Chapter 77
As I held the USB in my hand, memories from my previous life flashed through my mind.
I remembered the time I had stumbled upon Lucas and Nancy at the amusement park, their daughter Ciara with them.
Ciara, who was about Cody’s age, sat in the back seat of Lucas’s car, holding a melting ice cream cone.
Nancy sat in the passenger seat, playfully hitting Lucas’s chest, causing Ciara to giggle as the ice cream dripped everywhere.
Lucas, who had always been so fussy about cleanliness, didn’t mind at all.
In fact, the three of them laughed together, as if they were a happy family.
I remembered the time Cody had been hungry during a traffic jam, and I had handed him a chocolate bar.
Some crumbs had fallen in the car, and Lucas had exploded in anger, kicking us out of the car in the middle of traffic.
I stood there with Cody in my arms, stuck between the rushing cars, as Lucas drove off.
Cody had cried, begging for forgiveness.
“Daddy, please don’t leave me and Mommy! I’ll be good. I’ll never make a mess in your car again!”
Thinking of this, I smiled bitterly.
It was my blind love and devotion that had given Lucas the chance to hurt our son.
But now, I was realized that I was wrong.
My resolve hardened.
“Don’t worry, Ryan. This isn’t over. I’ll make sure they pay for everything they’ve done.”
For the next three days and nights, I stayed outside the ICU, praying.
Finally, we received the news that Cody’s condition had improved enough for him to be moved to a regular ward.
I could finally breathe again.
Looking at Cody’s face, which now had a bit of color, I gently kissed his forehead.
“Ryan, could you and Mom and Dad help take care of Cody for a few days? I need to go back and pack up our things.”
Ryan looked concerned. “Are you sure? I could send someone with you.”
I shook my head.
“Don’t worry, Ryan, I won’t p
“I just need you to do me a few favors and be ready.”
A few hours later, I returned home.
The first thing I did was toss the divorce papers onto the table.
Neither Lucas nor his mother were home.
I grabbed a suitcase and began packing up Cody’s things and mine.
We didn’t have much.
After all these years of living with Lucas, Cody and I had lived a life of scrimping and saving.
But I carefully packed all the little crafts Cody had made, wrapping them securely.NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.
Just as I finished, I heard the door open.
Lucas walked in, his eyes immediately falling on the divorce papers.
“Lola, fine, let’s get divorced. I won’t fight you for custody of Cody.”
“But you have to promise me that you won’t press charges against Nancy. If you agree to that, I’ll leave with nothing.”
I looked up at him, disgusted.
“Leave with nothing? How much of this house did you actually earn, Lucas?”
“With all the evidence we’ve got, do you really think custody will be up for debate?”
Realizing I had seen through his lies, Lucas dropped the act. He stormed over and slapped me hard across the face.
“You’ve got some nerve! After everything I’ve done for you two freeloaders, this is how you repay me?”
The blow was vicious, and I tasted blood in my my mouth.
“What are you talking about? Freeloader?”
“I’m done talking. You want to avoid pressing charges against Nancy? Fine.”
“Meet me at the Sach hotel tonight, room 701, at eight. We’ll discuss terms.”
With that, I grabbed my suitcase and walked out the door.
Lucas, tonight’s going to be a night you won’t forget.