Chapter 2

My voice was so calm it surprised even me. "So you're throwing a tantrum because I'm back, and Kristen can't spend time with you anymore?"

Andrew didn't say a word, but I could tell that was exactly what he meant.

I was angry and hurt, but the kids were innocent. They only acted this way if someone taught them.

I took a deep breath, keeping my voice calm and serious. "Andrew, do you realize that what you said really hurts my feelings?

"I don't stop you from having ice cream because I don't want you to have it, but because you can't eat it..."

But before I could finish, Andrew cut me off. "You're pretending again. Dad and Kristen are right. You act all pitiful, but you're actually worse than anyone. I don't like you, Mom."

Those words came out of Andrew's mouth with a viciousness that didn't belong to a kid his age.

But the look in his eyes was real. He really did hate me.

All the things I wanted to say got stuck in my throat. Not because I didn't want to explain, but because it suddenly hit me. He was already six, old enough to understand right from wrong.

He wasn't a bad kid at heart, but he still chose to hurt me. In his mind, hurting me was the right thing to do.

So there was really nothing left to say.

I looked at him and asked, "Do you really want Kristen to be your mom?"

He nodded without a second thought. "Yes."

I nodded slowly. "Okay, I understand. Go back to your room. I'll grant your wish."

He probably didn't expect me to agree so easily. He hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.

I cut him off. "Hurry up and go, or I might change my mind."

He seemed genuinely afraid I'd take it back, and bolted out of the room.

Noah didn't get home until 11 pm. I was sitting in the living room, the two photos lay out in front of me.

He pushed the door open, his suit jacket draped over his arm and his tie half undone. The moment he saw me, he froze.

"Shirley?" His eyes landed on the photos, and his face went pale. "You... you have to let me explain..."

"Explain what?" I looked up at him, my voice eerily calm. "Are you going to explain how you took our son and another woman to the amusement park while I was away on a business trip? Or maybe explain how you hooked up with her in my bed?"

The first part was true, but the second was just me baiting him. After all, if he could bring her home, there was no way he would have done nothing.

He opened his mouth, but in the end, he just slumped his shoulders in defeat. "It's my fault. I fell for Kristen."

Noah came clean without even trying to hide it.

I almost wanted to laugh. We had been married for nine years. From a dingy basement to this mansion, from those sleepless nights when we were building our business, to the day our company finally went public.

We went through hell together, almost gave up so many times, but never on each other.

And now, for a girl in her early twenties, he destroyed everything we built, all for her.

"This has nothing to do with Kristen," Noah said, his voice growing weaker with every word. "I was the one who pursued her. She's just so innocent."

I snapped, "Innocent? You mean innocent enough to teach someone else's kid to call his mom a bad person? To coach Andrew into throwing tantrums to push me into a divorce? Innocent enough to sneak into my house, sleep in my bed, and sleep with my husband while I'm gone?"

I scoffed. "She's already making herself at home, and you call that innocent? Noah, do you really take me for a fool? But don't worry, I won't blame her alone for your cheating. You're just as much garbage as she is."

Noah wasn't thrilled about being called out, but he stayed calm. "I know you're all about appearances, so let's just have an amicable divorce."

I laughed. "Appearances? That's bullshit."

Just then, Andrew's door burst open. He ran over and clung to Noah's leg, pointing at me and shouting, "Dad, I don't want this bad mom. I want Kristen to be my mom!"

I looked at Andrew, bawling and throwing a fit, and my heart just froze. I nearly died bringing him into this world, treated him like he was everything to me.

And now, just because I wouldn't let him have ice cream, he called me a bad mom and wanted someone else instead. What a little traitor. Maybe I should just let him go.

Andrew's voice kept getting louder, so loud it made my ears ring.

I snapped, my tone icy. "It's late. Shut your mouth. Did your manners disappear with that ice cream you ate?"

It was the first time I'd ever raised my voice at Andrew. He jumped, went quiet right away, and hid behind Noah.

I kept going, my voice icy. "You really think I want a rotten kid like you? You're not lovable at all. I don't like you one bit."

Andrew suddenly burst into loud, uncontrollable sobs.

Noah scooped Andrew, who was sobbing uncontrollably, into his arms. "You..."