"Remember, you were the one who pleaded with me—that's the only reason I agreed to have her."

Jane and I ended up married because of Emily.

Five years back, after Mike left her to go abroad, a night of drinking led to a mistake.

Jane dismissed it as a one-night stand, and told me not to make a big deal of it, so I pocketed the engagement ring I had been carrying.

Her pregnancy was unexpected, and though Jane wanted to abort, the doctor warned her frail health made abortion risky and might prevent future pregnancies.

I begged her on my knees, and only then did she agree to keep our child.

I had hoped that Emily, being her flesh and blood, would mean something to her.

Clearly, she was colder than I ever imagined.

I had no more words for her, just one cold farewell.

"This place is mine, just leave."

I threw the door wide open, my face set in a grim resolve.

Jane stared back, clearly stunned.

For once, I didn't blow up about Winston or dissolve into desperate pleas for her forgiveness mid-fight.

That's been our pattern for the past five years, every damn time.