I looked at the box he held out, only to find yet another identical doll.
Ivy had once grumbled to me, “Mommy, Daddy bought me three of these already! I don’t even like them. He doesn’t care about me at all.”
I had smiled as I ruffled her hair and made excuses for Clinton.
“He’s just really busy with work. He takes care of so many patients every day, and it must be exhausting for him. Let’s not hold this against him, okay? I promise I’ll scold him when he gets back and make him apologize. Then, he’ll get you something you like next time.”
Ivy had scrunched her face in frustration. “Forget it. Daddy’s a superhero, so I won’t get mad at him. Mommy, make sure you save him some food, okay? He might be hungry after work.”
My heart had ached at Ivy’s thoughtfulness. I’d kissed her cheek gently and said, “Alright.”
Ivy had always seen her father as a hero. She could never bring herself to blame him.
But Clinton wasn’t a hero. He was too busy spending time with his childhood sweetheart.
I had believed my silence and sacrifices could hold our family together, but I was wrong. And because of a man like him, my daughter had lost her life.
I turned to Clinton and uttered curtly, “No need. Ivy and I don’t want it anymore. We’re getting a divorce. Get out.”
Clinton’s expression darkened. “Suzy, my patience is limited. If you push me, don’t regret it later.”
Without a word, I placed Ivy’s urn in its resting place. Then, I threw his so-called gift into the trash.
“Have you lost your mind? Why the hell did you throw away the gift I bought for Ivy?” he snapped, grabbing my wrist.
I bellowed, “Ivy’s gone! And now, you’re pretending to care?!”
Yanking off my wedding ring, I threw it at him and continued, “Isn’t there another game with Gemma you’d rather watch? Go! Stay as long as you want. No one will disturb you anymore.”
I stared at Clinton’s face, and my disgust only deepened.
How blind and foolish had I been? How could I ever have believed I would be able to warm the heart of someone who didn’t even have one in the first place?
Back in college, I was harassed and followed by a group of thugs. Clinton had saved me that night, even getting injured in the process.
Out of guilt, I had taken care of him for two months as he recovered. Somewhere along the way, I’d fallen in love with him without realizing it.
But at that time, his heart had belonged to Gemma Walken.
Clinton had rejected me more than once. He would say, “Suzy, helping you was my choice. If it had been any other girl that night, I’d have done the same thing.”
I would shake my head and say tearfully, “Clinton, I love you. I’m certain it’s not out of guilt.”
He’d wiped away my tears. “Give me some time. I need to figure out how I feel about us.”
I had been so desperate for his love that I eagerly agreed. But not long after, I’d received news that Clinton and Gemma had gotten together.
