I took a cab home alone.
Just when I thought my heart was utterly broken, I saw the crib in the room and felt a wave of hopelessness that suffocated me. I curled up on the floor, trembling all over, and cried until my heart felt like it was tearing apart. My little Emma, it's all my fault. I couldn't protect you.
In my haze, I recalled how Tobias Ryan never wanted to accompany me to baby stores. At the time, I assumed it was just a man disliking shopping. Now I realized he never intended for Emma to have a future. A bitter smile crossed my face as I fought against the pain of despair and printed a copy of the divorce papers.
The social media account I hadn't logged out of pinged with Marleigh Wagner's latest update. She posted a picture of a table full of healthy meals, captioned: "Someone's really going overboard! It's just a minor procedure, but they seem to want to fatten me up like a pig!"
Having gone all day without food, I rubbed my stomach that was aching with hunger and hastily made some instant macaroni and cheese. In the evening, Tobias finally called, frustrated and demanding to know where I had gone. Upon learning I was home, he scolded me, "You're a grown woman and always making people worry. Take a cab to the family estate; Mom wants us to come over for dinner tonight."
"I'm exhausted, and I don't want to go..." I started to say.
"You have to come." He cut me off, "Kinley, don't upset Mom."
The call ended. Before it disconnected, I heard a sweet voice on the other end, "Toby, kisses and hugs."
I forced a bitter smile, grabbed the divorce papers, and took a cab to the estate. The driveway was filled with parked cars. Turns out the drivers were all home, but I wasn’t important enough for them to pick up.
As I pushed open the door, I saw Tobias and Marleigh sitting on either side of his mother, Julie Ortiz, laughing and chatting like a family. Marleigh was dressed in designer clothes, looking surprisingly well for someone who had just had surgery. In contrast, I was still wearing the oversized and wrinkled hospital clothes, my complexion pale as a ghost. Knowing she bore my baby's kidney, I glared at her with hatred.
Marleigh sprang to her feet, looking timid, "Kinley, don't be mad, come sit here."
"Marleigh, sit down, be careful with your stitches," Tobias shouted anxiously, glancing at me with disdain. "Kinley, why the long face? You're here to join Mom for dinner, and you drag your feet until now. Marleigh just had surgery and is still recovering, yet she's been keeping Mom company. You're ungrateful and throwing a tantrum at her. Apologize to Marleigh right now."
"Toby, it's okay." Marleigh quickly reddened her eyes, "Kinley's not doing it on purpose. She just dislikes seeing me close to you. You're the family; I'll just leave."
"No, if anyone leaves, it's her!" Julie Ortiz pulled me closer and slapped me, "What a curse, can't even give us a proper child. How did our family end up with someone like this?"
"Tobias, what's the point of keeping someone who only brings disgrace to our family? Divorce her and throw her out."
Tobias hesitated but quickly spoke up, "Mom, Kinley didn't mean to. She was careful with her diet during pregnancy; the baby just had congenital issues..."
"Enough! I don't want to hear it. Tell her to get lost!"
I was shoved out, tripping and landing on the ground.
Tobias chased after me, "Kinley, Mom's extremely upset over Emma, she's just angry. Don't blame her."
I shook my head; it didn't matter anymore. I was leaving anyway.
Tobias sighed in relief, smiling, "I knew it, my wife is the most understanding. I'll talk to Mom, don't be sad. Come on, I'll take you home."
He helped me up.
Suddenly, a piercing cry from Marleigh rang out from inside, "Toby, my stitches hurt!"
His hold on me loosened abruptly, shoving me hard into the doorframe. When I looked up again, all I saw was Tobias lifting Marleigh in his arms, his face fraught with worry, as he hurried upstairs, instructing the butler to call the doctor immediately.
I stood there like a fool at the doorstep, as a few servants bumped into me on purpose, loudly mocking me right to my face.
"Hmph, a crow trying to become a swan, doesn't even look at herself in a mirror to see if she measures up."
"She thinks she can become the lady of the house just because Miss Marleigh went abroad to study, and she managed to worm her way into the master's bed?"
"She's not even worthy of being the dirt under Miss Marleigh's nails."
No, it's not true, it's not like that.
I was also the one Tobias prepared 999 roses for, kneeling on one knee to propose. I was married officially, brought into the family with honor. Has everyone, even he, forgotten?
