Chapter 10 Matthew spent three solid days at the amusement park with Monica and her son . [ ] The screams from the roller coaster , the looping music of the carousel , the electronic cacophony of the arcade ... it all made his temples throb . " Daddy , come on ! " Joseph yanked on his wrist , pointing at a distant roller coaster . " I wanna go on that one ! And the limited - edition robot at the entrance ! You have to buy it for me ! " ]] Matthew's head was pounding . Monica had told him Joseph was traumatized after the kidnapping and needed him , which is why he'd cleared his schedule to spend time with them . ] But the boy was bouncing off the walls like a wild animal . He didn't look traumatized at all . [ ] " Joseph , we've been here for three days . It's time to go home . "] He pulled his aching hand free , his voice tired . Besides , he had something important to take care of when he got back Divorcing Monica . ] For the past two days , very time h closed his eyes , he saw Sophie's shattered expression as he left her hospital room , and a sharp , inexplicable pain shot through him . ] When Monica had her "accidental " pregnancy , he had agonized over it He'd only relented after she knelt at his feet , clutching his pants and sobbing that if she lost this baby , she'd never be able to have children. " I don't want anything from you , " she'd cried . " Just let me have this child , and I'll take him far away . You and Ms. Harris will never have to see us again ! " ] At the time , he and Sophie were struggling to conceive . In a moment of weakness , he'd agreed . But what happened after ? First , Monica begged him to register the child so he wouldn't be undocumented . Then she insisted Joseph needed a father's love . to thrive . She chipped away at his boundaries , step by step , until that ridiculous marriage certificate was in front of him Now Joseph was starting elementary school . It was time for this farce to end . [ ] He had to go back to Sophie and spend the rest of his life making it up to her . " Matthew , can we ride the carousel one last time ? " Monica asked , holding Joseph's hand , her voice sweet and pleading . " Joseph says he hasn't had enough yet . " ] " No more rides . We're going back . " Matthew said , his voice turning cold . " I have work to do . " [ ] Monica's smile faltered , a flicker of resentment in her eyes , but she obediently steered Joseph toward the exit . " Alright , then . We can come back another time . " || As soon as they were out of the park , Matthew started checking his phone repeatedly . The messages he'd sent to Sophie over the past two days had gone unanswered . When he tried again , a red exclamation point appeared on the screen . ] ] His heart sank Sophie loved him so much . She used to get teary - eyed if he was just ten minutes late . Why would she block him ? A sense of foreboding crawled up his spine . He slammed on the gas , accelerating . [ ] When they arrived at the villa , Monica and Joseph got out . She stood on her toes , leaning in for a goodbye kiss . " Matthew , tonight ... " " I have things to do , " Matthew said , turning his head to avoid her , his tone distant . " Take care of Joseph . " A flash of venom crossed Monica's eyes , quickly replaced by an understanding smile . ] " Of course v course . You go on . Joseph and I will be here waiting for you . " ] The moment Matthew's car disappeared around the corner , Monica's smile vanished . She lit a cigarette , the red ember glowing in the dusk , illuminating her twisted expression " Damn that Sophie Harris . She's probably scheming to get Matthew back . " She took a harsh drag , then pulled out her phone and dialed a number , her voice instantly turning syrupy sweet . " Honey , you can come over now . He's not staying tonight . "