Chapter 2

"Jude." Seeing I didn't respond, she called to me.

"Ezra's condition is really bad. I can't just leave him... Trust me, I have no feelings for him."

"I only had three kids with him, but my heart has always been with you."

I was dazed and only realized she was already leaning on me.

"I know you can't accept it right away, but it's okay. We can take our time until you can accept me."

Seeing her silently crying with red-rimmed eyes, my hands involuntarily embraced her. I admit, I softened. Maybe I should give her another chance.

After a few busy days at the company, I returned home. As I entered, I found the living room in disarray, with kitchen spices mixed with water all over the floor. I felt uneasy and rushed to the study, only to find my laptop shattered on the floor. The USB drive with important data was also crushed.

"Who let you in here!"

I yelled at the kids outside the living room, but it was Ezra who appeared instead. He was in pajamas, looking sleepy.

"Jude, why are you here?"

"This is my house. I should be the one asking that! How dare you come in?"

I pushed past him, trying to enter the bedroom, but he blocked my way.

"Jude, I don't have much time left. Can you not push so hard?"

I looked at him in disbelief. "How am I pushing you?"

As soon as I said it, he kneeled on the ground.

"Jude, I'm begging you, please let me go!"

I was startled and reached out to help him, but he suddenly collapsed.

"What are you doing, Jude!"

Nora pushed me away abruptly, helping Ezra up with concern. Just as she was about to speak, the three kids knelt and cried.

"Mommy, this bad uncle... he bullied Daddy, boo hoo hoo..."

I was furious. "You're the ones who broke into my study and destroyed my laptop and USB drive!"

"Enough, Jude, stop pretending!" Nora interrupted anxiously.

"Those kids are so young. How could they have broken your stuff? I know you're unhappy with Ezra, but you shouldn't make him kneel!"

"Don't you know he has a terminal illness and doesn't have much time left?"

"He just wants to spend the remaining time with the kids."

Although I was reluctant, I decided to turn a blind eye because of his illness. To make it up to me, Nora made my favorite dishes. But halfway through the meal, I suddenly felt itchy all over. Everything blurred before my eyes.

"What did you put in the food?"

As soon as I spoke, one of the kids jumped up.

"Uncle, I added some super tasty stuff for you!"

He pulled out a few peanuts from his pocket, showing them off.

"Call 911 now!" I anxiously looked at Nora, but she just watched me like it was a show.

"It's just peanuts in the food. An allergy isn't losing a limb. Do you really need to call 911? Are you that fragile?"

"Someone could die if you don't call!"

I struggled to get the words out, but Nora remained indifferent.