Chapter 10
Matthew spent three solid days at the amusement park with Monica and her son.[]
The screams from the roller coaster, the looping music of the carousel, the electronic cacophony of the arcade… it all made his temples throb.
“Daddy, come on!”
Joseph yanked on his wrist, pointing at a distant roller coaster. “I wanna go on that one! And the limited–edition robot at the entrance! You have to buy it for me!“]]
Matthew’s head was pounding.
Monica had told him Joseph was traumatized after the kidnapping and needed him, which is why he’d cleared his schedule to spend time with them.]
But the boy was bouncing off the walls like a wild animal. He didn’t look traumatized at all.[]
“Joseph, we’ve been here for three days. It’s time to go home.“]
He pulled his aching hand free, his voice tired.
Besides, he had something important to take care of when he got back
Divorcing Monica.]
For the past two days,
very time h
closed his eyes, he saw Sophie’s shattered expression as he left her hospital room, and a sharp, inexplicable pain shot through him.]
When Monica had her “accidental” pregnancy, he had agonized over it
He’d only relented after she knelt at his feet, clutching his pants and sobbing that if she lost this baby, she’d never be able to have children.
“I don’t want anything from you,” she’d cried. “Just let me have this child, and I’ll take him far away. You and Ms. Harris will never have to see us again!“]
At the time, he and Sophie were struggling to conceive. In a moment of weakness, he’d agreed.
But what happened after?
First, Monica begged him to register the child so he wouldn’t be undocumented. Then she insisted Joseph needed a father’s love. to thrive. She chipped away at his boundaries, step by step, until that ridiculous marriage certificate was in front of him
Now Joseph was starting elementary school. It was time for this farce to end.[]
He had to go back to Sophie and spend the rest of his life making it up to her.
“Matthew, can we ride the carousel one last time?” Monica asked, holding Joseph’s hand, her voice sweet and pleading. “Joseph says he hasn’t had enough yet.“]
“No more rides. We’re going back.” Matthew said, his voice turning cold. “I have work to do.“[]
Monica’s smile faltered, a flicker of resentment in her eyes, but she obediently steered Joseph toward the exit.
“Alright, then. We can come back another time.“||
As soon as they were out of the park, Matthew started checking his phone repeatedly.
The messages he’d sent to Sophie over the past two days had gone unanswered. When he tried again, a red exclamation point appeared on the screen.]]
His heart sank
Sophie loved him so much. She used to get teary–eyed if he was just ten minutes late. Why would she block him?
A sense of foreboding crawled up his spine. He slammed on the gas, accelerating.[]
When they arrived at the villa, Monica and Joseph got out. She stood on her toes, leaning in for a goodbye kiss.
“Matthew, tonight…”
“I have things to do,” Matthew said, turning his head to avoid her, his tone distant. “Take care of Joseph.”
A flash of venom crossed Monica’s eyes, quickly replaced by an understanding smile.]
“Of course v
course. You go on. Joseph and I will be here waiting for you.“]
The moment Matthew’s car disappeared around the corner, Monica’s smile vanished. She lit a cigarette, the red ember glowing in the dusk, illuminating her twisted expression
“Damn that Sophie Harris. She’s probably scheming to get Matthew back.”
She took a harsh drag, then pulled out her phone and dialed a number, her voice instantly turning syrupy sweet.
“Honey, you can come over now. He’s not staying tonight.”
