Chapter 4The Son’s Birthday

Getting a divorce is never easy.

Especially when there’s a child involved.

The moment I got the separation agreement, my parents got wind of it and rushed over to talk me out of it.

"He was wrong to let Tim get burned, Chloe, but he's still his father. Please, don't do anything rash."

Sarah showed up too, with my in-laws in tow.

"Chloe, I yelled at him yesterday, I really did. He knows he messed up. He even had me order a new birthday cake for Tim."

My mother-in-law chimed in. "Yes, he did! It arrived first thing this morning. It's still in the box."

Sarah placed the cake box on the coffee table and opened it.

The air in the room froze.

It was a gaudy, multi-tiered cake with "Happy 80th Birthday!" scrawled across it in bright pink frosting.

He hadn't even bothered to look at the picture before he ordered it.

A bitter, cynical laugh almost escaped my lips. I looked away and went back to packing my suitcase.

Sarah was on the verge of tears, stammering out excuses for him.

"The delivery guy must have mixed up the orders! My brother loves Tim so much, he would never—"

The sound of a key in the front door cut her off. David was home.

And he was holding Lily's hand. In his other arm, he carried several bags overflowing with maternity and baby supplies.

The silence was absolute.

Every eye in the room was fixed on Lily's swollen belly.

Sarah's voice trembled. "What is she doing here?"

My mother’s eyes filled with tears as she pulled Tim into a tight hug.

"Who is she?"

The question I hadn’t asked, my mother asked for me.

David didn't answer. He let go of Lily and grabbed my suitcase.

"Where are you going?"

I wanted to give him a dignified smile, but I realized he didn't deserve it. My voice was flat.

"Somewhere my son and I belong."

His eyes widened in panic. "Just… just for a little while, then? I'll come get you. We can…"

"Ow!" Lily cried out, interrupting him. "David, my stomach hurts."

He instantly forgot about me, his face flooding with panic. He swept Lily up into his arms and started carrying her toward our bedroom.

"Daddy!"

Tim’s small voice cut through the tension. The white gauze on his arm was a glaring reminder of everything that had happened.

"Daddy, are you still going to celebrate my birthday with me?"

The childish innocence of his question stunned everyone into silence.

My father-in-law closed his eyes in defeat. Sarah turned away to hide her tears.

My dad picked up my suitcase. His voice was low and firm.

"Let's go, Chloe. We're going home."

David’s arms seemed to slacken around Lily.

"Wait!"

He pushed Lily away and stood in front of me and Tim.

"Lily has a doctor's appointment tomorrow. After it’s over, I'll come straight to your parents' house to pick you both up."

I stared at him, bewildered.

"You don't have to—"

He cut me off, barreling ahead with his own plans.

"That villa we looked at in South Hills, the one you said you liked? I bought it. You and Tim can move in there."

"You always wanted a garden. I already had the property manager plant those pomegranate trees you love."

I frowned. "David, really, you don't—"

"And Tim," he continued, his voice softening as his gaze fell on our son's bandaged arm. "I had my assistant contact a specialist. We have a consultation this weekend. I promise, he won't have a single scar…"

"David."

I couldn't take it anymore. I cut him off, pulled the divorce papers and a pen from my bag, and signed my name right there in front of everyone.

"If you really want to make it up to me, then sign this. Now."

"Let's get a divorce."