My husband wanted to take a trip on government funding, but I refused and wanted to stay home with our daughter.
My daughter had a sudden heart attack that night. The distance from home to the hospital was only two kilometers, but he took a detour of twenty kilometers.
When we arrived at the hospital, she was no longer breathing.
I held my daughter's ashes, heartbroken, but he said lightly, “Heart disease is difficult to treat, so this is a relief.”
After packing his luggage, he said he had to accompany his boss on a business trip, which was crucial for his promotion.
I was alone and looked back at my daughter’s past updates on WhatsApp status when I saw an update from my secretary, Cassandra.
[Someone has abducted me to the Maldives! The sand here glows, the water is playful and even the breeze is urging me to “Get close to him!”]
The accompanying picture showed the backs of the two of them, hand in hand, treading water, making faces at the camera and holding coconuts to shield their faces.
Even with his face obscured, I still recognized my husband, Godfrey. The department director sent me the promotion list. I crossed out Cassandra and Godfrey’s names and asked them to undergo review.
My daughter was gone and those who harmed her would be buried with her!
——
After signing the list and handing it to the department director, I said hoarsely, “Follow the procedures.”
My phone vibrated on my desk and the words “mother-in-law” flashing on the screen made my fingertips chill.
I thought it was Godfrey and even a flash of absurd anticipation flashed through my mind. I hoped he’d just pretend to ask about Anastasia’s funeral.
When I picked up the phone, Laurel’s voice came crashing down on me. “Jessica, don’t be too sad. You’re still young and healthy. Just have another child. A woman needs a son to feel complete. I told you to have another, but you wouldn’t listen…”
There wasn’t a word of comfort, only resentment, as if Anastasia’s death was insignificant. I gripped the phone, my knuckles whitening, my voice cold as ice. “Are you done?”
She paused for a moment, then raised her voice, “What’s with that attitude? I’m trying to persuade you and you’re pretending to be so cocky? Our family doesn’t owe you anything!”
“Not owe me anything?” I laughed, a bitter laugh. “Go ask your son if he owes me and Anastasia.”
Before she could curse again, I hung up.
The past flooded back like a tide.
Godfrey had nothing when he graduated. I used my family connections to get him a job at an international group. His current position, which earned a million dollars a year, was built step by step by me.
The down payment for the riverside retirement apartment he bought for Laurel was mostly my savings.
They seemed to have forgotten everything. I had forgotten how, when I was pregnant with Anastasia, I braved torrential rain and traveled across three cities to win back clients, only to develop a persistent fever and a chronic illness.
I had forgotten how Anastasia’s health was frail after she was born and how I hired the best doctors and bought the most expensive medicine, only for Godfrey to say I was making a big deal out of nothing.
I had forgotten how every time Laurel came home, I’d fill my suitcase with her favorite snacks, only for her to turn around and tell the neighbors I was “stingy.”
The post on WhatsApp status was still lingering on my front page. Against the azure sea and sky of the Maldives, Godfrey still wore the birthday watch I gave him last year.
I opened the chat with him and typed one word: [Divorce.]
The phone rang almost immediately. As soon as the call was connected, Godfrey roared, “What’s wrong with you? Do you know how expensive long-distance roaming is?”
“Long-distance?” I stared at the couple’s photo and emphasized each word. “Is it the Maldives? Is the beach fun?”
His voice hitched for a moment, then rose an octave, “What nonsense are you talking about! I’m out of town discussing work with my boss! If you have anything, talk to me when I get back!”
