Joe swept the files off my desk.
The cup shattered on the floor, and a flying shard sliced open my ankle.
Blood welled up at once.
"Don't hurt Mom!"
My daughter rushed forward in tears and pressed down on the wound to stop the bleeding.
I'd given up on this man completely, and still my heart ached against my will.
Years ago, when a rival came after me, it was Joe who took three knife wounds and pulled me out of that mob's hands.
He couldn't even stand from the injuries, and still he smiled and tried to reassure me.
"Don't be scared. As long as I'm here, no one can touch you."
And now the one hurting me was him.
"That's enough. Don't make me slap you."
Joe advanced on me, his face livid.
"Dad, aren't we a family? Why are you helping outsiders go after Mom?"
Carol's eyes reddened, and she finally broke down sobbing.
"What does a child know! I stand with what's right, not with my own blood."
Joe glared and shouted.
"I'm your Aunt Audrey's boss. It's only right that I look out for someone who works under me."
"A widow raising a son on her own—she's pitiful enough, and now she's being bullied by people with power. Of course I'll stand up for her."
"But Mom didn't lie to you. Bobby really was out of line. He forced his way into the girls' dorm more than once, and he took secret photos—"
"How dare you! Who taught you to talk back to your father?"
Joe cut her off, harsh: "Is that how you speak to your elders? Did you throw your whole upbringing to the dogs?"
Bobby's eyes darted around, and he sniffled, playing the pitiful one.
"Uncle Joe, since the trustee has no room for me, I'll just go."
Audrey covered her face and whimpered too.
"Joe, don't you two fight over the both of us. You're husband and wife."
"I'll resign tomorrow, so your wife can cool off."
"You're not the one who should resign."
Joe ground his teeth, his eyes bearing down on me.
"Naomi, you've disappointed me. Throwing your little bit of authority around to bully the weak."
"I'm ordering you—step down as trustee, right now."
Then he turned to Audrey.
"Audrey is my assistant. Her ability and her character are both first-rate."
"You'll submit your resignation to the board yourself, then recommend her for the next term as trustee."
He'd made me laugh with fury again.
A wave of exhaustion hit me, and I lost even the will to argue.
I signaled for security to throw the three of them out.
"I'm warning you, Naomi. Don't take this too far."
Joe was shoved along, shouting in humiliation.
"If I walk out that door today, you can beg me all you want and I still won't come back."
Security, faces full of disgust, dumped the three of them out into the corridor.
"I never realized you were this cold-blooded kind of animal!"
Joe's face went black with rage.
"I will not let you run wild just because I've spoiled you."
He helped Audrey up and soothed her gently.
"I'll move Bobby to a better school. We don't need this dump."
Then he left, taking the two of them with him.
But barely ten minutes later, a message from him landed on my phone.
【I'm giving you one more chance to win me back.】
【Whatever it takes, make Audrey and Bobby happy again, and get Bobby's enrollment restored.】
【You have one week, or you lose me forever.】
It wasn't a request. It was an order.
He was certain I loved him to distraction.
Certain that no matter how outrageous the demand, I'd cave for his sake.
But Joe, this time I'm not playing along.
Divorce papers take time to prepare. One week was just right.
【Fine.】
I replied with a single word.
