Chapter 3
The shouting continued for what felt like hours.
I stayed in the kitchen, sitting on a wooden chair, my bandaged hand resting on the table. I could hear Evelyn's shrieks, Daniel's angry voice, Robert's calm, firm responses.
Then, suddenly, silence.
Heavy footsteps.
The front door slammed.
Robert walked back into the kitchen. His face was tired but determined.
"She's gone," he said. "Took her car. Said she'd be back with lawyers."
He pulled out a chair and sat across from me.
"Daniel went with her."
I nodded. I wasn't surprised. Daniel always chose his mother.
"He'll come around," Robert said. "Eventually. He's always been weak when it comes to her. But he loves you, Emily. In his own confused way."
I looked down at my bandaged hand.
"Love doesn't let someone get slapped and burned and laughed at," I said quietly.
Robert didn't argue.
"You're right," he said. "He has a lot to make up for. And he's going to have to earn your forgiveness. If you ever choose to give it."
He reached across the table and placed his hand over mine, being careful of the bandages.
"But for now, you're safe. This is your home as much as mine. And no one is going to hurt you here again."
That night, I slept in the guest room. I couldn't bring myself to sleep in the bedroom I'd shared with Daniel.
I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. My hand throbbed. My cheek still burned from the slap.
But for the first time in months, I didn't feel afraid.
The next morning, I woke up early. I walked downstairs and found Robert in the kitchen, making coffee.
"Good morning," he said. "How's the hand?"
"Better," I said. It still hurt, but the worst of the pain had faded.
He poured me a cup of coffee.
"I've made some calls," he said. "My lawyer will be here this afternoon. We need to get everything in order before Evelyn strikes back."
"Strikes back?"
Robert nodded. He leaned against the counter.
"Evelyn doesn't go down easy. She'll fight for everything. The house. The money. She'll try to ruin me. And she'll try to ruin you too."
He took a sip of coffee.
"She'll tell lies. She'll say you attacked her. She'll try to turn everyone against you. But we have proof. And we have truth on our side."
Just then, the front door opened.
Daniel walked in.
He looked terrible. His hair was messy. His clothes were wrinkled. He had dark circles under his eyes.
He saw me sitting at the table. His eyes went to my bandaged hand, then to my cheek, which was still swollen and bruised.
"Emily," he said softly.
I didn't say anything.
He walked toward me, stopping a few feet away.
"I'm sorry," he said. "About last night. About everything. I shouldn't have let Mom—"
"You let her slap me," I said, my voice steady. "You let her burn me. You sat there and ate while I was on the floor in pain. And you laughed with them."
Tears filled his eyes. "I know. I know I messed up. I was weak. I've always been weak with her. But I love you, Emily. Please."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out my wedding ring. He'd taken it from the table.
He held it out to me.
"Please," he said again.
I looked at the ring. The diamond sparkled in the morning light. It was beautiful. But it represented two years of pain and loneliness.
I looked at Daniel. Really looked at him.
He was crying. He looked genuinely sorry.
But sorry didn't fix a burned hand.
Sorry didn't erase the sound of everyone laughing at me.
Sorry didn't make up for two years of him choosing his mother over me.
"I can't," I said quietly.
His face crumpled.
"Emily, please. Just give me another chance. I'll change. I promise. I'll stand up to her. I'll protect you."
Robert spoke from the counter.
"She's heard those promises before, son."
Daniel turned to his father, anger flashing in his eyes.
"This is your fault! You turned her against me!"
"I didn't have to turn her against anything," Robert said calmly. "She saw the truth on her own. Last night, when you sat there eating while she cried on the floor, she saw exactly who you are."
Daniel's shoulders slumped. He looked back at me, the ring still held out in his hand.
"Please," he whispered.
I stood up from the table.
"I need time, Daniel," I said. "I need to think. I need to heal. And you need to figure out who you are. Without your mother pulling your strings."
He slowly lowered his hand. The ring glinted between his fingers.
"Okay," he said. "I'll give you time. But I'm not giving up on us."
He turned and walked toward the door.
"I'm staying at a hotel," he said over his shoulder. "Call me. Whenever you're ready."
The door closed behind him.
I stood there, my heart aching.
Robert walked over and put his arm around my shoulders.
"You did the right thing," he said.
I leaned against him, tears finally falling.
May you like
"I know," I said. "But it hurts."
"I know it does," he said softly. "But the pain won't last forever. And what comes after will be worth it."
