Chapter 1
After Ava Butler left my daughter and me for Leo Spencer's dog for the seventh time, we just learned to keep quiet.
When Ava didn't come home at night, I didn't ask where she was.
When she took apart Lacey Butler's favorite model airplane to build a doghouse, Lacey didn't even shed a tear or make a fuss.
It wasn't until Lacey broke her arm and ended up in the ER that Ava finally rushed over, looking like she'd just run a marathon.
"Josh, why didn't you tell me? I'm Lacey's mom too! How is she?" Ava shouted.
I replied calmly, "It's not a big deal, just a broken arm. They've already fixed it.
"I know you've got a lot going on. Lacey gets it."
Ava froze for a second.
"Lacey broke her arm, and you're telling me it's nothing? What kind of dad are you?" she snapped.
She reached out to grab me, but the whispers around us made her freeze in place.
"Mrs. Butler and Mr. Spencer really make a perfect pair. If he hadn't gone overseas back then, a nobody like Josh would never have stood a chance," someone whispered.
"Exactly, he's just not good enough. He can't even take care of his own kid," another person added.
Ava couldn't help but frown.
"There's nothing between Leo and me. I swear, I only see him as a little brother!" she insisted.
I nodded.
"Yeah, I believe you. Lacey was just scared by Snowball," I said.
"I know that dog is Mr. Spencer's prize-winning show dog, and he really cares about it. That's why I didn't tell you. I didn't want to put you guys in a tough spot," I added.
Ava looked a little guilty.
She said, "Leo was abandoned by his family when he was a kid, and he struggles with depression. Other than me, that dog is the only one who stuck by him.
"That dog means everything to him, so please don't hold it against him. I'll get Lacey the best doctor I can find. She'll be fine."
I nodded.
"Sure. Thanks, Mrs. Butler," I said, keeping my tone distant.
She blinked in confusion.
"What did you just call me?" she asked.
I explained, "Last time I called you 'wife,' Mr. Spencer had a depressive episode. I was worried about his health, so I changed how I address you.
"Don't worry, I'll have Lacey call you 'Mrs. Butler' from now on, too."
She got anxious.
Ava snapped, "If you're not comfortable, just say it. Stop pretending and dragging Lacey into this.
"I only see him as a little brother. I don't have those messed-up ideas like you do!"
I kept my cool.
"Alright, I get it," I said.
I wasn't going to stir things up anymore.
I'd already booked tickets for me and Lacey to Horamndol. In three days, we'd be done with each other for good.
*****
The ER doors swung open again, and the nurse wheeled Lacey out.
When Lacey saw Ava, her eyes welled up with tears. She started to say "Mom," but caught my eye and quickly looked down.
"Mrs. Butler," she said softly.
Ava's heart ached for her. She crouched down and took Lacey's hand.
She said softly, "Lacey, I'm your mom, and I always will be.
"Don't pay attention to your dad. He's just being dramatic and petty."
Lacey pulled her hand back and hid behind me.
She said softly, "Don't blame Dad. We just don't want Leo to be sad."
Lacey whispered, "If Leo gets upset, then Mom, I mean, Mrs. Butler will be sad too."
Ava's mind went completely blank.
Seeing the way Lacey avoided her gaze, Ava suddenly wondered if maybe she'd messed up.
Just then, her phone suddenly rang.
Ava frowned, but she answered anyway.
"I'm really busy right now. Let's talk tomorrow, okay?" she said.
On the other end, a voice came through, choked with tears.
"Ava, Snowball threw up again.
"Can you come check on him, please?"
Ava glanced at me, then at Lacey's right arm in a cast.
"Your dog scared my daughter so badly she broke her arm. I can't deal with this right now," she said, her voice cold.
Leo practically sobbed into the phone, his voice shaky and desperate.
"Then I might as well just die. It's all my fault!" Leo wailed.
Ava felt her resolve melting again.
"Come on, don't be dramatic," she said gently.
Covering the phone, Ava glanced at us.
"Hang tight, I'll be right back," she said.
Turning to Lacey, she added, "Mom will bring you a doll and some strawberry cake, alright?"
Lacey didn't say a word.
Lacey loved Legos the most, and besides, she couldn't eat anything with cream.
I squeezed Lacey's hand.
"Alright, just be careful," I said.
She turned and walked away.
I crouched down in front of Lacey, and finally, the tears I'd been holding back started to fall.
"I'm sorry, Lacey. I failed to protect you," I said, my voice trembling.
Lacey reached out with her uninjured left hand and gently wiped my tears away.
"It's okay, Dad. We're leaving soon," she said softly.
We were leaving soon.
Finally, we could get away from all this.
That night, I stayed by Lacey's side, but Ava didn't come back even by the early hours of the morning.
Leo posted something on his social media.
It read: [With you here, I'm not afraid of anything. Thank you, my guardian angel.]
The photo showed Ava's profile, her brows knit together as she gave the dog a shot, focused and gentle at the same time.
I hit like, and just then, my phone lit up with a notification.
[Only seven days left until the divorce is final.]