Chapter 4
On the flight home, I gradually chilled out, contacted my lawyer for new divorce papers, and texted Lincoln a photo.
‘Meet to sign or should I fax it over?”
Finally, I got Lincoln’s first phone call.
Stop throwing divorce threats around. I’m kinda swamped right now-let’s talk later.”
My tone turned mocking:
Oh really? So are you busy making another son this time, or busy making another daughter?”
lis previously kiss-ass tone instantly died as he let out this cold laugh:
Is this how your parents raised you? Get home right now and learn from my mother what ‘obey your husband’ means, or we’re divorcing now!”
le hung up.
When I got home, totally shocked.
found Vivian and her two kids gathered around my in-laws like some perfect little family.
Vivian hooked arms with my mother-in-law all sweet, looking at me with pure hatred:
Miss Carter, this is my first time seeing someone do business meetings in other people’s houses.”
Ier son scowled at me too: “Why didn’t you knock before barging in? That’s so rude.”
My mother-in-law gave me this cold stare.
Wasn’t there gonna be a divorce? Why are you here bothering our family?”
‘d never seen such a harsh look on my mother-in-law’s face. It felt like my heart got stabbed, then flooded with this crushing pain.
left my suitcase in the middle of the living room and headed upstairs.
Sorry.”
I’ll just pack and go-won’t mess with your family reunion.”
My father-in-law tapped his cane on the floor, his voice low: “Lincoln’s already on a plane home. Stop being stubborn-don’t you know how good he’s Deen to you all these years?”
Suddenly the little boy started bawling: “Is she gonna steal Daddy away? Will Mommy and sister and I get thrown out?”
The little girl started wailing too. My in-laws instantly looked heartbroken, each grabbing a kid.
‘Of course not! This is your home with Mommy and Daddy-who would dare throw you out?!”
The little boy cried so hard he couldn’t breathe, coughing.
My mother-in-law gently patted his back, then spun around and screamed at me: “Starting shit the second you get home! Sophia Carter, are you here just to curse our family?”
“Making my son go childfree, and now you want to kick out my grandkids! Get the hell out of the Hayes house!”
My father-in-law sighed while holding the little girl, staying quiet.
I looked around the room. That cane was made from the finest wood I’d personally picked and hand-carved for him.
My mother in law’s bracelet was also something I specifically bought at an auction for big money.
Yet here they were, surrounding Vivian while glaring at me like I was the enemy.
Suddenly everything in this house I’d lived in for six years felt totally foreign.
Whatever. Nothing worth taking anyway.
But as I grabbed my suitcase to leave, Lincoln burst through the door and ripped it from my hands.
“So what if I didn’t give you kids? I already gave you the Mrs. Hayes title-what more do you want?”
“Just get along with Vivian and I’ll handle everything else.”
The boy who’d just stopped crying started bawling again: “Daddy doesn’t want us anymore! Daddy wants to be with that woman!”
Lincoln immediately dropped my hand and ran to comfort the boy.
“Who’s talking crap? Daddy will always only love Mommy and baby, and little sister. I’ll chase away the bad lady for baby-chase her away right now!”
He kicked my suitcase out the door in disgust. It crashed and popped open, showing the divorce papers inside.
A flash of panic crossed Lincoln’s eyes as he pulled me outside, saying softly, “You go out first. After I calm down the kids and Vivian, then we can-”
picked up the divorce papers, dusted them off, and shoved one copy in his hands.
‘Just sign it. Don’t worry-there won’t be an ‘after’ for us.”
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.