Chapter 3

“—MARCO IS IN THE HOSPITAL.”

“What?” My mind went blank.

“My son is in the hospital, Zura. Hayen is with him, and I’m on my way! Where the hell are you? Why aren’t you the one with Marco?” I looked at Linae, whose eyes were filled with unspoken questions as I answered the call. But I remained frozen, stunned by the news as I listened to my husband on the phone.

I didn’t know what to do. The moment I heard it, my mind filled with terrible thoughts about what might have happened to Marco. I grabbed my things in a rush, forgetting even to say goodbye to Linae. My thoughts were consumed by Marco. I may not be the best stepmother, but I know I’ve always treated him decently. Never in my life had I wished him harm.

Nikkoz was furious. Looking back, I knew from this morning he wanted me to take care of Marco. But instead, here I was, shopping with Linae. Yes, I was wrong. No matter how I twist my reasons, I can’t justify putting my plans ahead of watching over Marco.

I was speeding toward the hospital Nikkoz mentioned, not caring about anything around me. I didn’t even think about what might happen if I crashed. All I wanted was to get there as fast as possible. I was worried—not just about Marco, but about what Nikkoz would think. He loves his son deeply, and I know that if he had to choose between me and Marco, he’d choose his child.

I was afraid that he might leave me because I failed as his wife. After all, I was only with him because his family thought I was perfect for him. But if all the reasons that made me “perfect” fall apart, would he still want me?

As I arrived at the hospital, I parked quickly and rushed to the nurses’ station.

“Excuse me, where is Marco Cañedo’s room?” I asked.

“PR 507, Ma’am.”

I didn’t waste a second. I half-ran down the hall. Once in front of the door, I paused to gather myself, took a deep breath, and tried to clear my mind. I knew Nikkoz was already inside. The office was closer than the mall I chose to go to.

Just as I was about to open the door, it swung open. A doctor walked out, and I stood frozen when I saw Nikkoz and the child’s mother inside. They were standing beside the bed, holding Marco, who had an oxygen mask on.

For a moment, I felt jealous. They looked like a perfect family. The mother was holding Marco with such tenderness, crying, while my husband comforted her with a hand on her back. But I turned my attention to the child.

What really happened? Nikkoz told me Marco was in the hospital, but we hadn’t spoken about the cause.

Even with a heavy heart, I entered the room. I’m not the type to make a scene, even when I feel wronged, I choose to stay calm. Even when it hurts, I try to understand.

They turned to look at me as I walked closer. Nikkoz’s soft expression hardened the moment he saw me. I could see the anger and disappointment on his face.

I knew it.

I had failed.

Even though I didn’t know the full story, I was the one to blame. He left his child in my care, and I wasn’t even there when this happened.

My husband whispered something to Marco, and the child nodded. Then Nikkoz walked toward me with a serious expression.

I spoke first. “I’m sorry. Something came up and—”

“Let’s talk outside, Zura,” he said, then walked out and slammed the door behind him.

That loud slam made my chest tighten. I was nervous—again. Honestly, it never stopped.

I followed him, fidgeting with my fingers.

He walked toward the stairs, heading to the hospital’s rooftop.

Once we arrived, he took a deep, furious breath.

“I’m really sorry, Nikkoz—”

“Stop saying sorry! I want to know why you left Marco when I clearly told you to stay with him!” he shouted.

“Damn it! Do you even know what happened? He drowned in the pool and no one was there!”

I was shocked when I learned the reason Marco ended up in the hospital. He drowned.

“What the hell were you doing, leaving the kid alone?”

“I left him with Hayen...”

“Hayen was busy with the house chores! It’s not her job to watch Marco. Of course she focused on cleaning!”

“Fine! It’s my fault! I was out pampering myself, and the truth is, I didn’t want to watch him. What’s new? You knew from the start I didn’t want this. I didn’t even want kids, but you brought Marco into our lives and expected me to care for him. Why don’t you take care of him, since that’s clearly what you want? A child. Why dump the responsibility on me?”

I was furious. I hated it. I hated how he made me carry the burden, then blamed me when it all went wrong. This is exactly why I never wanted kids. They just complicate everything. Everything was perfect, if only this hadn’t happened, if only that child wasn’t in our lives.

“Damn it, Zura! This is too much! Even if you didn’t want to care for him as a stepmother, at least you could’ve watched over him as a human being! He’s not some toy you can just abandon whenever you feel like it!”

“I’m so disappointed in you. Don’t show me your face right now, or I might forget you’re my wife.” Then he left.

He left me on the rooftop with those cruel, cutting words.

So this is how it ends? Just because of his son, our relationship might fall apart? I don’t care what others think about me being a bad stepmother. I just want peace.

Even with a shattered heart, I managed to pull myself together. I went to Marco’s room. I know Nikkoz said he didn’t want to see me, but I needed to check on them. I didn’t plan to go in, I just wanted to take a quick look.

But I didn’t expect that one glance through the door would hurt more than anything else.

Nikkoz was there, happily talking to his son and the child’s mother. As if we never argued. As if nothing had happened. His eyes were shining.

And here I was... hurting, crying.

...sairenithy...

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