Chapter 7
For a few days, I enjoyed a much-needed break from all the chaos. Kenji had finally stopped bothering me, but then Mikayla started acting weird. Her social media was overflowing with emo music lyrics like “I still think of you” and “Stuck in memories,” along with existential captions such as “This rushed ending doesn’t match the beautiful beginning.” Her constant posts were too much, so I decided to unfriend her.
The day the court’s decision came through felt like being reborn. I was finally free from the suffocating home and Kenji, who had been draining my spirit. It was time to start living for myself. I took a week off and flew straight to a small island in the Caribbean for a vacation. Even after dividing the savings, I had more than enough to splurge a little.
The Caribbean sun warmed my heart. Every day, I’d soak it up, go out to sea with local fishermen, or trek into the forest to catch lobsters the size of my head. Everything was smooth sailing. My spirits soared, and I fell asleep happy every night, dreamless.
On the day I returned, as soon as I landed, I spotted a familiar face at the exit. Kenji was wearing oversized sunglasses, like he was trying to avoid being noticed. I’d almost forgotten- he’d gained some fame as a model, having worked with a few renowned brands.
I lowered my head, trying to dodge him, but he saw me right away.
‘Emmeline, over here…”
sped up, pretending not to hear.
Without missing a beat, Kenji ran up to me.
‘Emmeline, it’s me. I came specifically to pick you up.”
‘I checked your social media for your flight info today.”
‘I’ve been here since this morning, waiting for you.”
Looking at his unadorned yet pale lips, I believed him. Kenji suffered from mild anemia; if he didn’t eat on time, his lips would turn pale. But nothing he did made any difference to me.
“Do you need something from me?”
I kept my distance, politely.
Kenji stood there, momentarily taken aback.
“I… I just wanted to see you.”
“I was afraid calling would interrupt your vacation.”
So, he’d been following my social media posts all along. I should probably thank him for not bothering me in one of the world’s happiest places.
“Kenji, we’re divorced. Have you forgotten?”
“You received the court’s decision, right?”
Kenji’s eyes filled with tears instantly.
“I know I messed up, Emmeline. I won’t go out anymore; I’ll stay home with you.”
“Please, don’t leave me. Without you, I can’t handle my dad.”
A jolt of concern shot through me.
“What happened with your dad? Is he okay?”
Kenji’s tears kept flowing.
“A few days ago, Dad went out alone and suddenly couldn’t remember his way. He fell and spent the night outside.”
“He just regained consciousness yesterday.”
Thank goodness the weather wasn’t too cold; otherwise, he could have frozen out there.
My anger flared.
“I told you to take good care of him, to visit more often. Why didn’t you listen?”
Kenji started sobbing, his shoulders shaking uncontrollably, drawing the attention of people passing by.
“Where is your dad now?”
Kenji looked up.
“He’s at Mercy Hospital. The doctor said…”
I rushed out of the airport in a heartbeat.
