Chapter 4

I didn't rush home after work. I had just taken on a new project and needed to write a proposal.

I decided to work overtime in the peace of my office.

At 7:00 PM, Ethan called.

"Babe, when are you coming home?"

I sipped my coffee. "I’m working late tonight on a big project. Don't wait up for dinner."

I hung up.

At 8:00 PM, Ethan called again.

"Babe, it's getting late. It's not safe. Please come home."

I looked at the clock. "Oh, it's already past eight? I'm so exhausted. This project determines my year-end bonus, Ethan. I have to finish it."

Ethan went silent. I thought he had hung up, but then I heard the baby screaming bloody murder in the background.

All he said was, "Okay... don't push yourself too hard."

I would rather suffer at work than go home and be treated like a slave.

At 9:30 PM, Ethan called yet again, sounding panicked.

"Stella, the baby has a fever. I have to take him to the ER. Can you please come home right now?"

Hearing that the baby was sick, my heart softened. I guess it was just natural maternal instinct.

"Don't panic. I'm on my way."

But the moment I unlocked the front door, a wave of fury hit me so hard I wanted to burn the whole place down.