Wanted 2

Chapter 2 

Getting divorced was way easier than I thought. Brandon and the whole Sawyer family acted like they’d just been waiting for me to make this move. 

I was an orphan. 

Because of the bond my parents had with Brandon’s folks when they were young, I ended up living with his family after my parents passed. 

Our families had even arranged for Brandon and me to marry once we grew up. 

But after my parents passed away, I knew deep down that arrangement was never going to come true. 

Still, I just couldn’t help liking Brandon. He was bright, passionate, and bursting with life. 

Completely different from me, who was insecure and sensitive. 

Even though I liked him, I didn’t need to make him mine. 

He was like a distant sun, and just a little of his light was enough to warm me. 

I never dreamt that one day I’d have him. 

always knew the one he truly loved was Tanya. 

But on the night I had graduated from university and was finally moving out of the Sawyers’ home, something unexpected happened. 

Tanya had gone overseas after her graduation. When Brandon found out, he got completely wasted and was out cold on the couch. 

Worried he’d catch a chill, I covered him with a blanket. 

Brandon suddenly opened his eyes. He grabbed my hand and pinned me down on the couch. 

I couldn’t really remember what happened after that, except him calling out Tanya’s name. 

I got pregnant from that night-something I never saw coming. 

His parents basically forced him to marry me. 

Though Brandon and I ended up together, I always knew none of us were truly happy about it. 

Everyone was just going through the motions; no one really wanted this marriage. 

Brandon’s parents thought I wasn’t good enough for him, that Brandon deserved so much better. 

And as for Brandon, his heart was always with his first love, Tanya. He never loved me. 

Chapter 2 

I had wanted to abort the baby, but as the baby grew, it became harder and harder to part with it. 

My motherly instinct just wouldn’t let me abort the baby. 

Looking back now, I realized I had it all wrong. 

Keegan never wanted to be my child. His heart was with Tanya, just like his father’s. 

After we finished the divorce paperwork and walked out of the city hall, Brandon turned to me. 

“Do you want to go see Keegan at the hospital?” he asked. 

Si vouche 

The store-bought cake that Keegan had at his birthday party with Tanya had set off his severe allergy. 

He was still in the hospital. 

I shook my head. “No, I’m not going.” 

With Tanya by his side now, Keegan probably didn’t want me around too. 

Brandon looked at me, like he wanted to talk to me. 

But I was done listening. I got into the car I’d booked ahead of time and headed for the airport. 

Even after the car drove a long way out, I could still see Brandon standing in place in the rearview mirror. 

I swallowed the blood that rose in my 

throat. 

I’d watched Brandon leave many times. Now, I was the one leaving. 

I said goodbye to him silently, knowing we’d probably never meet again. 

As I was about to board the plane, Brandon called me again. 

How ironic that he called me more now than he ever did when we were still married. 

“You didn’t go home? What about your stuff? It’s all still at the house,” he said. 

I looked at the boarding gate and said calmly, “They’re not important. Just throw them all away.” 

Thinking about the medical report in my bag, I said my final words. “Brandon, don’t worry, I will never bother you again.” 

***** 

I flew out to a seaside town. 

It was the spot my parents always brought me to for vacations, back when they were still around. 

I checked into a hospice here. They offered palliative care, so I wouldn’t have to suffer too much at the end. 

I planned to spend whatever time I had left in this place. 

My hospice room had big windows that looked right out over the ocean. 

In the mornings, sunlight would pour in, making everything feel warm and incredibly comfortable. 

My favorite thing was snuggling up with Zoe Warren, the girl in the next room, and watching Peppa Pig together after getting my IV drip. 

“Viola, can we watch just one more episode?” Zoe pleaded. 

I gave her a gentle pat on the head. “You were so brave with your shot today. Why don’t we watch two more episodes as a reward?” 

“Yay! You’re the best, Viola. I love you,” she cheered. 

I didn’t spoil Zoe like this when we first met. 

I still remembered how she first popped her head into my room when I was just sitting there, bored out of my mind, messing around on my tablet. 

“Ma’am, can I play with your tablet too? I want to watch Peppa Pig,” she said. 

Zoe’s smile was so bright and sweet that I couldn’t help but pat my bed and invite her to sit. 

Zoe really loved watching Peppa Pig, but too much screen time wasn’t good for the eyes. So after two episodes, I wouldn’t let her watch anymore. 

“Zoe, let’s take a break for today, okay? If you keep watching, you’ll end up needing glasses when you’re older,” I told her. 

She just shrugged it off, waving her hand like she couldn’t care less. “Viola, can I please watch just one more episode? I’m not scared of glasses. I’m not going to grow up anyway.” 

Suddenly, my eyes stung with tears. Everything suddenly made sense. 

No wonder Zoe was so thin, and her hands were covered in needle marks. 

No wonder she wasn’t in a proper hospital getting treatment but was in this hospice instead. 

Later, I learned even more about her. 

She was just like me-her family had given up on her too. 

Zoe’s mom died giving birth to her. Then Zoe fell ill. 

At first, her dad stayed by her side, doing everything he could to help her 

get 

better. 

But after he married again and had a baby boy, he started to neglect her. 

When the doctors said there was nothing more they could do for Zoe, her dad got scared his son might get 

Chapter 2 

the disease from her. 

So he sent her here, just like me, to spend her remaining days. 

From that day on, I cared for Zoe without even realizing it. 

We’d have meals together, watch television together, and I’d help her with her bath. 

I’d make sure she smelled nice after, and do her hair up in cute little braids. 

55 vouchera 

“Mummy.” Zoe tilted her thin face up at me. “I’ve never met my mom before, but if she was alive, I think she’d be just like you. Viola, is it okay if I call you ‘Mummy’?” 

I reached out and hugged her tight. 

It felt like I was holding the lost little girl I used to be. 

“Of course you can, Zoe baby,” I whispered. 

From then on, I had a daughter. 

Zoe’d call me “Mummy” in the sweetest voice. 

She’d curl up in my embrace, her soft body fitting perfectly in my arms. 

We’d cuddle up together, our heads pressed close, watching Peppa Pig. 

With her around, even the IV drips didn’t hurt as much. 

Some days, I barely even remembered Brandon and Keegan existed. 

Just when I thought things would continue like this, Brandon called me out of the blue. 

“Where are you?” he asked. 

I didn’t answer him. Instead, I asked, “What do 

you want?” 

We weren’t close enough for him to be checking up on me anymore. 

“Keegan misses you,” he said. 

I felt doubtful about that. 

“You’ve been gone for so long. When are you coming to see him?” Brandon asked. 

Before I could even figure out how to respond, I heard Keegan yelling in the background, “I don’t want to see her. 

“She didn’t even come to visit me when I was in the hospital. She’s not even as good as Tanya. I hate her. I don’t want her to come back.” 

Honestly, I never thought Keegan would shoot Brandon down like that. 

Awkward silence filled the call. 

Perhaps after being let down so many times, my heart had gone numb and I stopped hurting. 

I gave a short, dry laugh. “Guess he really doesn’t want to see me. Don’t bother calling again, Brandon.”