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“Emily,help me,please!”
“Tommy didn’t mean to hurt your brother. He knows he’s wrong. Talk to Daniel—forgive Tommy,let’s live well.”
Tears streamed down her face as she clutched my arm like a lifeline.
“Tommy’s his son. Blood’s thicker than water!”
“Tell Daniel I don’t care about his mistress.If he cuts her off,Tommy and I will welcome him back!”
I feigned difficulty.
“Lily,it’s not that I won’t help,but Daniel’s set on divorce.”
She tried to kneel.
I yanked her up.”Don’t do this!”
Not in a crowded hallway—moral blackmail!
I spoke earnestly.
“Lily,you know I adore you and I hate this too! .”
“But that woman and her kid have been at the hospital dailyt o tending to him.”
“I think Daniel’s heart’s with them.”
“Today,fetching water,I overheard him tell her to wait—he’ll divorce you once discharged.”
“Then he’ll marry her,legitimize their kid.”
Seeing her doubt,I upped the ante.
“And Lily,I heard him say your$806,300 savings will go to them,leaving you and Tommy with nothing.”
“As Tommy’s aunt,I can’t bear him losing his dad!”
I pulled out$200.”I just paid my car loan,but take this for you and Tommy to eat well.It’s my love as his aunt.”
Lily believed me instantly.
Only she and Daniel knew their exact savings,down to the cent.
How else would I know unless I overheard?
Clutching the money,her smile was strained.
“Okay,Emily.Go rest.”
“Tommy’s waiting for dinner.”
I nodded and went home.
Unexpectedly, early the next morning, I was awakened by the noise downstairs.
From the hallway,I saw Lily’s open door.
Daniel’s mistress, Nancy,was at her house,causing a scene.
Yesterday, Nancy had stopped me.
Chin up,she sneered,”You’re Daniel’s sister,right?”
“I’m Nancy, your future sister-in-law!”
“Stay away from that hag, got it?”
She strutted off,leaving me stunned.
Now,Nancy leaned on Lily’s door,blowing her nails.
“You’re Daniel’s hag?”
“Agree to the divorce. Part nicely.”
“You’re so fat,you’re oozing grease.I can smell it from here!”
“I’m a woman,and I’m repulsed. Imagine Daniel!”
She grabbed Lily’s chin,inspecting her face,then ripped off her shirt.
Lily’s half-missing nipple was exposed.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, Look at you now. Your face is sagging worse than my grandma's. You look so old. If we walked out together, people would believe that you're my mother!”
“Daniel didn’t lie—your kid bit off your nipple?”
“Who’d want you looking like this?”
“Daniel’s offering a peaceful divorce. Agree that, and I might get him to give you$20,000.Drag it out,and we’ll make sure you leave with nothing!”
