Love Fades at Dusk

"The kid will call you Mom, too," Daniel went on. "Vivian wants no title. Just take care of her, and you'll still be the hostess of the house."

I stared at Vivian's flat belly, a glaring testament to Daniel's betrayal. Yet he expected me to play nanny.

Vivian puffed out her belly, almost gloating. "Don't be jealous, Jesse. A baby in the house brings luck. Maybe when they're born, you'll have one, too."

I met Daniel's gaze, memories flooding back. Countless times, I'd broached the idea of having kids, only to be met with his dismissal. "Kids would disrupt our lives. It's not the right time yet."

I'd let go of that dream, even lying to my dying mother to cover for him, claiming I didn't want children.

I had been such a fool.

It wasn't that he hated kids. He just didn't want them with me.

The truth of love, or its absence, was painfully evident.

...

Daniel led Vivian to the master bedroom, where she sprawled on my bed and under my quilt.

Her cloying rose perfume saturated the air, making my stomach churn.

Daniel frowned. "Feeling sick? Go rest."

Vivian piped up, "I'm starving. I want some lobster bisque."

Daniel reached for his phone to order, but Vivian added, smirking at me, "I want Jesse to make it."

Her eyes glinted with provocation as she pleaded, "Please, Jesse. The baby and I are craving it."

"No," I refused without batting an eyelid.

She froze, and Daniel's scowl deepened. "It's just soup. Don't make a big deal out of it."

I fired back, "Why should I cook for your mistress and illegitimate child?"

Vivian's tears soaked the quilt. "How could you say that? The baby is not a mistake, just a little angel who arrived by surprise. I'm sorry for the trouble. I'll just leave."

She made a show of standing, but Daniel gently pushed her down. "Jesse, apologize."

I held his gaze, refusing to let my tears fall.

Vivian tried to shuffle off again, but Daniel held her arm, fixing me with a cold glare. "Have I spoiled you too much? You're acting lawless."

His hand swung, and a searing slap cracked across my face. Blood trickled from my lip, my cheek burning.

I stared at him, disbelief crashing over me.

Vivian cooed, "Daniel, don't fight over me. If Jesse won't cook, it's fine. I'm not that hungry."

Daniel wasn't having it. "I say cook, and you do it. Vivian, take a rest."

He dragged me to the kitchen, ignoring my stumbles. My leg hit the wall, bruising instantly.

Uncaring, he shoved me inside and locked the door. "Finish the soup, then you're out. I've got all day to wait."

Through the door, I heard Vivian giggle as she perched on Daniel's lap and ate my specially ordered blueberries.

Those were his favorites, now a bitter jest.

Wiping my tears, I pushed through the pain and prepared the bisque. In a daze, I accidentally knocked over a pot of boiling water and scalded my leg.

Daniel started toward me, but Vivian grabbed him. "I know she doesn't want to cook for me, but hurting herself like that is not worth it."