Chapter 2
Zane’s brow furrowed deeply, his expression turning icy.
“Aurora, when did you become so paranoid?“]
“Paranoid?” I let out a bitter laugh.
Six months ago, during our fifth anniversary trip, Zane claimed he had an emergency and left me stranded in a foreign city.
I only discovered the truth when I saw headlines across major media outlets: Scarlett had returned to US that day with a little girl who bore a striking resemblance to him.
Three months earlier, at River’s kindergarten’s family sports day, Zane had canceled at the last minute. River could only watch enviously as other kids had both their moms and dads there.
Then later, I discovered he had gone with Scarlett and her child to a kindergarten enrollment interview instead.
One month ago, I pulled every string I could to get tickets to Maestro Kraemer’s concert for River, who was interested in learning violin. But the last parent–child ticket was bought by someone else at an inflated price. I ended up sitting with River on the outside steps, listening to muffled music.
After the show, we saw Zane walking out with Scarlett on his arm, carrying her child who clutched Maestro Kraemer’s personally autographed sheet music.
Compared to my supposed paranoia, online speculation was far more rampant.]
People were starting to speculate whether the old flames were rekindling.
Some had even started betting pools online about how many days it would take before Mr. Blackwell couldn’t resist asking for a divorce.
After all, everyone remembered the passionate love affair between the Blackwell heir and his childhood sweetheart, and how obsessively devoted Zane had been to her.
I took a deep breath.
“Do I need to be paranoid when the whole world is buzzing about it? Seems like I’m the only one being kept in the dark.“]
“Aurora, I thought you were different from everyone else. I thought you would trust me,” Zane said, with a noticeable pause.
I stared at him coldly. “You’re the one who broke your promises. What exactly am I supposed to trust?”
That he’d be back soon?
That he was on his way?
All his promises always dissolved into apologies.[]
What was left for me to believe?]
“Zane, if you still have feelings for Scarlett, I can divorce you.]
But your involvement with her will only end up hurting River.“]
HIS
Chapter 2
1 calmly delivered the words I’d been rehearsing in my mind for months.
His breathing faltered as he frantically grabbed my hand.
“I have no intention of divorcing you.“]
“But what about Scarlett?“]
Hearing my question, Zane lowered his eyes. “Yes, we had a history, but that was just youthful recklessness.”
“And Vivienne isn’t my child. Scarlett was married overseas, but her husband turned out to be an abusive alcoholic gambler. She finally escaped him and came back, hoping that given our families‘ past relationship, I could help her get settled in San Francisco.”
“Her Channing family may have fallen on hard times, but our family can’t just ignore them completely.“]
Zane’s eyes were intense, his hand gripping my wrist radiating heat.[]
finally softened.
“Fine. I’ll trust you one more time.”
www.
“But on one condition–you need to sign this divorce agreement first, to protect River and me. If you betray us, I promise I’ll leave without hesitation.“]]
“Deal.“]
Zane pulled me into his arms, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.
“You two are my most important family. I won’t let you down.“[]
His earnest expression as he made his promise mirrored exactly how he looked that rainy night five years ago when he proposed to
- me.
My heart skipped involuntarily as I nodded.[]
“Okay. I’ll hold you to that.”
In the following days, Zane stopped coming home late.
He formally apologized to River for missing his birthday and took him to an amusement park for an entire day.]]
River was thrilled.
As soon as we got home, he proudly showed me a dolphin plush.[]
“Dad won this playing darts! He’s so awesome!“]
I fingered the stuffed animal, surprised that Zane would play such childish games.
Maybe he was right–I shouldn’t have been speculating like the media.
So, from that day on, my doubts truly vanished, and we became a close–knit family again.[]
Everything was fine until River’s kindergarten organized a field trip to an island.[]
The night before we left, Zane mentioned that woman’s name for the first time in days.
“Scarlett’s daughter, Vivienne, just transferred to the kindergarten. She’s two years older than the other kids and doesn’t speak much English, so she’s having trouble adjusting. For this field trip, could she join us? Maybe we could look after her a bit?“]
I turned away without a word.[]
A large hand wrapped around my waist from behind, and I heard Zane’s voice, tinged with resignation.[]
“Aurora, I promise, I’m just helping her adjust. There’s nothing else going on.“[]
“I’ll be careful about appearances too. We won’t give the media anything to gossip about, okay?“[]
Zane leaned over, blinking at me with puppy–dog eyes.]]
I pushed him away.
Fine. If you want to look after her, then do it.“[]
“Thank you, my darling!” []
With that, he pulled me into his arms and gave me a deep kiss.[]
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