Chapter 6

Richard and Wendy stared at the documents, then looked up at me in disbelief. "You and David got divorced?"

They had never been thrilled about David in the first place, but I was head over heels for him back then, so they kept their reservations to themselves. That was how they had always been.

As long as I believed in something, they backed me all the way.

After I explained everything, Richard slammed his hand on the table. "That son of a bitch. Sarah, you let him off way too easy!"

Wendy reached over and squeezed my arm. "Better to see someone's true colors sooner than later. What goes around comes around."

And she was right. It would come around for him very soon.

Wendy pulled me close, her voice soft. "Sarah, move back home. We have plenty of room. It's just a longer drive to Emily's school, that's all."

I nodded. "I'll go pack up our things this afternoon and bring everything back here."

"I'm going to transfer Emily too," I added. "There's a preschool right by the neighborhood. It'll be a lot easier."

Emily was enrolled in a private preschool that cost 60 thousand a year in tuition. That was no longer something I could afford on my own.

Wendy sighed, "I just feel bad for Emily."

I glanced over at Emily, who was glued to the TV watching cartoons, giggling nonstop without a care in the world. She was at that blissful age where nothing could touch her.

Thankfully, I had been the one raising her from the start. David could count on one hand the number of times he had actually taken care of her. She wouldn't be crying for her daddy.

I shook my head. "There's nothing to feel bad about. Plenty of kids go to public school and turn out just fine. I went to public school my whole life, didn't I?"

Richard stood up. "Sarah's right. I actually know the director over at that preschool. Let me reach out and find out what paperwork we need."

When I went back to pack my things, Natasha looked a little guilty. She asked, "Sarah, what are you packing for?"

I didn't even look up. "I'm making room for someone else, aren't I?"

Natasha stood nearby, wringing her rough, weathered hands as she watched me. She was afraid I might take something valuable.

When she saw that I had only packed clothes for Emily and me, she finally relaxed and smiled.

She said, "Sarah, you don't actually have to leave. You and David are just going through a formality. You can still live here."

I glanced at her. Live here? To take care of David after his stroke, or to wait on his mistress and her newborn?

I said, "Natasha, no, Mrs. Harris. The divorce papers are signed and sealed. How is any of this fake? Do you really think I'm a fool?"

Her eyes went wide. "You're calling me Mrs. Harris now?"

I scoffed, "What else would I call you?"

Natasha asked, "What about Emily?"

"Emily?" I grabbed the handle of my suitcase. "Emily is coming with me, obviously. Isn't that what you all wanted? You have a grandson now, so why would you even care about your granddaughter?"

I dragged the heavy suitcase out the door and never looked back.

Behind me, Natasha stomped her feet in frustration.

When David came home that evening, Natasha told him everything I had done.

He let out a dry laugh and said, "Good. Now Jessica and I won't have to rent a place anymore. I'll bring her home today."