Chapter 5
In the days that followed, I made a point to ignore Kenji Sullivan’s existence entirely. He must have received the court summons by now; that’s when he began to bombard me with furious
text messages.
“Emmeline, you cold-hearted woman! You’re nothing but an ungrateful witch.”
“Do you realize how many people are after me? You’re going to regret losing me.”
“Don’t come crying to me later; my heart’s as hard as stone, I’m warning you.”
I brushed off all his messages until I received a straightforward text from Mikayla Payne on
WhatsApp.
“Emmeline, we should meet up. Some things are better discussed in person.”
I wasn’t enthusiastic about responding, but then I thought: the divorce proceedings had begun- why should I shy away from facing the other woman? Not going would only make me seem timid. So, I agreed.
Mikayla scheduled the meeting for that evening at a beachfront family restaurant. As I entered, a waiter led me to the terrace, and I realized Mikayla had lured me into a trap. This wasn’t the intimate conversation I had anticipated. Sitting there were Kenji, his brother, and one of Kenji’s so-called “sisterly” friends. I recognized them but wasn’t particularly close to any of them.
“Well, look who’s here-the leading lady,” Huxley Ward, Kenji’s brother, jibed, eyeing me up and down. “Emmeline, it’s a private event, and here you are dressed so casually. Is your wardrobe running low?”
Kenji appeared ill at ease and attempted to steer Huxley away from his taunts. “She’s laid-back like that. Let’s all just take a seat.”
I had no intention of indulging Huxley, so I purposely sat far from him. Yet, he seemed fixated- bent on irritating me. As soon as the first course was served, Huxley couldn’t resist.
“Mikayla loves this dish, Emmeline-you made a great choice.”
“You’re really considerate towards Mikayla.”
Everyone stifled their laughter, periodically casting glances my way. I finally understood why Mikayla had invited me; she wanted to watch me squirm. I picked up a fork and took a bite of the spiced honey cake, retaliating with composure.
“Well, Kenji is kind to all the strays in the area, always feeding them. You know, he’s fickle. Today
it’s one person, tomorrow it’s another. You all better stay alert.”
Someone couldn’t suppress their laughter, making the atmosphere unbearably tense. Mikayla froze, her fork suspended above her plate. Kenji nudged Mikayla under the table, his demeanor softening slightly. Huxley shot me a hostile look.
When the second course arrived, Huxley had more to say.
“Keep the pulled pork away from Mikayla. She’s been feeling queasy around meat lately. Could she be pregnant? Congratulations, Emmeline.”
His mockery was clear. The room was filled with muted laughter. Even Mikayla managed a faint smile. I instantly put my fork down.
“If anyone deserves congratulations, it’s Mikayla, not me. Kenji and I haven’t shared a bed in more than two years. How could I possibly be the one expecting?”
“But Mikayla…” I sipped my coffee.
“Thank you for providing my husband with extended physical services. If there’s a baby, by all means, have it-I won’t stand in your way.”
The faces around the table grew visibly tense. Mikayla and Kenji’s expressions darkened. If the truth needed airing, it fell to me to do it, and this setting was ideal.
Everyone put their forks down simultaneously. Mikayla was the first to break the silence.
“I’m not pregnant.”
I resumed eating, unfazed, speaking between bites. “That’s unfortunate. You should get on
that.”
Mikayla grabbed a glass from the table and flung it past me, shattering it on the empty floor behind.
“What is the point of this? You’re making life difficult for both me and Kenji by not signing the divorce papers!”
