Chapter 04
1231 Words
BLAIR’S POV
I gasp, my feet already moving but Blaise is faster.
He scoops Hailey into his arms, not caring if his knees hit the floor hard enough to bruise, then hold her close as he comforts her.
“It’s okay, princess.” He pats her back as I rush over, my eyes immediately scanning her for any sign of injury.
“She’s fine,” he tells me.
Only then do I breathe, pressing my fingers to my temple.
I turn to ask Skylar why she made no effort to stop her son from lunging at my daughter but the words die in my throat. Oliver is beside her, crouched down, and comforting the boy who’s now crying for scraping his knee.
It feels like someone reaches into my chest and rips my heart out.
Still watching, he rubs Ezra’s knees, pulling the boy into his chest, and never once spares a glance at Hailey. How can he be so cruel?
I know he’s been absent from our lives. I know he’s the kind of man who betrays his daughter, lies about work, and then spends her birthday with another family. Still, it hurts. It breaks something in me to see how little he cares for us…for her.
Oliver lifts Ezra into his arms and turns toward me while Skylar stands close at his side, positioned so that half his body shields her as they face us together.
He shakes his head. “This has been embarrassing enough.”
Embarrassing.
Is that what he calls it? What’s more embarrassing than the failure of a father who doesn’t even look at his own child?
“Blair, don’t be angry with a kid,” he adds, as if he hasn’t already said enough. “I understand you don’t like Skylar, even though she used to be your friend. But just because she’s made mistakes in the past doesn’t mean you take it out on her child.”
“He tried to push me,” Hailey cries, pointing at Ezra and I catch the scowl on Skylar’s face.
I look to Oliver, giving him one last chance to do the right thing. Maybe this is where he finally stands up for his child, where he corrects the boy, apologizes to Hailey, and makes this right.
“Hailey, be generous and forgive your friend,” he says instead. “He’s just a child like you, so don’t hold malice.”
“Don’t hold malice?” I cut in, folding my arms tight across my chest. “What about cautioning the child in your arms? He tried to hurt her.”
“Children throw tantrums all the time,” he counters. “Please don’t make this about you.”
My lips part in shock, the words I had ready slipping away. I stare at him, then at Skylar, wondering what I’ve done to deserve this…this public humiliation, delivered in front of my child. Wondering what sin I committed to let Hailey witness something so ugly on her birthday.
“Ezra is always gentle,” Skylar adds, rubbing the back of his head. “I’m sure he just felt triggered. You’re a mother yourself so you should understand how children are.”
I do understand. And I also know I can’t let them walk over me anymore.
I turn to Blaise. “Please take Hailey home.”
“You’ll let him take our daughter unsupervised?” Oliver snaps, stepping closer.
Blaise doesn’t even look at him. He simply adjusts Hailey in his arms and walks away.
And of course, Oliver doesn’t follow. He stays right where he is beside Skylar.
Maybe this is my fault. Maybe I’m the one who taught him he could get away with this by discarding my happiness for the hope of a complete family. I put myself last everytime so Hailey wouldn’t be whispered about at school. So no one would label her broken before she even understood what the word meant.
I let Oliver walk over me more times than I can count because it felt easier than walking away. Easier than splitting up and risking my child’s future.
But there’s only so much a woman can take.
I step closer, until we’re only inches apart. “We’ve been married for six years, and I’ve never once made you choose,” I say. “Today, you will.”
His jaw tightens.
“You can only be one child’s father, one woman’s husband and there is no in-between.” I hold his gaze. “Make your choice.”
“Let’s talk somewhere else,” he says, reaching for my hand but I pull back before he can touch me.
“I’m not going anywhere.” I tell him. “I want your answer right now.”
“Blair, this isn’t you,” he shakes his head. “You’ve never acted like this, what’s gotten into you?”
“I’m choosing myself,” I reply. “That’s what. Now answer me.”
He drags a hand down his face and looks at Skylar like she holds the answer he’s too cowardly to give.
She, on the other hand, can’t even bother to hide the anger and envy in her gaze…the same look she’d secretly worn toward me for years, until she finally latched onto Oliver.
“If you really love your husband and trust him, you wouldn’t feel threatened by our friendship,” she purrs. “After all, I met him before you. We were childhood friends and I had every opportunity to take him for myself but I didn’t.” Her lips curve faintly. “Making him choose like this only makes it look like you can’t control your home and rumors spread fast, don’t they?”
“Shut up, Skylar,” I glare at her. “Aren’t you ashamed of yours…?”
“She’s right,” Oliver cuts in, stealing the words from my mouth. My blood boils as I look at him, rage rising with every word, while Skylar smirks beside him.
“Listen,” he continues, “Skylar means no harm. You’re taking this the wrong way, and it shouldn’t affect our marriage. She’s been through hardships, and I don’t want that to affect her, especially Ezra who’s just a child. You have everything, while she has nothing.”
A surge of heat rises to my face, a hollow ache blooming in my gut. I scoff with bitterness. I can’t believe he can’t even choose me, for the sake of our marriage, for the sake of being together for years.
Everything I’ve sacrificed, every piece of my happiness I’ve shoved aside for the sake of our family…I realize now it was all for nothing. I’ve stayed in this loveless marriage, swallowed my pride, bent myself, and for what? For him to choose Skylar and her child over us?
I take a deep breath, wiping every expression from my face. “I want a divorce.”
His eyes bulge. “What?”
“I said, I want a divorce.” I repeat, then start to turn away.
“What do you think you’re doing, Blair?” He grabs my hand but I yank it free from his grip, facing him with anger.
“Now, you can have the family you really want.” I turn to Skylar, letting every ounce of contempt show. “Congratulations. He’s your problem now.”
- Writer
