Zoey kept her word and sent Laurence’s mother a message the next morning. In the text, she said that she was still young and had just started her career. So, she was not ready to have a child yet. She put all the blame on herself and not on Laurence. This was so that Laurence could not find fault with her regarding the issue.It wasn’t that Mrs. Scott really wanted a grandchild she could care for. She simply thought Laurence and Zoey’s relationship would improve if they had a child. She knew that her son was too cold and distant. If he had a child, maybe he would change for the better. Perhaps he would become a good husband and father.After seeing Zoey’s text message, she sighed and went on to nag her son again. “Look at you. I’m sure you’re not considerate and caring enough to Zoey. That must be why she doesn’t want to have a child.”Laurence was already in a bad mood. When he saw his mother’s text, his expression soured even more.“She had such a difficult past. She needs someone wh
Was Sarah doing fine? Heck, she was living the best life!She was living it up, and the world revolved around her. Sarah never had to worry about living paycheck to paycheck. Instead of giving Jason a straight answer, Zoey was careful to pick up on her uncle’s facial cues. “Uncle Jason, what’s with the sudden interest in her?” Jason raised his eyebrow and answered curiously, “I was just asking.” He added, “It seems she’s been doing well for herself over the years.” It didn’t take rocket science to figure out that Sarah would be in good hands with her father. Jasmine’s heart of stone hid behind her kind and compassionate façade. The woman grinned and bore through the years before finally flipping the script to her advantage. Of course, Jasmine would give her only daughter the world. Zoey gave it some thought before answering, “She’s being held in custody. She should be out in a couple of days.” Sensing Zoey’s reluctance to talk about Sarah, Jason ended the conversation there
Zoey was dismissive toward Laurence on the phone. Picking up on her half-hearted attitude, Laurence grew furious. His mood swings had worsened since the day he had been foolish enough to bring kids up in the conversation. Zoey spoke in hushed tones as if she did not want to be caught dead talking to him. “I’ll be back a little later today.” Laurence scoffed in rage. “Oh, so you do know you have a home. I thought you’d turned your back on me now that your uncle is out of jail.” Zoey had to get over his snide remark. Laurence hung up before Zoey could speak. It was as though he wanted nothing to do with her. Zoey saw red. She kept reminding herself that she had four months to go. Only four months until the insufferable marriage was over. Laurence was out of excuses to threaten her this time. Once the contract was up, Zoey would not violate the terms when she cut ties with him. …The day of Sarah’s release from the detention center came.Robert sent a car to pick her up.
Laurence appeared composed as he tore into Zoey. The words coming out of his mouth were biting. His remarks aside, it was hard to tell that Laurence was having a fit by the sound of his tone alone. Zoey could read the bitter resentment from his icy tone. Furrowing her brows, she took some time to regain color in her face. The last thing she wanted to do was fight. She didn’t want to get the silent treatment as she’d rather not be at odds with Laurence. All she wanted was for their relationship to resume as it was for the last four months of their marriage. Zoey believed she was no different in how she acted in Laurence’s presence, now or before. She remained courteous and distant, keeping him at arm’s length just as Laurence preferred. She fell silent for a while before taking a seat and picking up the cutlery to cut into the steak. She ate the steak bite by bite. Holding down the urge to puke, Zoey slowly swallowed the food. Laurence watched her quietly. The light hit his stra
Zoey stared blankly at the gastrointestinal medicine and sighed before putting it into the drawer. There was a lot of rain and thunder that night. Zoey tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep through the rolling thunder. Amid her haziness, she woke up to splashing sounds coming from the bathroom. She'd turned off the lamp on her bedside table before going to bed, but somehow, it was now lit. The lamp offered a faint radiance to the bedroom. Zoey slipped further under the sheets and fell back asleep. It didn't take long before the covers beside her were lifted, and a cold and stiff body lay next to hers. The man reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist. Thinking she was dreaming, Zoey struggled to open her tired eyes and spoke in a voice thick with weariness, “Why are you back?” Did he not say he wouldn't be coming home tonight? Come to think of it, he'd stormed off. Zoey was then reminded of the tiny details, like the unfamiliar scent she'd caught a whiff
Thrown into a fluster, Sarah quietly sat on the bed and clutched her phone tightly in her grasp. She could call for help at the first sign of trouble. Shawn hadn't come in peace. Apart from his slightly hollowed cheeks, the man looked no different. Shawn entered the ward and offhandedly closed the door before locking it behind him. The clicking sound of the lock only made Sarah anxious. Sarah knew from her mother’s stabbing incident that Shawn had pieced the whole thing together.Shawn had been under her thumb throughout the years and had never gone against her wishes. Sarah was aware of his many dirty deeds behind the scenes. He had resorted to torturous measures in dealing with those who were a threat to Sarah back in school. Time had only honed his skills in the shady business. Because of his fondness for Sarah, Shawn had been willing to go the extra mile and make sacrifices. The man indolently stood before Sarah. Sarah spoke first, asking, “What are you trying to d
Sarah became frightened. She would have no reason to live if this lunatic ordered the men outside the door to violate her. With tears streaming down her face, Sarah moved forward and grabbed his sleeve. Her eyes met his. “I was wrong, but I was young back then. I didn’t know you'd confused me for someone else until the day your mother came forward to me.” Sarah choked with sobs. “It’s not like the Jenners can afford to upset your family anyway. I had to take your mom’s word for it. Who was I to say no to her? She told me to say only what was necessary and nothing more. I was supposed to be your instrument.” She mixed the truth with lies. Her eyes were puffy from crying. “Over the years, never once have I instructed you to harm her, except in one incident... But in a way, I gave you what you wanted.” Sarah was talking about her plan to take what was most precious to Zoey, and Shawn was an accomplice. When Sarah brought up the matter, Shawn sneered and strengthened his hold
Shawn fell silent for a while before snickering out of nowhere. “I was an asshole, but I can’t beat the time you forced her to get an abortion.” Sparks were flying. Laurence stood before Shawn against the light. His facial expression was visible in the dim light, only revealing his aloofness through his tensed facial lines. His eyes glistened with murderous intent like those of a beast ready to pounce. He pressed his lips tightly together. The remark got Laurence where it hurt, and the pain confused him. It hurt no less than a knife in his heart. Still, he held it together, apart from a slight discoloration on his skin. He said, “She and I will have children.” Laurence added with a blank face, “We can have as many children as we want. Thanks for asking.” Shawn kept to himself. Laurence glanced at Shawn before turning to the woman behind him, who seemed fine. “I’m a busy man. I should get going if this circus is over.” He advanced to the door and stopped before look