PART 2: THE BLOOD THAT SHOULDN’T EXIST
He bowed. Not deeply, but enough that the two nurses behind the counter immediately straightened. I froze. “Director Chu…?” Chu Minh Duc looked at the people gathering…
PART 2: THE NAME HE PROMISED HER
“What are you going to do?” I looked at the clock on the living-room wall. 3:21 p.m. Hua Nghien would not be home for nearly six hours….
PART 2: FOR SEVEN YEARS I CALLED IT CARE—UNTIL THE MEDICAL REPORT SHOWED WHAT MY HUSBAND HAD REALLY BEEN DOING
Clara took me directly to the hospital. Not home. Not to Daniel. Not even to my parents. To the hospital. She arranged for another specialist to examine…
PART 2: HE SENT ME 200,000 YUAN TO DISAPPEAR—THEN DISCOVERED THE WOMAN HE THREW AWAY OWNED 42 BILLION
I stared at the black card on the bedside table. For three years, I had calculated every household expense. Groceries. Medicine for Chu Thua Yen’s mother. Gifts…
PART 2: SHE CAME BACK TO BURY HER BROTHER—THEN THE EVIDENCE REVEALED WHO HAD BEEN LYING FOR THREE YEARS
Elena stared at Adrian. “What proof?” He looked around the airport before lowering his voice. “Ethan’s phone.” Her fingers tightened around the suitcase handle. “They found it?”…
PART 2: HE FORCED ME TO SIGN THE DIVORCE—THEN DISCOVERED MY FATHER HAD OWNED THE POWER BEHIND HIS FAMILY FOR SIX YEARS
The first line on the document read: THE OLIVIA HARPER FAMILY TRUST — 58.4% VOTING INTEREST IN WHITMAN HOLDINGS. I read it again. Then a third time….
PART 2: FOR EIGHT YEARS I CALLED HER UNFORGIVING—UNTIL MY MOTHER NEEDED A CAREGIVER AND I FINALLY UNDERSTOOD WHY MY WIFE NEVER CAME BACK
My brother said it as if the solution were obvious. “Thank goodness you have Elena. She’s a nurse.” I looked at him. Marcos continued: “She can take…
PART 2: HE THOUGHT I WAS JEALOUS OF HIS “SISTER”—UNTIL HE DISCOVERED I HAD BEEN IN A CAR CRASH AND NEVER ONCE THOUGHT TO CALL HIM
Daniel did not follow me. That was the final proof I needed. I walked out of the emergency room with one knee bandaged, my hand wrapped, and…
PART 2: HE SENT ME TO HAWAII SO HE COULD STAY WITH HER—THEN DISCOVERED I HAD GONE SOMEWHERE HE COULD NEVER FOLLOW
Forty-eight hours later, Adrian returned to our apartment. He was carrying flowers. Not my favorite ones. Lilies. Vanessa liked lilies. That alone would once have ruined my…
PART 2: HE THOUGHT OUR SON WAS STILL WAITING AT THE CLINIC—UNTIL HE CAME HOME AND FOUND THE DIVORCE PAPERS BESIDE AN EMPTY BED
Alejandro returned home that night carrying another bag of groceries. “Fernanda?” No answer. He placed the bag on the table and frowned. “Santi?” Silence. For the first…