Then Xavier ran up to Hunter. “Play with me, daddy!”
Hunter put the gardening equipment down and picked Xavier up. “You promised me you’d finish your homework, Xavier,” he whispered. “If you’re a man, you’re going to see it through no matter what.”
Xavier pouted unhappily, but he didn’t throw a tantrum. Oh, he was taught well. Since Xavier had calmed down, Hunter went back to the house. “Let’s talk inside.”
Emery didn’t blow up in front of the kid, but she still looked irked. And no, she wasn’t following because she relented. I knew her too well.
Emery yanked Xavier away from Hunter the moment we entered the living room. Xavier didn’t recognize her at first because she was gone for more than a month, and she had heavy makeup on. The boy kept struggling, but he quieted down the moment she spoke.
“Mrs. Eriksen,” Emery called the servant. “Take Xavier upstairs. It’s study time.”
“Yes.”
Emery called the shots in the house. Xavier knew that, so he let Mrs. Eriksen take him away.
Once her son was gone, Emery turned back to Hunter. “I thought I said I don’t want to see you or anything related to you in here. Did you lose your class along with your job? Can’t you understand simple English now?”
After Hunter’s extramarital affair and assault were made public, his institution voided the contract the very same day. They also made a notice that slammed his actions. Because of that, his career was ruined, and he lost his source of income.
I only found out about it after John told me. Emery didn’t do it though. Hunter was too famous for his own good after marrying Emery. He had a lot of enemies who were just waiting for the chance to beat him while he was done, and Hunter gave them that chance.
The higher they were, the harder they fell.
Hunter was deep in his thoughts, then he looked at John and me with a frown. The heck? What’s that supposed to mean? Are we an eyesore now? This is Emery’s place. You’re the unwanted guest here.
John realized that faster than I did, so he raised his chin and squinted at Hunter. It was as if he was saying “We’re staying here. Bite us.”
Emery didn’t notice the silent tussle between them, though she was still impatient with him. “Cat got your tongue?”
Hunter sat on the sofa beside Emery, ignoring us. “I’ve been taking care of Xavier and tended to everything in the house in your absence. I realized I’ve been too harsh on you. I’ve given it a lot of thought, and I think we should give it one more shot.”
John and I looked at each other, then we gasped. The heck? How could he even say that after what he did?
Emery laughed mirthlessly. “Alright. Tell me this: what about Delilah and the baby?” She threw him a mocking look.
Hunter had a serious look on his face. He stared down, resolving himself, then he answered, “Xavier’s still young. He should grow up with both his parents there for him. My parents persuaded Delilah to withdraw the lawsuit after the marriage. She’ll deliver the baby, and we’ll give her a house and a million. Then that’s the end of it between us. My parents’ relatives are going to raise that kid.”
Getting a decent house in K City and paying a million in compensation was going to take a lot out of Hunter, especially after losing his job.
Still, he was a piece of trash. All he cared about was himself. Even if he was better looking than Emery, that didn’t mean he could tell anyone how to live their life.
