Chapter 6 The Wedding Bracelet Is a Free Gift Included with Cassie’s Present

Hahaha! Turns out she was nothing but a complete joke!

"Wendy, what's wrong? You look terrible," Vivian said with concern, getting no response from Wendy.

"Oh, it's nothing, Mom. I just remembered I have something urgent to take care of. I need to head home now. We can talk later."

She wobbled to her feet and made her way from the living room to the front door. Her steps were quick but unsteady.

Vivian watched her from behind, almost calling out to her.

The moment Wendy stepped outside, tears were already streaming down her face.

Marcus, you're a complete bastard!

She took a cab home. Marcus wasn't back yet. That was fine. She took a deep breath — she'd seen it coming anyway.

She sat there for nearly the whole afternoon, and finally couldn't help calling him. Then she heard his ringtone going off right outside in the yard.

Moments later, Marcus stormed in and confronted Wendy. "Didn't I tell you to wait for me at Grandpa's? Why did you rush off like that? Mom was there — you couldn't even keep her company? What kind of daughter-in-law are you..."

The next second, a strawberry bear throw pillow smacked him right in the face, carrying all of Wendy's fury with it.

Wendy wasn't very strong, and it didn't really hurt Marcus. But his pride? That was absolutely challenged.

"Wendy, what the hell is wrong with you?!"

This time, what flew at him was the bracelet Wendy had worn for three years.

Pure gold. Heavy. It hit Marcus across the face, scraped along his straight nose bridge, and left a red mark.

Marcus's anger shot through the roof. The look he gave Wendy could have torn her apart.

Wendy didn't flinch. "I should be the one asking questions! Is this bracelet the free gift that came with the necklace you gave Cassie?"

Marcus glanced at Wendy's reddened eyes, then at the gold bracelet on the floor. His anger deflated like a punctured balloon, and a flicker of discomfort crossed his face.

"You're the one who insisted on setting the wedding date on Cassie's birthday. I didn't have a gift to give her, so I..."

"No gift, so you gave her the freebie? What do you take me for — a beggar?" Wendy felt dizzy with rage. She grabbed the edge of the sofa to steady herself and pointed at Marcus. "And let me be clear — I didn't pick that wedding date! Since when do I have that kind of say? That was Grandpa's decision!"

A strange silence filled the air for a moment.

Wendy saw an expression on Marcus's face she'd never seen before — a little embarrassed, a little guilty, and a little annoyed with himself.

"Fine. I was wrong about this one."

"I'll make it up to you next time. Don't make such a big deal out of it," Marcus said. "Deal?"

"Don't bother." Who wants a gift that comes this late?

Wendy said coldly, "Just sign the divorce papers. Once we get the divorce certificate, you'll have done your part."

"That eager to get back to your old flame?" Marcus yanked her toward him with no restraint. Wendy felt a sharp pain in her wrist. She pushed back on purpose. "Yeah, what did you think? Let go of me! We're getting divorced — can you keep your distance?"

Wendy struggled hard. Being in Marcus's arms made her skin crawl, and the fury in his eyes scared her.

Marcus was furious too. He flung his arm out, and Wendy flew back. Her knees hit the carpet and her lower stomach slammed into the corner of the table. She clenched her teeth against the pain, cold sweat breaking out at her temples.

Wendy clutched her stomach and knelt on the floor, unable to straighten up for a long moment, her face completely drained of color.

"Are you okay?" Marcus glanced at his own hand, then slowly curled it into a fist. Had he used too much force?

Wendy gritted her teeth through the waves of pain. "I'm fine."

Marcus grew suspicious. "Then why are you holding your stomach?"

"I said I'm fine. Would you stop?" Wendy snapped.

"Let me see." Marcus grabbed her resisting hands without asking and lifted her jacket. Before he could see anything, Wendy kicked him in the leg and sent him stumbling back.

"Wendy!" Marcus said, frustrated. "We're married. Was that really necessary?"

"I can't stand you near me. You make me sick just looking at you." Wendy struggled to her feet. "If you stay away from me, we'll both be fine. So from now on — keep your distance."

Marcus frowned. "Do you think I was going to do something to you?"

Wendy nodded. "Well, it wouldn't be the first time, would it."

Marcus took a deep breath. "Stop trying to provoke me and change the subject."

Something was clearly off about her right now. She didn't look like she was faking it at all.

"Is it your back or your stomach?"

Wendy panicked. Her hands were shaking. She turned away. "I just need a minute. I'll be fine. Go do whatever you need to do."

She had no energy to push for the divorce right now. The only thing that mattered was getting Marcus to drop his suspicion.

"I'm taking you to the hospital," Marcus said firmly.

Wendy's palms were sweating.

Just then, Marcus's phone rang.

Wendy caught a glimpse of Cassie's name on the screen, and the tension in her chest eased just a little. Whatever was going on with Cassie, one phone call would definitely pull Marcus away.

"Marcus, I'm bleeding a lot. Can you come pick me up?" Cassie's voice was shaky and tearful.

Marcus asked, "Stay calm. Is something wrong with the baby?"

Cassie replied, "I don't know. My stomach hurts so much. Do you think he might..."

"Don't think like that," Marcus said. "I'll be right there..."

Then he caught sight of Wendy, and something in his chest tightened unexpectedly, like a needle had pricked him.

He paused, then changed his mind. "I'll have my assistant Jordan go instead. She can get there faster from the office."

He hung up and called Jordan, telling her to take Cassie to the hospital.

Wendy stood frozen. Between her and Cassie, Marcus had chosen her?

Marcus scooped her up in his arms. She instinctively held onto his neck, and her nose stung.

But before she could feel anything more, Cassie called again.

The first time, Marcus declined.

The second call came through.

Then a third. A fourth...

Wendy could feel Marcus hesitating.

"I need to take this," Marcus said, and set Wendy down.

Wendy closed her eyes. She knew it.

He answered. Cassie said, "Marcus, I'm so scared. I'm terrified something's happened to the baby. Can you come, even for a little while? I want you here. I promise I won't take up too much of your time..."

"Cassie, I really can't leave right now."

"I know, but the pain is so bad. I can barely move..." Cassie kept calling his name, over and over.

Wendy leaned against the wall. The baby inside her seemed to sense her distress. A dull, heavy ache pulled at her lower stomach, and she could barely stay on her feet.

Wendy let out a hollow laugh. "Marcus, who are you taking to the hospital — me or Cassie? Pick one."