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She seemed lucid,joking her brain was overused,spent early.
Paul’s phone kept buzzing.He turned it off.
At the hospital,Sarah stormed over.
“You’re busy with your ex at the hospital?She doesn’t have a boyfriend?”
She grilled Paul,then sneered at me.“Can’t you do anything without a man by your side,huh?”
I nearly quipped she’d know.
“Sarah!”
“You’re yelling at me?For her!I’m carrying your kids!”
Mrs.Carter got out,and Sarah froze,turning sweet.
“Auntie…”She grabbed Mrs.Carter’s hand.“You feeling okay?”
Paul hid both sides.
Mrs.Carter patted her,pulling away.“Paul,it’s hot.Take Sarah home.Emma can come with me.”
“Auntie,let Emma go.Paul and I will stay.For the grandkids,”Sarah chirped,ignoring cues.
Mrs.Carter smiled.“Fine.”
“Emma,you go.”
I nodded,not wanting to cause a scene.
Sarah gave me a triumphant look as she walked away with Mrs. Carter, acting like the perfect daughter - in - law.
I was speechless.
Paul texted at noon.The diagnosis was confirmed—Mrs. Carter's condition was progressing rapidly. The only option was medication, but the results were uncertain.
He asked to meet tomorrow.
I thought,I bet he doesn't want his “wife” to “catch us” talking.
At a café,after discussing Mrs.Carter,Paul hesitated.
I snapped,“Just say what you want to say.”
“Emma,you know,since the divorce,Mom’s blamed me.She doesn’t like Sarah,only sees you as her daughter-in-law.”
“With her condition…let’s remarry.Just act for her,so she has no regrets.”
“Sarah’s okay with it.She understands,won’t fuss.”
I laughed out loud.The world’s had gone crazy.My iced latte tasted overly sweet.
“Then you'd better have a baby quickly while she still has her wits about her, so she can enjoy being a grandmother,”
His eyes lit up,disbelieving.“Emma…Would you really do that?”
He reached for my hand.
I splashed the remaining coffee in his face, and his smile vanished instantly. It felt so satisfying.
“You're the only one who wants this,Paul.Stop dreaming.”
“Last time:we’re divorced.The moment you thought of it,we were done.Regret doesn’t restart things.”
“We’re talking now only for Mrs.Carter.She’d rather I’m her student than daughter-in-law.Don’t use her for your selfish whims.”
“You’ve got kids now.Be a good husband,father,not let them be homewreckers or hidden bastards.”
“It was an accident…”he protested.
I smirked.“Accident?We slept three years—never an accident.”
“Enough.I’ll visit Mrs.Carter as her student and junior.Stop treating me as your family’s daughter-in-law.Discuss her condition with your wife—I have nothing to do with it.”
I grabbed my bag,standing.
“Oh,forgot to mention,I got married.Two weeks ago,when you and Sarah showed up.”
