Everett was livid, glaring at Evan.
Claire's scolding grew increasingly intense, eventually even roping in Zoe.
"If it weren't for your incompetence, would it have come to this? Can't keep your man, can't even have a child! You're good-for-nothing!"
Zoe pressed her lips tightly, locking eyes with her.
Claire was agitated, as if ready to strike her.
"That's enough! How dare you blame Zoe for your son's wrongdoing?" Everett, infuriated by her absurd accusations, slammed the table again, causing the dishes to shift.
"You're helping an outsider?!" Claire roared, "You don't care for me now, right?!" She grabbed an unfinished plate and smashed it to the floor.
"Are you crazy?"
"You're the one who's crazy, siding with an outsider against us?!" She sobbed, sweeping all the dishes off the table, crashing them to the ground.
The noise was jarring, the scene chaotic.
The meal ended in discord.
Evan's head was cut and required three stitches at the hospital.
Plans to discuss work arrangements with Evangeline after dinner were postponed.
Zoe returned home to clean up the mess.
Why wouldn't he divorce? On what grounds?
Especially when his mistress was pregnant.
Thinking this, she stood up, touching her belly. There would never be a child here.
Sadness washed over her again.
Her phone rang, interrupting her thoughts.
It was an unfamiliar number. She hesitated before answering.
Before she could speak, the voice came through, "Miss Hartley, why didn't you come for your IV today?"
...She had forgotten, amazed at herself.
"Oh, sorry, I forgot..."
Edward found the woman peculiar, forgetting about her own health?
"If you're free today, come over. Don't delay it." He hung up hastily.
Zoe put down her phone and continued cleaning.
Many plates and bowls were shattered, only a few surviving unscathed, others chipped.
She considered buying a new set but paused, dismissing the idea.
Why did she has to buy it? She was getting a divorce. This place would no longer be her home.
Ironically, while homes of other people were havens, hers was a place where she cried alone under the covers for many nights and many times.
She laughed at herself bitterly, washing the remaining dishes.
The broken glass was bagged for disposal.
She left at two in the afternoon.
Edward was relieved to see her.
Zoe's face remained impassive as she waited for the IV to finish.
Afterward, she went home.
Still, no one was there.
For the first time in a long while, Evan initiated contact, telling her that Everett and Claire wouldn't be returning home, having checked into a hotel instead.
She was relieved too. Claire never liked her, and it was distressing to live under the same roof with her true colors exposed.
Claire probably felt the same.
In the middle of the night, Zoe was awakened by her phone.
Seeing an unknown number, she hesitated to answer.
But the caller persisted, as if determined to continue until she did.
Reluctantly, she answered.
"Are you Zoe?" the voice asked.
It sounded familiar.
Zoe closed her eyes and hummed in affirmation.
"Your husband doesn't love you anymore, yet you refuse to divorce?"
Her eyes remained shut, recognizing who it was.
They were well-informed.
Of course, she didn't want to appear weak before the mistress. "What does my divorce have to do with you?"
