A Father's Vengeance

a cozy fireplace. This was something else, something bitter and heavy. My son, Caleb, only three years old, co

, my voice raw. "Look a

ar. She wouldn't look at me. Her gaze was fixed on Ryan, her br

devoid of the warmth I once loved. "The guru said Caleb's ener

"asthma attack" was Molly being dramatic on Caleb's bi

r. His little body was trembling. "He has a severe peanut allergy

oman who once looked at me like I was her entir

ered toward Caleb, who was now wheezing, his small chest heaving with effor

in her ear, his expression a mask of practiced grief. "Think of my poor Mo

again, becoming a perfect, cold mask. The love, the hes

he threw another massive bundle of sage and cedar onto the glowing embers.

ced, not to me, but to the room. "Ryan and Mo

to close the

reamed, scrambling toward the door,

e heavy bolt slid into pl

ly understood. I wasn't her husband. Caleb wasn't her son. We were just obstacles. My heart felt as dead