Chapter 2
“Luna Carter, the kids are gone and I know you’re hurting, but that was fate!”
“Our children were born sick-God himself couldn’t have saved them. They were meant to die young. It wasn’t me, and it wasn’t Quinn trying to hurt them!”
“Ive told you this a million times, but you keep going after Quinn. I didn’t let you check the security footage because I didn’t want you spiraling further! I never thought you’d spread lies about Quinn, and I sure as hell never thought you’d abuse your power to send her to Africa!”
His usually cool voice was ragged with rage, gasping between words.
I simply asked: “When you rushed off-was it really for that surgery? When Quinn posted those Instagram stories, was there really some drunk family member orcing you to play games?”
Or were you in such a hurry to fly out just to take your little anesthesia resident to Disney?”
The gasping on the other end suddenly stopped.
wo seconds of silence.
What the hell are you talking about? That never happened. You’re seriously… losing your mind…”
hen came Quinn’s voice.
Dr. Williams, the fireworks are starting! You finally get to relax for once-I don’t want my drama ruining your mood. When we get back, I’ll apologize to your vife personally, even if I have to get on my knees.”
he line went dead immediately.
Wouldn’t want to miss those beautiful fireworks, I guess.
held my children’s urns, tears streaming down my face.
Mommy will never forgive them. Never.”
don’t remember falling asleep, only that I cried until I couldn’t breathe.
woke up the next morning with eyes so swollen I could barely open them.
threw on sunglasses and headed downstairs, where I spotted a busy figure.
Caspian walked out carrying a bowl of congee. He froze when he saw me, but quickly smiled as if nothing had happened.
You’re up? I made you breakfast-eat something.”
I know yesterday’s whole thing probably made you overthink, so I didn’t even rest. Flew back overnight.”
opened my mouth to say it wasn’t necessary, but then saw a perky figure in my pajamas bouncing out of the bathroom.
She threw herself straight into Caspian’s arms, giggling coquettishly.
‘Dr. Williams, you’re giving such major husband vibes right now. I totally have a thing for guys with husband energy.”
Caspian quickly peeled her off, his voice flustered.
“Come on, you’re a grown woman, stop acting like a kid.”
He turned to explain to me:
“We got caught in the rain when we landed and got soaked. I told Quinn to go home and change, but she insisted on coming to apologize to you, so I grabbed some of your clothes for her.”
Quinn stuck out her tongue and said to me: “Sorry about yesterday, Mrs. Williams! It really was just a joke! If you’re worried, Ill go on blind dates this weekend and get married ASAP so I won’t affect your relationship.”
“Quinn! Don’t be ridiculous,” Caspian snapped, then noticed my mocking smile and quickly added:
“I mean… Luna’s always been gentle and kind. She’s definitely forgiven you-you don’t need to go dating random guys.”
“Right, Luna? Let’s just drop yesterday’s whole thing and move on, okay?”
My children’s bodies were barely cold, yet he was playing lovebirds under fireworks with his new flame.
And now he wanted me to let it slide? Fucking no!
But I just curved my lips in a sardonic smile: “It’s fine. I don’t care.”
After all, you’ll both be in Africa soon enough.
Whatever your relationship is, wherever you went last night, whatever you did-I couldn’t care less.
Seeing my response, Caspian seemed to relax, adjusting his glasses.
“Good that you’re being reasonable. I’ve cancelled all my surgeries to stay with you. Once you’re feeling better, I’ll go back to work.”
I calmly agreed.
But Quinn’s eyes flashed with annoyance. She rolled them, then suddenly grabbed the soup bowl from Caspian’s hands and approached me.
‘Mrs. Williams, you have to try Dr. Williams’s seafood congee! We had some like this when we went to the beach together. I said it was delicious, so Dr. Williams said he’d learn to make it. I just tasted it-exactly like the original!”
Caspian looked at me with panic.
He always claimed his hands were for saving lives, never touching cooking or housework.
‘et, since last month, he’d started messing around in the kitchen after work, making disasters.
lack then, with the children critically ill, I was emotionally and physically drained.
thought he felt sorry for me, wanted to share some of my burden.
cleaned up his messes while feeling bitter yet sweet, hoping he’d cook for me and the kids again.
urns out he was just trying to recreate Quinn’s beach congee.
melling that fishy odor I hated most, I broke out in red hives almost instantly.
covered my mouth, stepped back, and said coldly: “I’m allergic to seafood. Get it away from me.”
ut Quinn suddenly “slipped,” spilling the scalding congee on her chest as she tumbled down the stairs, screaming.
Sorry, Mrs. Williams, I didn’t know… Dr. Williams, it hurts so much…”
Luna Carter! Are you insane?” Caspian roared. “Quinn didn’t know about your allergy! Did you really have to push her down the stairs?!”
I didn’t!” I protested while fighting back nausea.
Still denying it?! Quinn couldn’t have spilled that congee on herself!”
le looked at me with pure disgust: “The way you’re acting-you really are like a crazy woman.”
le scooped Quinn up in his arms, heading for the door.
I’m warning you-get mine and Quinn’s names off that list immediately! Or else we’re not done!”
