Chapter 4%
I stared at the divorce papers in Jason’s hand, my whole body trembling.
“Sign it,” he repeated, his tone void of emotion, as if the past years we spent together meant nothing.
I took the papers–then tore them apart. Jason’s eyes darkened slightly, but instead of anger, he smirked. With calculated ease, he pulled out an ATM card and tossed it onto the coffee table.
“There’s a million dollars on that,” he said. “Your severance pay.”
My breath hitched. Severance pay? Like I was just some employee who had outlived her usefulness?
Like I had been nothing more than a burden he finally got rid of
Fury boiled inside me. I slapped him. Hard.”
The sharp crack of my palm against his cheek echoed through the room.
Jason barely flinched. He slowly turned his head back, touching his cheek with mild amusement.
Feel better now?” he murmured.
I picked up the ATM card and flung it back at him. “Go to hell, Jason.”
His smirk deepened. “Already there, sweetheart.”
Then he leaned closer, his breath cold against my skin.
“You know,” he said, his voice smooth but taunting. “Noah has already chosen Lily as his new mother.“% My blood ran cold.
The kitchen door creaked open, and Lily stepped out, holding Noah’s tiny hand. They were both smiling.
My stomach twisted as I took in the sight before me. Noah–my baby–was cradling a giant robot toy in his arms, one I knew cost more than what I could ever afford. His eyes sparkled as he looked up at Lily, pure admiration shining in them!
*Thank you Mommy Lily!” he beamed.
Mommy Lily?
My throat tightened.
“Noah baby… Im…” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
He turned to me, but there was no excitement in his eyes when he saw me. Just mild curiosity X
“Mommy, why are you mad?” he asked innocently. “Mom Lily bought me this! She’s the best!”
Lily laughed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Oh, Noah, sweetie, I just want you to be happy.” Lily then look at me, “Emma, don’t look so hurt Noah’s just being honest. I’m the one who’s been taking care of him lately, after all ”
Noah nodded eagerly. “Mommy Lily is nice to me, Mommy. She plays with me, she makes Daddy happy. You should sign the papers so we can be a happy family ”
I felt the air leave my lungs. Then–before I could react–she turned to Jason. And kissed him. Right in front of me. A deep, slow kiss, as if they had all the time in the world.
Noah giggled. “Mommy Lily and Daddy love each other!
Something inside me snapped. But I couldn’t move. I just stood there. Frozen. Like a fool. Like an idiot. Watching my husband–my first love–kiss my sister while my son cheered them on.
This wasn’t real. This couldn’t be real. But it was.
It was all real.
Jason pulled away from Lily with a satisfied smirk. Then he turned to me, his eyes gleaming with cruel amusement.
“Now, be a good girl and sign the papers, Emma,” he said, his tone mocking and gave me another copy.
Noah, still holding his toy, turned to me with pleading eyes. “Yeah, Mommy. Sign it. Sign it now, please!“& Happy?
They already looked happy.
Like a perfect family. Double betrayal. A knife straight through my heart.
I stumbled backward, my vision swimming with unshed tears.!!
1-1 need to be alone, I choked out
Without waiting for a response, I turned and rushed to my room, slamming the door behind me. And then I broke. I collapsed onto the floor, my body wracked with silent, gut–wrenching sobs.
I had lost everything. My husband. My son. My family.
Why? Why wasn’t I enough?
Why was I the one suffering while they got to be happy?
I curled into myself, the pain in my head throbbing violently, mixing with the unbearable ache in my heart. I didn’t know how long I lay there, drowning in despair, before I fumbled for my phone
There was only one person left I could call. With shaking hands, I dialed. The line rang twice before a familiar, steady voice answered. Enuna
27 0794
A choked sob escaped me. “Ethan please help me.
There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end.
“Emma, what happened?” His voice was tight with concern.
“Jason Noah they- My throat tightened. “They don’t need me anymore. I have nothing left, Ethan. Nothing.“2 “Emma, listen to me.” Ethan said firmly. “You have me. And I’m not going to let you go through this alone.
Tears spilled down my face.
“Come to me,” he urged. “I’ll help you disappear. I’ll get you out of there.”
A pause. Then his voice softened.?
“And… there’s something else. I didn’t want to tell you u over the phone, but you need to know.”
I wiped my tears, trying to focus. “What is it?”
“Our hospital is running a clinical trial,” Ethan said. “A new experimental treatment for brain cancer. It’s risky, but it’s your best chance.” I froze.X
“You knew?” I whispered.
“I had a suspicion,” he admitted. “I saw your medical records, Emma. I know you’ve been trying to fight this alone.”
My chest ached.!
“Come to me,” Ethan pleaded. “Let me help you, Emma. Not just with the trial–but with everything. Let me take you away from all of this.“8
Iclutched the phone tightly, my heart pounding. This was it. My chance to leave. To escape this nightmare. To fight for myself. I took a deep breath, my decision made 3
Tm coming. Ethan,
12:34 PM
