Shattered Vows, Unveiled Truths

hear the faint murmur of a television in the background. My o

ce serious. "That's not an easy job

ng on me and a son who sees me as a nuisance. My family, as I knew it, is ov

er. Let me make some calls. I'll get back to you. B

hout a trace of hes

's mother, had been living with us for the past two years. Her care had fallen entirely on my shoulders, another role I had silently assumed. I

over the years as guilt offerings. I took my old jeans, a few practical shirts, and the dusty box from the st

fore David and Ethan were awake. No such luck. As I was carrying a box of her medication ou

id demanded, his eyes nar

I said calmly. "I've handled all the arrangem

d. "Without consulting me?

f her, day in and day out, while you fly a

face a mask of anger. "First you ruin our celebration, now you'r

, and felt a profound sense of exhaustion. There was no point in argu

an. I'm ensuring she gets the

ve. "Is this about money? Are you trying to punish me? Here." He thrust his c

d at him. "It was never about the mo

ir eyes on me. I didn't look back. I drove away from the house, f

Olivia Hayes popped up on my feed. It was a picture of her, David, and Ethan at a popular brunch spot.

ing a menu, looking comfortable and happy. They looked like a family.

Ethan was busy with a school project. I had spent the day alone. I bought

in was still there, a dull ache in my chest, but it was dista

s. Finally, with a deep breath, I blocked Ethan'

rang. It

A tough one. The Middle East. It's da

looking out the hotel wi

s in two days. Wel

al smile. I was no longer just a wife or a