"You brat, Antony's still young. Go easy on him."
Annabel ruffled Antony's hair. "He just looks young. He actually knows everything. Asks me every day when I'm getting the divorce."
Sarah's voice dripped with affection. "Antony, sweetie, if she ever bullies you again, just come to my place. I adore you."
I froze mid-step while changing my shoes. When Sarah glanced over, I quickly ducked my head to hide the redness burning around my eyes.
She put her phone away and called out, "Mason, come on in."
"No, it's okay, Mom. I didn't change my shoes. I won't come in."
I opened my umbrella and walked to the park where Annabel and I used to stroll back in college.
Under the most lush tree there, we'd buried a hamster we'd raised together for three years.
Annabel had cried until snot and tears ran together. "Mason, will you leave me someday too?"
I'd patted down the last handful of dirt, then pulled her into my arms. "You're all I have in this world. Nothing short of death could make me leave you."
She knew better than anyone. My parents died when I was young. I'd spent over a decade completely alone. She had become my entire world.
But her entire world didn't belong to me alone.
I sat on a wooden bench in the park, watching the clock. The moment it struck midnight, I sent her the divorce agreement.
"Annabel, this is my birthday wish."
A second later, my phone rang. I had never heard Annabel this furious.
"Mason, why the hell would you send me a message right now? Because I was reading your stupid message, I lost my grip on Antony. He nearly drowned and he's in the hospital!"
"I don't care what you're doing. Get over here right now and take care of Antony until he's out of danger!"
After she hung up, I received flight information. A 2 a.m. departure with two connections.
It was the fastest way to reach the Philippines.
By the time I arrived, Antony was already awake. Tommy was the first to rush at me.
"Bad Daddy! It's all your fault Daddy Antony ended up like this!"
"I hate you!"
I let his small fists pound against me, but my eyes were on Annabel.
She clearly hadn't slept all night. She was carefully tipping a cup of water to Antony's lips.
"There you go, drink up. You'll get better faster."
Antony looked at me. "Mason, you actually came. I don't blame you. It's my own fault for being a slow learner."
"Three days of diving lessons, and I still didn't dare let go of Annabel's hand. I'm so dumb."
"Dumb or not, I'm keeping you. I'm never letting go again." The tenderness in Annabel's eyes was almost overflowing.
"I'm still shaking just thinking about it. I almost lost you forever. If anything had happened to you, I wouldn't want to live either, Antony."
Annabel pressed her forehead against his cheek.
Even though I was long used to it, my eyes still stung. Moved by their love for each other, and gutted by my own loneliness.
A doctor walked in holding a lab report. "Ms. Cobb, when you donated blood for Mr. Gilbert earlier, we ran a panel on your bloodwork. You're pregnant. Approximately six weeks along."
The news hit like a bomb. My mind went completely blank.
"That's amazing!"
"Babe, we're going to have our own baby!"
"No!" I lunged forward. "Annabel, what did you promise me?"
I looked at Tommy. He was too young to understand what any of this meant.
"Mason, did anyone ask for your opinion?"
"Get over here."
Annabel dragged me out into the hallway.
"Annabel, you promised me you would never have a child with someone else!"
Annabel let out a cold laugh. "You got a kid with me. Why shouldn't Antony get one too?"
"What about Tommy? You won't just be his mother anymore."
"Can you really treat them both equally?"
"I can."
Annabel's voice faltered, and I let out a breath.
"Annabel, I don't want Tommy to end up like me. Get rid of the baby."
The words barely left my mouth before her palm cracked across my face.
"Nobody touches my child with Antony! Nobody!"
My ears rang. I watched her thrust her arm toward the door. "Get out! Get the hell out!"
"Annabel." I looked at her. "Today is my birthday."
"You promised you'd grant every wish I ever made."
"The only birthday I care about today is Antony's!" Disgust filled her eyes. "I don't have time for whatever pathetic wish you've sent me. Get out. I never want to see you again!"
Tommy heard the commotion and came running. He mimicked his mother, screaming at me. "Get out! Get out!"
I laughed. "Fine."
"Annabel, remember what you said."
I walked out of the hospital and took care of the last thing I'd ever do for Annabel in the Philippines.
Two weeks later, she received a phone call.
"Hello, is this Mrs. Cobb? This is the Chinese Community Hospital in the Philippines. We've confirmed that a deceased individual here is your husband, Mason Stephens."
