03
When I paid the private investigator, Ashley
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contacted me.
She asked me to meet her at a villa in the
suburbs.
The warm–toned house was cozy, unlike the
house Frank and I shared.
He always liked things simple, our house had
nothing but black and white furniture.
Ashley sat on the couch, looking at her
manicure.
“So, you finally know about Frank and me.”
Now that she had Danny’s heart, she wasn’t
pretending anymore.
“Frank told me he was bringing Mikey and me
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Fann LOTU TO NO
Vinoy anu 1110
home, so Mikey could be legitimized.”
I stared at her.
“Is that why you called me?”
I said to Ashley, causing her to freeze up, and
she abruptly stood up.
“Who do you think you are? Frank’s wife?”
“Don’t dream! You think Frank loves you?”
“He did what he did for me and Mikey…”
She stopped, but she couldn’t hold it in.
“In love, the one who isn’t loved is the side
chick! Even if it’s a kid!”
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“My Mikey is Frank’s only son! Everything is
his!”
“And your dead kid? Just burn some offerings
for him, it’s not like he can enjoy it!”
I was angry.
I wanted to hit her, but she was too strong for
- me.
She leaned in, “Serves you right, you couldn’t
even protect your kid.”
I felt so much shame, that I wanted to
scream.
I managed to push her away, but she pulled
my hand to her face and slapped herself.
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She fell, looking at me.
“Sister, I’m sad Danny died, but what did I do
to you?”
Before I could react, someone pushed me and
I hit my head on the coffee table and started
bleeding.
Frank was right there, but he rushed to Ashley
instead.
“Baby, are you okay?”
Ashley shook her head.
“Honey, my head hurts.”
Frank frowned at me, “Sarah, your kid died,
stop going insane!”
“Apologize to Ashley!”
I was furious, “Frank, my son, was also your
son.”
“He called you Dad for four years!”
Frank froze, staring at the bracelet on his
wrist.
He felt like it weighed a thousand pounds.
He started shaking, and backed away from
my stare.
He turned his back to me, feeling like
someone had grabbed his heart, making it
hard to breathe.
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He abruptly grabbed her.
“Ashley, I’ll take you to the hospital.”
Frank held Ashley, and walked out, heavy as
he passed me.
I was alone.
In my hand, I had the recording I just took,
along with all the evidence the private
investigator gave me.
One video showed Danny, covered in blood,
reaching out to Frank.
“Daddy, help me, it hurts…”
But Frank didn’t move, watching the boy’s
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hand fall.
I looked at Danny’s face, and the desire for
his dad, the shift from hope, confusion, and
then despair.
My son knew his dad hated him when he was
dying.
What was he thinking?
What did I do wrong, or why does my dad
hate me?
Or, run, Mom…
I felt so much pain, that I started shaking.
Someone came from behind me.
A five–year–old boy, pale, holding a toy plane.
He asked, “Who are you? Why are you here?”
His face was so familiar, his heartbeat was
the same.
I stared at his chest, the heart that belonged
to my son, beating.
If it weren’t for Mikey, my Danny would still
be alive.
So, why is he still alive when my baby is
gone?
My eyes froze over, and I slowly crouched
down to him.
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“Mikey, be good.”
“Come home with me, and I’ll give you
candy.”
On the way to the hospital, Frank frowned.
He kept replaying my words, and he felt like
he was getting crushed.
The phone rang, breaking the silence.
It was my voice, cold as a robot.
“Frank, I have Mikey.”
The car abruptly stopped, and Frank gripped
Г
A dark thought ran through his head.
Did she… know the truth?
