Chapter 4

All the anger I'd brought with me had turned into numbness in my chest.

Vanessa had never met Sydney Porter, but she knew Howard Simmons.

She pointed over there. "Hey, Howard's over there, Muriel—"

The moment she saw Muriel in another woman's arms, her voice cut off.

The place was buzzing with noise, but my mind was dead silent.

When they came out of the attraction, Muriel saw me first.

"Mommy!"

Howard frowned. "Why are you shouting like that?"

Following Muriel's gaze, he saw me.

Howard's expression changed.

Sydney, standing beside him, saw me and straightened up.

"Agatha, what brings you here?"

"To pick up Muriel and take her home." My face was blank.

Sydney was as thoughtful as if she were the lady of the house. "Muriel's having such a good time. Are you still blaming me? I'll head back right now. You and Howard can stay and play with Muriel."

Vanessa blew up the second she heard that.

"We're all tap water here, so quit pretending you're bottled spring water."

"'Howard, Howard' all day long—you planning to lay an egg for him?"

"Your blush looks a little light. Want me to touch it up with my palm?"

"You stinking slut!"

Sydney went pale and clung weakly to Howard, as if she'd collapse into his arms at any moment.

"Do you have some misunderstanding about me? Howard and I aren't what you think."

Vanessa sneered. "I haven't even said anything yet, and you're already jumping to fit the description."

Seeing them press closer and closer together, Vanessa finally couldn't hold back and rushed forward, shoving Sydney away.

"What do you think you're doing, getting all handsy? Don't you know he's somebody else's husband?"

Sydney let herself fall to the ground, fat tears spilling from her eyes.

Howard flew into a rage and smashed Muriel's favorite LinaBell glass on the ground, shards scattering everywhere.

"What is it you people want?!"

"She's just a young girl. I figured Muriel would be off today, so I had her come out and play with Muriel."

"Muriel likes her too, which is the only reason I invited her."

"Agatha Bell, I've put up with more from you than I ever should have."

Muriel crouched on the ground and burst out crying.

Howard tried to pick her up, but Muriel shrank into my arms.

His hand froze in midair, a flicker of hurt in his eyes.

The next second, that hurt turned into blame aimed at me.

"Agatha Bell, do you really have to make a scene like this in front of the child?"

I stared blankly at the stranger in front of me.

In all these years, he had never spoken to me like that.

He was the one who'd shown up here with another woman. He was the one who, in front of his daughter, protected another woman again and again.

Yet in the end, I was the one making the scene.

Sydney sobbed, "Howard, please don't blame your wife. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have come."

Howard closed his eyes for a moment, his voice weary. "You did nothing wrong."

Four words, dropping lightly into the air.

My arms tightened around Muriel.

Vanessa was so furious she wanted to keep going, but I stopped her.

People around us were looking over.

Howard lowered his voice. "Let's go home first. Whatever it is, we'll talk about it there."

He was still the same.

Always able to strike the most dignified pose at his most disgraceful moment.

As if lowering his voice and straightening his back were enough to make the fault not his.

I crouched down, lifted Muriel into my arms, and calmly looked at Howard holding Sydney up.

"Let's get a divorce."