Clifford, a stranger then, appeared like a god descending from heaven, holding an umbrella over me and asking in that lovely, easy Mandarin what had happened.
I lifted my head, dazed, and a handsome Eastern face filled my vision before I was ready for it.
He took out tissues and wiped the rain and tears from my face, stayed with me through the whole police report, and comforted me for a long time afterward.
After that, we slowly grew closer, and that was where our story began.
Remembering the Clifford of those days, something in my heart went soft.
I was about to say something when Janet Sullivan sidled over and let out a mocking little laugh.
"You know, Hailey, Mr. Sanchez actually bent me over this piano quite a few times."
"But honestly? The experience was pretty forgettable."
A wave of nausea rose in me all at once, and the arms holding my daughter trembled.
"Clifford, this is the nursery we designed together. You and Janet fooled around in here?"
He let go of me, his tone light as air.
"Sweetheart, the girl just wanted a little novelty. Is this really worth such a big reaction?"
He made a show of pinning Janet in place, his voice dripping with indulgence.
"You little troublemaker, deliberately picking the things my wife hates to hear just to needle her. Tonight I'm going to have to deal with you properly."
Janet dodged with a giggle, cooing, "Hailey, save me."
Watching the two of them flirt and tease, my footing wavered.
Clifford reached out to steady me and pressed a kiss to my forehead.
"Sweetheart, thank you for always loving me. I won't cheat again to test how you feel about me."
"I really do like Janet. Once I've gotten tired of playing around, I'll come back to your side, all right?"
"After that, I'll devote myself only to you and our daughter, and we'll live a good life."
His voice sounded utterly solemn.
But it moved me not in the slightest. Swallowing down the nausea in my chest, I slammed the door shut.
My mother messaged to say everything in Southaven was arranged. I booked a flight for the next morning.
Clifford had miscalculated. This time, I truly would not stay for him.
That evening, I took my daughter to the old estate to have dinner with my mother-in-law.
Moira Sanchez was cheerfully teasing the baby with a rattle drum.
I picked quietly at the food and said nothing about leaving.
Then, abruptly, she spoke.
"Hailey, I know Clifford's been doting on that secretary of his lately. There's a lot of talk going around the company."
"I've used certain measures to force her out of the company, and from now on she's not to show her face in Kingsport."
"That woman means nothing but harm. She waved a pregnancy report in my face to pressure me into helping her climb, but I recognize only one daughter-in-law, and that's you."
There was a decisiveness in Moira's voice, the cold, cutting edge of the boardroom. Her tone was calm, and yet it sent a chill through you.
I shook my head with a bitter smile.
I was afraid her actions would only stir up Clifford's resentment and resistance.
Sure enough, when I got home, there was Clifford, holding a tearful, sobbing Janet, waiting for me.
He gave me an icy smile.
"Hailey, I never would have guessed you'd stoop to egging on my stepmother to fight your battles."
"I already promised I'd come back to the family, so why can't you make room for Janet?"
"How is a woman like you fit to be a mother? How could you raise my child right?"
Clifford stood up, reaching to snatch our daughter out of my arms.
I shoved him away with everything I had.
"Clifford, what right do you have to interrogate me? You're the one who cheated first. If anything, our daughter doesn't want a father as filthy as you!"
"Your mother teaching Janet a lesson wasn't my idea. That has nothing to do with me either!"
"I don't care whether you come back to the family or not. I'm completely done hoping for anything from you!"
Clifford's eyes went bloodshot, and he suddenly raised his hand and struck me across the face.
"Hailey, you've gone too far."
"Janet is carrying my child. And out there, plenty of women would fall over themselves to be the next Mrs. Sanchez."
"What makes you think I'll dote on you forever, no matter what?"
The slap left my head spinning. I stumbled a few steps before I caught my balance.
Our daughter, terrified by Clifford, burst into shrill, wailing sobs.
Clifford let out a cold laugh and pulled Janet toward the door.
"Hailey, don't be ungrateful."
"Go after Janet again, and I won't be so gentle with you."
Numbly, I touched my swollen cheek and held my daughter tighter.
All I could see in my mind was our wedding day, Clifford solemnly, reverently sliding the ring onto my finger.
"Hailey, I'll love you forever, protect you, never let anyone hurt you."
Yet the one who had hurt me and our child with his own hands was Clifford himself.
After a quick round of packing, I sat awake through the whole night, watching my sleeping baby.
The next morning, the moment the sky turned pale, I wheeled my suitcase out the door.
As the plane lifted off the ground, I said a quiet goodbye in my heart.
Clifford, we will never meet again.
