Unwanted Husband, Unstoppable Man

ur future, was real. I dreamed of a family, of a home f

ek Chen

ry five years ago for a bigger opportunity, leaving her behind. I knew th

ention here, a text message there.

oices from the study. Olivia and her brother, Alex. I

" Alex's voice was low. "Bringing him b

cold, sharp. "Ethan

I pressed my ear

n. "And he looks enough like Derek from a distance. It was comforting. B

acem

overing my mouth to keep from making a sound. All this time, all

n the sofa, talking about old times. She laughed, a genuine, happy lau

is face to my reflection in the dark glass of the window. The same dark hair. The same jawline. The same b

rdship and struggle. He said he was cheated by a foreign company, that he lost everything. He cried in front of

his ex-wife who left him and took their son, leaving him with noth

e should leave, that he was causing t

n his eyes. "It's not right. I'll go.

"Don't you dare leave, Derek. I won't lose you a

I was fading, becoming invisible. I turned and walked out of t

I didn't know where to go. The home I

rk. When I finally returned to the apartment the next morning

s. Stone chan

opened. Olivia walked out, holding the hand of a small bo

t four years old. H

mirk played on his lips. He walked right up

lobby to hear. "I want to thank you. You did a great job keepin

d to look. Their eyes were full of curiosity and pit

her to say something, to defen

g. Her silence was louder than any insult. It was an agreement. My h