“That’s enough, Shawn,” said Yelena. “Candace is still going through her postpartum recovery. Her body is very weak, and she needs someone to care for her. If she doesn’t rest well during this recovery period, her body will be more predisposed to sickness.” Yelena rested a hand on Shawn’s arm as if staking her claim on him. Her smile was warm when she said, “Since Candace came looking for you, you should be good and follow her home today. Your baby is going to celebrate his one-month birthday soon. As his father, it’s not right that you haven’t held him even once.” Shawn scoffed. “I only had a baby with Candace to please the elders. The baby doesn’t deserve to be held by me.” He pinched Yelena’s cheek fondly and continued, “Although Nathan isn’t related to me, my heart feels much more at ease when I hold him.” Their conflict had attracted a crowd of onlookers by now. They formed a circle and whispered among themselves. “Oh my God! Isn’t that Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton? Candace risked her life bringing their baby into this world. How could Mr. Hamilton be so cruel to say such a thing?” “Candace was also the one who stayed by Mr. Hamilton’s side and took care of him during those three years he was blind. Why does it sound like he wants her dead?” “You’re right. Mr. Hamilton is such a bastard. A woman’s body is extremely weak right after giving birth, yet Candace’s husband isn’t showing her even a sliver of care. She’s quite pitiful.” Public opinion tended to shift with the wind. In this sort of situation, there were those who insulted Candace, and there were those who thought she was being mistreated. She had gotten used to it. Candace felt a stinging sensation at the back of her eyes as she gazed at Shawn’s disdainful expression. He had long forgotten that he had once risked his life and rushed into a raging fire to save her. He had forgotten how he had ignored everybody else’s objections and donated his bone marrow to her when she was diagnosed with leukemia. He had forgotten that he had once promised to love her forever, that they would never be apart. The only person who was a prisoner to those sweet memories was Candace, not Shawn. Fortunately, in three days’ time, Candace would completely disappear from his world. They would never see each other again. Jamie’s cries grew louder, causing Candace’s anxiety to spike. She shoved Yelena, who was blocking her path, and made a beeline for the nursing room that was at the end of the hallway. She could hear the sounds of a woman falling to the floor and a man’s surprised shout from beyond the door. Candace focused all her attention on nursing Jamie. Her phone kept ringing. When she saw that it was Shawn calling her, she decisively switched off the device. After calming Jamie down, she exited the nursing room and saw Shawn cradling Yelena as they rested on the bench. There was a band-aid on Yelena’s forehead, and her tears were rolling endlessly down her cheeks. “Please don’t blame Candace, Shawn. She accidentally pushed me because she was worried about her child. I’m sure she had no intentions to ruin my appearance.” Shawn scoffed. “She knows that your face is your most important asset when it comes to your work, but she still pushed you on purpose! Her heart is filled with nothing but malice!” A layer of ice had frosted over Shawn’s face when he yelled, “Candace Brightshield, get over here and apologize to Yelena now!” “There’s no need for that.” Although Yelena insisted that she didn’t need an apology, her eyes were overflowing with glee. Candace’s face was impassive as she watched Yelena. She took off the silver necklace that she never went anywhere without and handed it to Yelena. “I was the one who bumped into you today, so I’ll give you this to make it up to you.” Confusion flickered in Shawn’s eyes upon hearing Candace’s words. Yelena was also visibly surprised and pretended to reject Candace’s offer. “I can’t take that, Candace. That’s your beloved necklace! Keep it safe. My face is fine, so you don’t have to worry.” “Candace, what are you scheming now?” Shawn suppressed the discomfort in his heart as his eyebrows knitted together in displeasure. “When I told you to give the necklace to Yelena in the past, you threw a tantrum and refused to hand it over. Why are you willingly parting with it today?” “I’m not scheming anything. I just don’t want it anymore.” Candace’s face was a mask of indifference as she carried Jamie in her arms and left. However, she was stopped in her tracks by Shawn. “Don’t think I’ll agree to go back home with you just because you’re doing this push and pull with me. You must have gone crazy from craving a man’s company. You’re being delusional!” Candace pressed the silver necklace into Shawn’s hand. She didn’t spare him another glance before she took her leave. Three days later, she would disappear from his world. Why would she be reluctant to part with the silver necklace he once gave to her? Why would she care whether he wanted to return home or not?
Emptiness is all that remains
Status: Ongoing
