Chapter 5
Thomas’s face instantly turned pale, and his voice began to tremble. “It’s only been three years since Christmas, and you’re already with another man!”
His incredulous expression seemed almost laughable to me.
After all, just half a month after I went missing, he married Christina on our wedding anniversary.
And now he had the nerve to accuse me.
Thinking of the person waiting for me at home, my expression softened. “My husband is waiting for me to come home in New
York.”
Thomas clearly didn’t believe me, his expression growing
irritated.
“You’re lying!”
The next second, he seemed to think of something, and his expression softened considerably. “I know you too well.”
He grew more confident as he spoke. “You loved me so much, leaving me must have been painful.
“Nice acting though. Evelyn, haven’t you faced reality yet?
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“Christina has been with us for three years. She’s not just my wife, she’s also your parents‘ goddaughter!
“If you think you can drive her away, we absolutely won’t allow
it!”
I held Layla tighter and responded coolly, “Believe it or not.”
I turned to leave, but Thomas rushed forward to block my path.
He couldn’t help but raise his voice. “Evelyn, after leaving me and your parents, who else will spoil you?
“Life in New York is so stressful–can that man even afford to
support you?
“Does he know you have a child? If he gets tired of you, do you really think I’d take you back?”
His barrage of questions sounded more like he was trying to make me stay.
“Evelyn, stay. We’re still family.
“I may not spoil you like I used to, but I promise you’ll never want for anything.”
I stared at him for a long moment, then shook my head. “Thomas, you have no right to interfere in my life anymore.
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“I have a husband and Layla. I have my own family, and you mean nothing to me.”
Meeting Christina’s resentful gaze, I said playfully, “Mr. Martin, you shouldn’t say things that might make Mrs. Martin misunderstand.”
I chuckled softly. “She’s crying–shouldn’t you go comfort her?”
Only then did Thomas notice Christina standing on the second floor, tears streaming down her face.
She didn’t speak, but looked as if she’d suffered some terrible injustice.
Thomas glanced at me, then ultimately rushed upstairs.
I thought I could finally leave, but he called out to me again. “Evelyn, you can bear to leave me.
“But what about your parents? They went gray overnight after you left–don’t you know gratitude?
“And Oscar is your son!”
I turned back and looked up. The people upstairs were all watching me too.
My parents weren’t looking at me–they were gazing worriedly at Christina.
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Oscar anxiously stood on his tiptoes, trying to reach up and wipe away her tears.
The turmoil in my heart finally settled into calm as I lowered my head and eyes.
Layla’s little arms wrapped around my neck. When I looked up again, my gaze was resolute. “Layla chose to come with me willingly. No one can stop that.
“As for Oscar and my parents, I won’t force them. If they don’t want to, so be it.”
I had given them a chance and made them a promise. Everyone has their own choices to make.
Thinking of the twenty–some years my parents had loved me, and how Oscar’s first word had been “Mama.”
At least the beautiful memories I had of them had truly existed.
I forced a smile in their direction. “Dad, Mom, take care of yourselves.”
Oscar stole a glance at me, and I waved at him too. “Oscar, I hope you grow up healthy and happy.”
My gaze finally settled on Thomas and Christina.
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“Let’s go handle the paperwork tomorrow. We won’t take up too much of your time.”
