back as she left. My daughter—you’ve lost me completely.
At midnight, Daniel Smith, Jessica’s brother and my former admirer, came to see me. He was shocked when he saw me.
“How did you end up like this? Ethan, that bastard! I could kill him.”