Chapter 1
After reviewing the contents of the divorce agreement, Tracie Nixon sent a copy to both her lawyer and the court clerk.
Once she had taken care of that, she picked up her phone and dialed Grover Stanton’s number.
The call was quickly answered.
His voice was cold and distant, making Tracie feel a chill. “What is it?”
“How about we have dinner together tonight, the three of us?” Tracie asked softly. She paused, then added, “I’ve al- ready made a reservation.”
Today marked the sixth anniversary of her marriage to Grover. It was also Tracie’s birthday.
It should also, perhaps, be the last dinner the three of them would share together.
Tracie hoped he wouldn’t turn her down.
“Send me the address.” His tone was flat, almost indifferent. After saying that, he immediately hung up.
Tracie managed a weak smile. It was 4 p.m. now. She slipped the two printed documents into her bag, planning to give them to Grover after dinner. Then, she grabbed her bag and headed out to pick up their daughter Wendi Stanton.
Half an hour later, she arrived at Wendi’s kindergarten.
Just as she was about to get out of the car, she saw Grover and Juliana Everett walking toward her, holding Wendi’s hands.
The three of them were chatting and laughing, clearly looking like a happy, content family.
Wendi innocently looked up at Juliana and said, “I want Juliana to pick me up from school every day. I don’t want Mommy to pick me up. Juliana is prettier and more polite than Mommy, and all the teachers at school like her. Ju- liana, when are you going to be my mommy?”
“Why do you ask that?” Juliana asked with a curious smile.
“Because Daddy and I both don’t like Mommy. Juliana, you should come live with us soon. Then I can see you every day. I want us to be best friends!” Wendi said with a sweet, teasing expression.
Inside the car, Tracie forced a smile. She had mentally prepared for this harsh reality.
But hearing Wendi say that she hated her, call someone else “Mommy,” and ask to live with someone else still felt like a sharp, painful tear in her heart.
Juliana looked at Wendi seriously. “Wendi, you shouldn’t say things like that about your mom. If she hears you, she
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might give you a really painful spanking.”
Wendi smiled proudly. “My mom would never spank me. She says I’m her life!
“By the way, Juliana, today is your birthday. I know you really want the sapphire necklace that my mom has. I’ll call her now and tell her to send it to you. My mom might not like you, but she always listens to me!”
As she spoke, Wendi tapped her smartwatch and dialed Tracie’s number.
The phone in the car rang immediately.
The three of them walking toward the car turned around and looked directly at Tracie’s vehicle.
Reluctantly, Tracie got out of the car and awkwardly met the gazes of Grover, Wendi, and Juliana.
“Mom, you’re secretly following us? How can you be so annoying?” Wendi scolded Tracie, sounding like a little adult.
Tracie smiled faintly, her face pale. “Wendi, do you remember what today is?”
“Of course! Today is Juliana’s birthday!” Wendi replied cheerfully.
Tracie gave a disappointed smile.
Wendi looked at her. “Mom, hurry up and bring me that necklace you took from Juliana last time. I want to give it to her for her birthday,”
“Wendi, that necklace was originally mine,” Tracie said softly, her voice laced with sadness.
She wasn’t going to make a scene in front of Wendi.
Wendi was left speechless.
She looked up at Grover with pleading eyes.
“I forgot today was Juliana’s birthday, so I’m canceling our dinner plans for tonight, the three of us,” Grover said, looking directly at Tracie, his tone indifferent.
So, he knew today was her birthday and their anniversary.
