The Day I Disappeared

The day I went to collect my visa, my mom called and asked me to come home.

I figured since this chapter of my life was about to end, seeing my biological mother one last time wouldn't hurt. Perhaps it could count as repaying her for all those years she raised me.

When I arrived, she greeted me warmly, asking how I had been. I responded to everything patiently.

"These past years must've been hard on you," she said, feigning sympathy as she gently patted my hair.

"We couldn't let anyone know you were actually a Clayton. You know how fragile Winifred is. Her depression is serious. I've always been so afraid something would happen to her…"

Of course. Because her depression was so "serious", I even had to give up my husband to her.

My mom knew everything that had gone on between Edgar and Winifred, yet there she was, still pretending. Even the night Winifred staged that suicide scare and begged Edgar to come over, it was my mom who called him and asked him to go.

As she spoke, noise suddenly erupted at the door. "Mom, I'm home!"

My mom's expression changed immediately.

I turned around and saw Winifred standing at the door beside Edgar, who wore a long trench coat.

The moment Edgar saw me, he froze. He instantly pulled away from Winifred, as if that could undo anything.

My mom's voice rose sharply. "Didn't I tell you not to come home today?"

Winifred shrugged with a mischievous smile. "I just missed you."

Her gaze flicked over to me, a slow smile curling on her lips. "Oh, you're here too, Wanda. Edgar and I ran into each other on the way here, so we came back together."

I couldn't help but laugh, staring straight at Edgar. "Ran into each other? Edgar, what reason could you possibly have for coming to my family's house?"

I had always liked asking questions I already knew the answers to, savoring the sting of tearing open old wounds. It was the only way I could keep myself awake—keep myself from going numb.

Edgar stumbled over his words. "I just came to grab something from Joanna. That's all."

My mother jumped in quickly. "Yes, yes, Edgar—I'll get it for you now."

She signaled to the maid, who soon brought down a file folder.

"Here it is. Take it."

Edgar nodded and took it. Then, he turned to me and held my hand. "Wanda, let's go home."

But Winifred chimed in with a syrupy voice, "You two are already here. Why not stay for dinner?"

Edgar's jaw clenched, and his expression darkened. He was about to say no when I stopped him and said calmly, "Sure. Let's have dinner. All of us."

One last meal before the end.

Edgar cleared his throat. "Excuse me. I need to use the bathroom."

He shot Winifred a sharp look, clearly signaling her to follow.

I sat quietly, watching the show unfold. The moment both of them stepped out, I followed them. They headed into the Clayton residence's backyard.

"You did this on purpose, didn't you?" Edgar growled. His face was red with rage as he grabbed Winifred's wrist. "You brought me here because you knew Wanda would be home."

Winifred's eyes welled up with tears, her voice trembling with hurt. "How would I have known Wanda would be here? Didn't you see me trying to defend you in front of her?"

"Defend me? Don't think I can't see right through you, Winifred. Let's end this. I can't risk what will happen if Wanda finds out." Edgar yanked his hand free from hers, his voice laced with disgust.

That was when panic truly hit Winifred. She clung to him tightly, refusing to let go. Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed dramatically, "No! Edgar, I was wrong. I won't do it again, I swear.

"I'll stay in my place, and I'll make sure Wanda never finds out about us. Please don't leave me."

But Edgar's voice had already turned cold. "We're done. You went too far today. I'm taking Wanda home right now, and from now on, don't contact me again."

Edgar shoved her away and turned to leave, but Winifred's voice came sharp and biting behind him, "Fine. Leave me if you want. But are you really just going to abandon your own child?"

"Crispin won't recognize you as his godmother anymore. I'll be taking him with me."

"I'm not talking about Crispin," Winifred said with a twisted smile. She gently placed a hand over her stomach. Her voice softened into something almost tender. "I'm talking about the one inside me. Your child."

Edgar's lips were trembling now.

I stood frozen, nausea climbing up my throat, but nothing would come out.

"When did this happen?" Edgar's lips moved slightly, his voice barely audible. Then, as if something suddenly clicked in his mind, he looked up sharply. "Was it that night?"

I should have seen it coming. Once a man's heart had changed, why would his body remain faithful?

I couldn't take another second. I turned and fled, not waiting to hear the rest. Back inside, my heart was pounding so loudly that it echoed in my ears.

My mom caught sight of my expression and rushed over, alarmed. "Wanda? Are you alright? Did you see something?"

I looked into her face—still so eager to protect Winifred—and simply shook my head.

Moments later, Edgar and Winifred returned, one after the other.

Winifred caught my eye and flashed a coy smile, mouthing, "You saw everything, didn't you?"

So, she had known I was there all along.

I set my fork down and picked up my coat from the couch. "I'm heading home."

Edgar stood up immediately. "Wanda's not feeling well, Mom. We'll be leaving first."

He followed silently behind me as we left the house. When he tried to reach for my hand, I pulled away.

Just then, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen, and something flickered in his eyes. Still, he answered. "Yeah… I got it."

When he hung up, he looked at me with a conflicted expression. "Darling, something urgent came up at the office. I can't drive you back. You head home first."

Without waiting for a response, he turned and rushed off.

Right then, my phone lit up.

It was a message from Winifred.

It was a photo—her wrist slashed open, with blood everywhere. "Wanda, what do you think? If Edgar finds out I'm trying to kill myself while carrying his baby… do you think he'll still choose you?"