Side Chick Era... Over

Hearing Sharon bring up the topic on her own, Richard thought it was the perfect opportunity to bridge the distance between father and daughter.

He softened his tone and asked, “Sharon, will you tell me what happened?”

Sharon’s voice was calm. “He and his first love, Kelly, were torn apart years ago by his mother. Kelly later developed depression overseas. When she returned, she told him she didn’t have long to live. When Carter found out, he was overwhelmed with guilt. He didn’t want her to die with regrets, so he did everything he could to make it up to her.

“How he chose to make amends is his business. But he had no right to sacrifice me in the process.

“He owed Kelly, but I didn’t.

“To me, Kelly was the woman who stole my husband’s attention–who turned him against me every time we argued. Whenever it came to her, his choice was always clear. I couldn’t stand her.

“So after she reappeared, it only took half a year for our marriage to end.”

She smiled faintly at Richard. “Dad, do you think I was wrong?”

A flicker of uncertainty passed through his eyes. “Between husband and wife, there must be mutual understanding,” he said slowly.

it didn’t reach her eyes. “You’re right, Dad, understanding

when he found her the best doctors

But he never once tried to understand

compromise and silence, what’s the point of staying married? Living freely on my own–doesn’t that sound

head, sighing deeply. “Your mother was stubborn enough on her own, but she even passed that thinking on to

Sharon’s expression froze. Then she said

his seat. “Sharon, I have work to attend to. I’ll leave

that, he turned

retreating figure with

had been exposed, Carter at least had the decency to reflect on his mistakes. Yet her mother had been

Kelly’s pregnancy vanished almost overnight, wiped clean from every

1/2

he

what hadn’t.

dared to cross the line again, he

see it in his eyes. Carter meant