But even after I'd laid everything bare, Vivian only let out a tired sigh.
「It's better that you know. At least now I don't have to keep stressing over hiding it.」
「The past is the past. From now on, neither of us brings it up again. We just live our lives. All right?」
I shook off his hand as he reached for me, my voice gone hoarse. : 「Do you actually think that's possible?」
「Either you sign, or I file and drag this out until everyone knows. Your choice.」
I turned and walked off. Vivian chased me a few steps before Rain grabbed him and pulled him back.
She didn't even have to say anything. Her eyes just went red, and all of his anger drained out of him as he started soothing her again.
And me, even with tears streaming down my face, nobody cared.
Several days passed, and Vivian still hadn't done a thing.
So I went and transferred Ian's enrollment record back myself, and printed out a few copies of the divorce papers while I was at it.
Once I got home, I planned to just take Ian and go.
But before I could even open the door, the neighbor lady rushed up to me, frantic. : 「Katherine, your husband just hauled Ian off by force.」
「There was a woman with him too, and something felt off about the whole thing. You'd better watch yourself!」
Something was wrong. I knew it instantly and bolted for the entrance of the complex.
Sure enough, there were Vivian and Rain, forcing a sobbing Ian toward the car.
In that instant every shred of reason left me. I rushed over, shoved Rain aside, and snatched Ian back.
When she fell, Vivian's face went dark at once. : 「Are you insane?!」
「Rain scars easily. She can't take the slightest injury. Do you have a death wish?!」
I ignored him, because Ian's face had gone a ghastly, impossible white, his breathing fast and shallow.
Only when he saw me did he manage to get the words out. : 「Mommy, my chest hurts so bad, I can't breathe.」
「Daddy said I was faking, but I wasn't……」
My son suddenly went limp, fainting right there in my arms, and the terror of it nearly knocked my legs out from under me.
But Vivian's eyes never left Rain and her sniffling. He scooped her up and walked away.
I clutched Ian and begged him through my tears to drive us to the hospital.
He just shoved us off and roared, : 「Knock off the act!」
「If Rain's injury doesn't heal right and she's left with a scar, you and I are not done!」
The car tore off again, right before my near-hopeless eyes.
And I, holding a child whose breaths were growing fainter and fainter, could only wave down car after car, helpless.
By the time Ian was finally rushed to the hospital and stabilized,
the doctor pulled off his mask and spoke gravely. : 「The boy's condition isn't good. If you want a real cure, you'll need to take him somewhere with more advanced care.」
I nodded numbly, looking at my sleeping son, and called my best friend to help pack up my things from the house.
Then I booked overnight flights, a direct route to Ashford City, where my transfer was waiting.
I'd just cleared security and was about to power down my phone before takeoff when Vivian's call came through.
「Which hospital are you and Ian at? I'm coming right now.」
I let out a cold little laugh and answered evenly. : 「Don't bother. You couldn't make it anyway.」
Vivian froze, then blurted out, : 「What's that supposed to mean?」
I watched the flight attendant giving the gentle reminder to switch off all phones, my voice as flat as it could go.
「My transfer paperwork is done, and Ian's already switched schools.」
「From this day on, he and I have nothing left to do with you. Nothing!」
