ears Caleb and I had been together. I thought it was a sign of acceptance
th a strange tension. And then I saw her. Maria Chavez, Caleb' s high sc
rs old, was with her. He sa
ad
eb just ruffled his hair, a casual smile
is is Maria and her son, Leo. She' s having a tou
stood there, holding the gift, feel
who had never called me anything but Madisyn, cooed over Leo, cal
. At one point, he picked up a piece of turkey with his fork and f
ly, telling Caleb how hard her life was as a single mother. Leo, seeing
finger at me. "You
out and slapped my cheek. It didn't hurt
eb's mother spoke, her voice sharp. "Ma
n at Caleb, waiting
did
said, his voice laced with annoyance.
hitectural drafting set, the kind for professionals, not children. It was the exact set
using my money to buy a gif
ly constructed fantasy of our life to
didn't say a word. I just turned and walked out of the din
ay, grabbing my arm. "Where are
aleb." My voice
e. You were cruel. Maria is a victim, and Le
I had loved and supported for sev
N
d of his hand hitting my face echoed i
heaving. "You're toxic, Mad
linch. I just felt a profound
" I said, my
door, leaving him standing there
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