I took a deep breath to calm the fury bubbling inside me. He knew it was New Year's Eve, a day meant for family, yet he spent it with Yolanda and her son here. Who exactly did he consider his family?
"Stefan, our daughter is burning up with fever. How can you say such things? Today is a day for family, but you need to figure out who you should be spending it with."
Stefan's response was laced with anger. "She's just pretending. She got into a fight with Charlie and I slapped her. Now she's faking her sickness. "
"Ysabell is spoiled because of you, Zelda. You've indulged her too much and if this continues, she'll turn out just like you. Besides, I'm just having a meal with Yolanda. You don't have to make such a big deal out of it."
"Shut up!" I couldn't help but interrupt Stefan's utterly baffling remarks. I knew my daughter better than anyone. Stefan knew the truth in his heart—whether it was me who was overreacting or him feeling guilty.
Since Yolanda and her son returned, Stefan had changed.
He used to be a great father to our daughter and a model husband. He was patient with both his child and his wife. I remember a time when Stefan was so furious because our daughter was bullied by a boy at school that he wanted to confront the school, only relenting after I stopped him.
Since Yolanda returned with his son, all his attention has been on them, ignoring me and our daughter. Now, he's even resorted to hitting my child over Yolanda's son. He couldn't tell right from wrong and went too far.
My voice trembled with anger. "Stefan, our daughter is not pretending. She's in the emergency room and her life is hanging by a thread."
Stefan didn't care at all. His response was icy. "Zelda, stop playing games. Or better yet, stop using our daughter's life as a game piece. "
"You're just trying to ruin Yolanda's birthday because you don't like her. Frankly, it would be better if Ysabell was dead. She's already been led astray by your upbringing."
"Stefan!" I couldn't help but roar, unable to hold back my rebuke. How could he say such vicious words?
On the other end of the line, I heard Yolanda's sweet voice calling, "Stefan, come quickly."
Then, a child's voice chimed in, "Dad, hurry. We're waiting for you."
Stefan gently agreed but, in the next moment, turned cold toward me. "I have things to do. I won't stick around for your little show."