Chapter 7
By the time Daniel and Samuel came home, Dana had already had the maid to fix a table of dishes. “Daniel, Samuel, you’re back.”
She smiled and asked them to sit at the table to eat. Yet, Daniel ignored her, went straight into the study, and pulled up the surveillance footage at home. I had the cameras installed for Samuel.
Samuel was just a kid, and he wasn’t familiar with those staff at home. Worried he might get hurt, I pleaded with Daniel for a long time before he finally agreed to install the cameras.
Daniel watched the surveillance footage from that day for a long time. Then he lit up a cigarette and clutched my photo tightly. His shoulders trembled violently as he cried, suppressing his voice.
The screen froze on the pool of blood beneath me after I fell off the stairs.
Dana held her belly with her hand and entered the study together with Samuel. As her gaze fell on the screen, her pupils shrank, and her heart skipped a beat. “Daniel…”
Daniel’s eyes were bloodshot. “Someone! Kick her out. From now on, she’s not allowed to step in here ever again.”
“Daniel! You can’t do this to me! I’m carrying your baby!” she shrieked.
The bodyguard didn’t dare to come forward.
Daniel looked at her sternly. “You’ve got some balls bringing up the baby. Give birth, and I’ll have someone raise it. As for you? Don’t let me see your face ever again.”
Samuel kicked her and punched her. “It’s all because of you! I lost my
288 (Vouchers
Chapter 7
mom because of you!”
Stroking my photo, Daniel was overwhelmed by great heartache. Then his assistant came in and reported, “Mr. Trivett, we’ve found Mrs. Trivett.”
In fact, I didn’t board that plane. Before boarding, I had a change of heart and wanted to visit my parents‘ hometown.
After they passed away, I was sent to the orphanage right away. Soon after that, Marsh sponsored me and took me in. I was like a top, not being able to stop for even just a minute.
I came back and then realized I wasn’t totally alone. My aunt was alive, and she recognized me at first sight. She brought me home and told me this would be my home from now on.
“Andrea, are you done? The movie’s about to start!”
Todd Fernandez, her son, shouted outside the door.
“Quiet!” She patted his head. “Girls always dress up, OK? Not everyone is like you, who simply wash your face before going out.
“And you’re wondering why you’re still single? Am I right, Andrea?”
Smiling, I nodded.
Todd looked at me, complaining silently, and I turned around, pretending I didn’t notice his gaze.
He bought three tickets, and we went to see a movie.
I looked around curiously. Back in school, I worked hard and spent all my time on my studies. And after getting married, I took care of Daniel and Samuel wholeheartedly. It wasn’t until now that I realized it had been ages since I last set foot in a cinema.
Seeing me look around curiously, my aunt felt bad for me, her eyes
turning red.
Todd urged us to sit in our seats.
After the movie, we were about to take the elevator to leave. Just then, I saw someone in the cinema lobby.
I smiled and let them wait for me downstairs, saying I forgot something.
My aunt patted Todd. “Todd can go and get it. He’s tall and runs fast.”
I
said I got it and then watched them go downstairs.
In the next second, Samuel ran over to me, grinning as he shouted, “Mom!”
I stepped past him and looked at Daniel behind him.
“Andrea, I finally found you.” There were tears in Daniel’s eyes.
I frowned. “What do you want?”
He said, “Andrea, I knew everything. You didn’t marry me for money, and you didn’t push Dana. I…”
“So?” I interrupted him. “What is it that
it that you want?”
A trace of pain flashed across his eyes. “Andrea, come back with me. OK?”
Samuel grabbed my hand timidly. “Mom, I’m sorry. I was wrong. Let’s go home.”
I pulled away my hand. “Daniel, we’re divorced. This is my home. And you, Samuel.”
I lowered my head to look at him. “Now that I’ve divorced Daniel, you and I are strangers.”
Turning around, I was about to leave when Daniel clutched my hand with great force and sneered.
“I didn’t agree to the divorce. Our marriage still stands.
“I signed the divorce papers without knowing it, so it’s invalid.”
Surprised, I looked at him. He had always been a proud, aloof man; did he seriously just say those shameless words?
More and more onlookers gathered around us, and I shoved his hand away forcibly. “We’ll talk somewhere else.”
After texting my aunt, I went to a nearby cafe with them. Daniel ordered a kiddie meal for Samuel and a glass of Iced Americano for me, saying fawningly, “Andrea, this is your favorite, right?”
I scoffed, “No, Mr. Trivett. I hate bitter stuff.”
Daniel was the one who loved drinks with a bitter taste. So, during those ten years, I forced myself to do the same just so that he could care about me even just a little bit more.
Daniel was stunned for a few seconds. Then he ordered something sweet and put it in front of me.
“Andrea, I’m sorry. I got you and your taste wrong. Come home; I promise I’ll change right away, OK?”
I had never seen such an ingratiating look on his face before.
Samuel pushed his milk in front of me and said while observing my face, “Mom, you can have my milk.”
I looked at the milk with a half–smile.
Daniel’s face turned pale, and then he took the milk away, not even daring to look at it. “Andrea, it’s my fault. I promise you will never see milk in