Chapter 3

When Andrew learned I'd already checked myself out, a rare trace of guilt crossed his usual icy expression.

"Sorry I haven't been around these past few days. I've been busy helping a friend. She's new in town and doesn't know anyone else, so I'm the only one she can count on," he said.

Andrew rarely apologized first.

Back then, I would have brushed it off and said it was fine right away.

But this time, I quietly opened the car door and got in. "I see. Let's go home."

Andrew gave me a slightly surprised look.

He wondered if I was angry. But soon, he dismissed that idea.

After six years of marriage, I'd always been gentle and understanding. I'd never lost my temper with him, so how could I be angry now?

Maybe he was imagining things.

Once I got in the car, I kept my eyes closed.

But I could feel a pair of eyes on me, watching me intently.

I opened my eyes and met Max's gaze.

When I opened my eyes, Max asked carefully, "Mom, is your allergy gone now?"

"Yeah," I said.

Right then, the car stopped.

I got out, and after a couple steps, I heard Max mumble quietly behind me. "Such a shame Susan can't be my mom now..."

My footsteps stopped. A sharp, tearing pain ripped through my heart.

This was the boy I had carried in my belly for ten months and raised for five years.

He nearly cost me my life, but instead of feeling scared or guilty, he was upset he couldn't clear me out of the way for Susan.

Wasn't that ironic?

Swallowing the ache in my chest, I headed straight for my room.

Max, you were finally going to get what you wanted.

That night, I went to bed early.

The spot beside me was cold and empty.

Andrew often worked late in his study, and we hardly ever talked before bed. I'd gotten used to it.

Just as I was drifting off, a pair of strong arms pulled me into a warm embrace.

Andrew's breath brushed against my neck, sending a shiver down my spine.

I was forced to open my eyes, but my sharp eyes caught a long curly blonde hair on Andrew's shirt collar.

But I had always had long, straight hair since I was young.

A sudden wave of nausea surged up, and I jerked out of his arms.

Andrew came to, frowning. "Not feeling better yet?"

I couldn't help but laugh at how absurd it all was.

He was obviously thinking about another woman. So who was he putting on this caring act for?

"You know what, Andrew? Turns out you're not even as brave as a child," I said.

At least Max was honest enough to say he wanted Susan as his mom.

Andrew, however, mentioned Susan only as a friend.

He blinked, not getting it at all. "What are you talking about?"

I let out a bitter laugh. Refusing to face his phony concern, I turned my back to him and lay down.

Andrew wasn't in the mood anymore either. He got to his feet and walked out of the bedroom.

I kept my eyes tightly shut, listening as the door clicked shut behind him.

Early the next morning, my lawyer sent over the finalized divorce papers.

He messaged: [Ms. Miller, your divorce papers are all set.]

I replied: [Thanks.]

Just after I finished texting, Max came down and stood next to me.

"Mom, my birthday party this year has to be really special. I'm having an important guest," he said.

That was when it hit me. Max's birthday was coming up soon.

I lowered my eyes, silent for a while before finally replying, "Okay."

This would be the last birthday I'd ever spend with Max.

Max grinned, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and headed off to school.

After he left, I opened my travel app and booked a flight.

The flight was scheduled for three days from now—on the night of Max's birthday.

These three days, I was busy planning Max's birthday party.

At the same time, I picked out gifts for every birthday he'll have, from six all the way up to 18.

He was still my own flesh and blood. Even if I never got to see him again, I wanted to be a mom to him, at least until he was 18.

On Max's birthday, the house was filled with guests.

I held Max's hand and stood next to Andrew, with people all around us.

But Max, who used to get so excited every year on his birthday, seemed upset today. He kept kicking at the ground, glancing at the door every so often.

Even Andrew couldn't stop checking his watch.

I started wondering if I'd messed something up with the party.

Suddenly, a woman's voice came from the doorway. "Max!"

Max's head shot up, his eyes sparkling with excitement. He brushed past me and dashed toward the door. "Susan!"

I stumbled, nearly falling to the ground, and had to take several steps back before I barely managed to stay upright.

But Max didn't even notice. He threw himself into Susan's arms like he was finally back where he belonged, all his earlier gloom vanishing as his face lit up with a big smile.

"You're finally here. I've been waiting for you," he said.

Susan smiled and gently pinched his cheek, her voice soft. "There was a traffic jam on the way. Sorry for keeping my birthday boy waiting."

Andrew stepped toward Susan, and for once, his usually icy face broke into a smile.

I tried to ignore the ache in my ankle as I stood there in the crowd.

I watched my own husband and son abandon me to hover around Susan instead. A bitter feeling started in my chest and took over my whole body.

I should've realized it sooner that Susan was the only one who could make them act so strangely.

She must be the "the important guest" person Max was talking about.

The lively crowd suddenly went quiet. They looked at each other, and it was a long moment before they started talking.

"Who is she? Why are Mr. Lane and Max personally welcoming her?"

"Wait, is she the real Mrs. Lane? Did we mistake someone else for her earlier?"

"No, I heard she's Mr. Lane's first love from his study abroad days. The one he could never have. She just came back recently."

"Poor Mrs. Lane. Her husband's first love showed up right at her son's birthday party like it was nothing..."

"Shh. Mrs. Lane is still here."

I looked away, my heart was filled with bitterness, but the pain had faded away.

After tonight, I wouldn't be Mrs. Lane anymore.