“Are you hungry?” He went into the kitchen and returned with a delicate cake box. “I passed by the dessert shop—Sophie says their mango mille crêpe is the best. You should try it.”
The sight of the bright yellow mango slices instantly made my stomach churn with a familiar nausea. I was severely allergic to mango—once in college I’d nearly gone into anaphylactic shock after eating some. I had told him this more than ten times.
“I’m not eating that. It’s too rich,” I said, stepping back.
“Come on, you haven’t had much appetite lately.” He scooped up a bite and held it to my lips, his tone the coaxing sort you’d use with a child. “Sophie says sweets make people happy.”
The syrupy scent of mango hit my nose, and I jerked my head away. The cake smeared against my cheek, making him pause.
Before he could speak, his phone rang. Sophie’s saccharine voice floated out: “Daniel, thank you for the necklace you gave me. I love it.”
The image attached was of the necklace I’d admired in a store just last week—one he had dragged me away from, saying, “It’s impractical. We’ll buy a better one when we have money.”
Daniel hung up, coughing awkwardly. “It was for a client. Don’t overthink it.”
Seeing my mood sour, he added in a guilty tone, “The company’s having some cash flow issues. I mentioned it to Sophie, and she said she’d talk to her family about investing.”
I lifted my head sharply. Just yesterday, I had anonymously transferred five million into Daniel’s company account—my years of saved dowry—using an overseas account so he wouldn’t feel pressured.
I gave a cold, mocking smile, then pulled out the divorce agreement I’d prepared and slipped it among the hospital bills. “The hospital needs payment. Sign here.”
Eager to go see Sophie, Daniel didn’t even look before signing his name.
After Daniel Reed left, I took the signed divorce papers to the law firm to file for dissolution of the marriage.
The only things I hadn’t packed yet were my daughter’s belongings. As I sorted through them, memories of my little girl came flooding back. Holding her favorite stuffed bunny, I broke down in tears.
Suddenly, voices drifted in from outside—Daniel had returned, and with him was Sophie Lane.