2
く
Later that night, after Riley was asleep, I
mindlessly scrolled through social media.
Of course, there was Ethan, posting his usual
crap about Savannah.
“My little girl won first place at the parent-
child sports day! So proud!”
In the photo, Ethan was holding Savannah,
with Bethany beside him, arm in arm.
All three of them were beaming like a
picture–perfect family.
Years ago, Bethany got pregnant after a one-
night stand. The guy bolted, leaving her to
face it alone.
Not wanting to raise a kid without a father,
く
And of course, Ethan played the hero,
abandoning me to take care of her every
need.
I begged him to stop, cried until I was hoarse.
He lost it, smashing the glass coffee table
and slamming out of the house.
“Riley, can’t you be understanding? She’s
pregnant! She needs support. If something
happens to her or the baby, will you be able
to live with yourself?”
“It’s not even your kid! Why should I care? It’s
her fault for getting into this mess.”
“Enough! Blame me for not being there to
protect her!”
<
Enraged, I confronted Bethany.
“Bethany, that’s not Ethan’s child! Why are
you making him take responsibility?”
“Because Ethan loves me, duh. And he’ll do
anything for me. Get it through your thick
skull.”
I was ready to rip her hair out, but then
Bethany clutched her stomach and faked a
pain attack.
The maids rushed her to the hospital, and of
course, Ethan was right there, glued to her
side.
A month before Bethany’s due date, Ethan
cornered me.
<
“Riley, Bethany’s about to pop. I don’t want
you stressing her out. You’ve been wanting to
do your master’s abroad, right? I’ve arranged
everything. No need to worry. Your flight’s in
two days. Lao Liu will take you straight to
campus.”
Before, I would have fought tooth and nail to
keep my place.
But I knew forcing things wouldn’t work. I
didn’t cry, didn’t argue. I just said, “Okay.”
3
Before the wedding, there was a rehearsal.
The family is loaded, so this wedding will be
the event of the year.
Г
Everything had to run perfectly.
Ethan called, insisting I come to discuss
details.
I walked in to find Bethany getting her
makeup done.
“Riley, you made it?”
She glanced at Savannah playing on her
phone in the corner, then nudged her.
“Savannah, look who’s here.”
Savannah gave me a dismissive glance before
returning to her game.
Bethany wasn’t about to let her get away with
Г
