Javon and Cynthia were laughing and talking together.
In front of them, that knife felt as if it slashed straight through me, my heart torn into a thousand jagged pieces, the pain so sharp it curled in my stomach until I bent over the bedside, retching violently.
I didn’t close my eyes the entire night, my tears soaking through my clothes like a relentless storm.
The next morning, Javon, just as always, brought me a “heartfelt” breakfast.
So many varieties, American, Italian, soy milk, fried dough sticks, bread, egg tarts.
Before, I had thought this was his love for me. But now I understood, it was nothing more than indifferent, hollow gestures.
The memory of last night’s videos surged back, and I retched again.
Seeing me unwell, Javon looked stricken.
“Why are you still sick? It’s all my fault, I’ve made you suffer.”
“It’s nothing. I just want to go home.”
Javon’s expression froze for a brief moment.
“You just miscarried, and Mom’s not happy right now. If you go back, you’ll walk right into her anger. Better to wait a while, spare yourself from her temper.”
I didn’t reply, but from his face, I had already guessed enough.
That afternoon, when he wasn’t around, I packed my things and wheeled myself home.
The moment I entered, I saw Cynthia perched on Javon’s lap, the two of them laughing softly as they played with the child.
From the kitchen, Sharon, my mother-in-law, came out with a steaming bowl of vegetable soup, personally feeding it to Cynthia with gentle care.
The three of them, chatting, laughing, smiling together, looked every bit like a real family.
But the instant her gaze landed on me, Sharon’s eyes sharpened like blades.
“You unlucky bitch! You still have the face to come back? My son gives you fine food and comfort every day, and how do you repay us? A wretched, unlucky thing like you deserves to rot outside.”
“You knew you were pregnant, yet you kept leaping about like a fool. How many lives of the Davis family have you ruined already?! Why didn’t you fall to your death, you filthy wretch?!”
“I’m telling you, from today on, the only daughter-in-law I recognize is Cynthia. Get out right now, you’re dirtying my family’s home!”
Following Sharon’s gaze, Cynthia looked over, her eyes gleaming with pride.
“Godmother, don’t say that. Otherwise, if Addison gets jealous and spreads rumors outside that I’m seducing Javon, that wouldn’t be good.”
“I’d like to see her dare!”