Chapter 9
“Lorraine, you’ve been asked to come to the office tomorrow for an
assessment,” Kendall suddenly said as she entered through the side door while we were having dinner.
“Really?” Lorraine’s face lit up.
“Thanks so much, Kendall.”
“How did you get a call so quickly, Lorraine? You’re amazing, Kendall,” Ruth
chimed in.
“Didn’t Kendall say she knows a lot of bosses, Mom?” I added.
“Of course. When you work, you need to be sociable like me. I know managers, even directors,” Kendall said smugly.
“See, Sarah? You should learn from Kendall. When you start working, spend more time learning from her,” Ruth advised me.
“What?! Did I hear that right?‘ I felt like laughing out loud just then.
“Yeah, Kendall is very friendly at the office. That’s why so many people misunderstand her,” Derrick said, glancing at me.
What was that supposed to mean?
“You’re not only friendly, but pretty too, so it’s no wonder people get the wrong. idea,” Lorraine praised Kendall.
“Sarah, you should learn to dress up like Kendall. Maybe then Derrick will stay home and not come back late,” Ruth said, laughing mockingly.
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” I answered and quickly finished my dinner.
“Hah, whatever you do, she’ll stay the same, Mom. So tacky. Hahaha,” Lorraine said, laughing happily.
‘We’ll see who gets the last laugh, Lorraine.‘
“Where are you going to work?” Derrick asked once we were in the bedroom.
“At a property company.”
When do you start?”
“The day after tomorrow.” I replied, trying to stay awake.
Tm sleepy, Derrick I added. Derrick was still busy with his phone.
Soon after, I fell asleep.
In the middle of the night, I woke up feeling thirsty. As I sat up, I noticed something was off. Derrick wasn’t next to me. I turned on the light and saw it was already four in the morning.
I checked the bathroom, but he wasn’t there. I stepped out with the same. purpose: to find Derrick. My thirst was replaced by curiosity.
I opened the guest bathroom. He wasn’t there either. My mind started racing with awful thoughts.
Slowly, I went to the kitchen. Maybe he was there. But he wasn’t.
There was one place I suspected since the beginning. But I had to check Ruth and Gillian’s rooms first.
I peeked into Ruth’s room. She was asleep. Then, I checked my daughter’s room. Gillian was sleeping soundly.
I exhaled roughly. My heart was pounding. My body was trembling. Could my suspicion be true?
“Oh God, please give me strength.”
I steeled myself to face whatever truth awaited. Slowly, I walked to the living room. The door to the side unit was clearly visible.
I stopped. I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
I stepped closer, stopping right in front of the door.
I was startled by the sounds…
“Oh my God… Those were moaning sounds.
244
+ instinctively covered my gaping mouth almost screamed.
It Gillian weren’t in the house, I would’ve screamed as loud as I could. I would have woken everyone up to witness the disgraceful act of these two people. Even if the whole neighborhood barged in, I’d be fine with
No. I didn’t want to traumatize my daughter. I’d handle this my way.
I slowly opened the door. I didn’t care about the sight I might see. My heart was racing.
The door opened.
“Derrick Dane!
“What the hell!”
“Sarah!” Kendall shrieked, facing me.
Derrick jumped up, hurriedly grabbing his scattered clothes.
Kendall looked surprisingly calm. She even smiled at me mockingly.
My anger flared as I approached her, and gave her the hardest slap I could
muster.
“Ah!!!” Kendall stared at me, holding her cheek, clearly shocked I would do such. a thing. After all, she always thought I was a pushover.
“You slut!” I shouted.
“Enough, Sarah! Enough! Mom will wake up from this ruckus. Let’s go back to the bedroom!” Derrick grabbed my hand, pulling me out of the side unit.
“You bitch! You only have yourself to blame for not keeping up appearances,” Kendall shouted from the bed, trying to cover herself with a blanket.
My eyes widened. I wanted to slap Kendall again, but Derrick’s grip was too strong, pulling me out of the room. ‘Watch out, Kendall. I’ll get back at the both of you soon enough.‘
struggled to free myself from Derrick’s grip.
“Let go of me!”
+25 BONUS
“You disgust me! Get lost!” I finally freed my hand from Derrick’s grasp.
“What’s all the noise about?” Ruth suddenly came out of her room. It was
almost dawn.
“Derrick having sex with Kendall… in her room!” I declared loudly.
Derrick glared at me.
“Derrick, did you really do that?!” Ruth screamed at him.
Derrick nodded.
“Derrick, you’ve defiled Kendall? How could you do that to her? What will I tell Sonia?” Ruth wailed.
The hell? Seriously? I’m the one who’s hurt here. Why are you sympathizing with the homewrecker instead?‘
“Mom, I want a divorce.”
“W–what?” Ruth and Derrick exclaimed in unison.
“Sarah, how will you live if you leave Derrick? Where will you stay? I can’t bear to see my granddaughter live in hardship with you.”
“Don’t worry about that, Mom,” I replied.
“Derrick, let’s get divorced right now!” I said, my voice trembling.
Derrick stared at me in silence.
Then…
