After my son, Sonny, heard the noise, he ran to the railing on the second floor. Once he stuck his head out, he saw Travis and ran down happily.
“Uncle Travis!”
I wanted to pat his head, but my son quickly hid behind Travis. Sonny then gave me a look full of hatred. I couldn’t help but let my hand drop helplessly. Even though I had expected it, I still felt a sting of pain inside.
When I wanted to take my daughter from Travis’s arms, my son pushed me away.
“You are a bad man! Don’t touch my sister! You don’t deserve to hold my sister!”
Rebecca looked a bit uneasy.
“Let Travis hold her. He’s careful. Our daughter became calmer in his arms.”
Those light words felt like the last straw on my back.
“Divorce! Sign the papers before you leave.”
Rebecca’s eyes showed surprise for a moment, but then turned into impatience.
“Why are you so serious? It’s just some one-month-old celebration photos. I was being kind since you were busy with work, so I didn’t ask you to go.”
“I asked Travis to come because he happened to be free. If you still insist on doing the photos, you can do it next time. Why keep making a fuss about such a small matter?”
“And that time I didn’t let you come with me? I was afraid you’d be nervous. Travis grew up with me. Besides, he’s a doctor. So he’s used to this kind of thing.”
“Moreover, I already told you everything clearly. What else do you want me to explain? Dragging up old things again and again makes no sense. Can you stop being so hard to deal with?”
Her voice grew so loud that it woke our baby, who started crying. Travis rocked her gently and looked at me with an uneasy face.
“Matthew, I’m sorry about the one-month-old celebration photos. I really shouldn’t have been in them.”
“This is my fault, not Rebecca’s. If you’re upset, you can let it out on me. Don’t let me break your peace.”
However, Rebecca quickly stood in front of him.
“This has nothing to do with you, Travis. You don’t need to say sorry.”
My son copied her words.
“That’s right! Uncle Travis, you don’t have to say sorry to that bad man. Once my mom gets divorced, she can take us to your house to play with you!”
Rebecca, who had just been so confident, suddenly turned to shut him up.
“Sonny, don’t talk nonsense.”
Travis freed one hand and pulled my son close.
“Sonny, be good. Don’t get into adult problems. I’ll buy you the newest Transformers toys later, okay?”
My son jumped with joy.
“Uncle Travis, you’re the best. Unlike that bad man, who only knows how to bully Mom and fight with her.”
Rebecca glanced at me awkwardly, then held her son’s hand and walked past me.
“Since you don’t want to come, just rest at home. We’re leaving first.”
I grabbed her arm.
“Sign the papers before you go.”
She rolled her eyes at me, clearly angry. I was about to lose control when the phone rang.
After listening for a moment, Rebecca said sharply, “You should talk to Matthew. Just because Travis was in our daughter’s one-month-old celebration photos, he’s insisting on divorce. He even won’t let me leave.”
After speaking more with the person on the other end of the line, my wife put the phone on speaker and shoved it toward me.
“Matthew, what’s wrong with you? Do you want to shame my daughter in front of everyone? You’re already late, but you’re still making a scene!”
“Rebecca and Travis are childhood friends. They grew up together. If something really did happen, would it even be your turn? I actually hope it is true.”
