Chapter 3

His pupils dilated in shock.

He stared at me for a long time, unable to utter a word.

Holding my daughter, I turned and walked away.

Lily rested her head on my shoulder, looking back at Liam over my shoulder.

She whispered, "Mommy, Daddy looks like he's crying."

I didn't look back.

During the forty-minute drive from the theme park back to our place, Lily sat in her car seat, uncharacteristically quiet.

I watched her through the rearview mirror. Her head was down, her tiny hands twisting together.

I pulled into the underground garage of our apartment building, turned off the engine, and unbuckled my seatbelt.

The car was silent for about ten seconds before Lily spoke from the back.

"Mommy, I don't want Daddy anymore."

Her voice was incredibly soft.

I turned around to face her.

She looked up.

"Why don't you want Daddy anymore?"

"Because Daddy makes Mommy sad."

She paused, thinking.

"And Daddy has another baby. He's a bad boy."

I reached into the back seat and pulled her into my arms.

Her little hand patted my back, just like I did when I rocked her to sleep.

"Don't cry, Mommy."

I wiped my face, only to realize I was completely covered in tears.

Once we got home, I changed Lily out of her dress, gave her a quick bath, and tucked her into bed with some cartoons playing.

Then, I started packing.

I flung my suitcase open on the master bedroom floor, grabbing clothes from the closet by the armful and throwing them inside.

Less than twenty minutes later, I heard the sound of keys rattling in the front door.

When Liam pushed the door open, I was kneeling in the living room, stuffing Lily's clothes and water bottle into her backpack.

He stood in the entryway, panting heavily, sweat dripping from his forehead. It looked like he had run all the way up from the garage.

"Don't leave," he gasped, taking a step forward.

I stood up and looked at him coldly.

"It's not what you think."

His voice was hoarse.

"That night... I was out entertaining clients. I drank way too much. I don't even remember what happened. When I woke up, she was just there."

"I was so panicked. I didn't know how to face you. At first, she said she only wanted money. But then she found out she was pregnant. She refused to get an abortion and had the baby. Then she came to me and said if I didn't take responsibility, she would tell you everything."

He spoke faster and faster, desperate to explain.

"She demanded that I divorce you, that I spend time with her, that I be at her beck and call—otherwise, she'd ruin us. I was terrified you'd find out. I was terrified you'd leave me. That's why I gave her whatever she wanted. I swear, I only did it because I couldn't lose you."

I looked him dead in the eye.

"Liam, you weren't afraid of losing me. You were just too greedy to let go of either of us. It's called cheating."

Liam shook his head violently, looking as if he had been struck.

"No, never. You're the only one I've ever loved."

"So, you didn't love her, but you still had a child with her and played happy family with her for over three years?"

I actually laughed.

"Your love is incredibly cheap."

Lily, who had been quiet in the bedroom, suddenly ran out. She hugged my leg and glared at Liam.

"Stop bullying my mommy!"

Liam flinched, visibly shaken.

He knelt down, reaching a hand out toward her. "Lily, Daddy isn't bullying Mommy. We're just talking."

Lily took a step back, hiding her face behind my leg.

His hand froze in mid-air.

I scooped Lily up and picked up the suitcase.

"Get out of my way."