Chapter 2

I remembered that day, Toby, who's always been so reserved, suddenly handed me a lipstick.

I was genuinely happy for quite a while. I thought he finally learned how to win me over with a gift after all these years.

But then I found out it was just a leftover freebie that Summer didn't want.

And those students in the comments; they always act so polite and respectful when they see me, but I never imagined they'd be gossiping about me like this behind my back.

I struggled to keep my cool. And I kept scrolling through Summer's posts.

With every post I read, my heart sank a little more.

Turns out, the day my daughter was burning up with a fever, Toby said he had something at school, but he was actually with Summer, locking a love lock together.

And when I was away for a workshop, he brought Summer home for the night, had her wearing my pajamas, sleeping in our bed. I never saw any of these posts before.

They all just blocked me from their posts, like it was some unspoken agreement.

My trust in him was completely destroyed. I was the only fool left in the dark.

My vision started to blur as I numbly scrolled all the way down through Summer's posts. My stomach churned with disgust, and I couldn't stop my body from trembling.

Most of these students, Summer included, came from tough backgrounds.

Back then, they showed up at my door, begging for help with their sky-high tuition.

I just couldn't bear to let their talents go to waste. So I went out of my way to set up a scholarship fund at school just to support them.

But no one could've guessed my kindness would end up raising a pack of ungrateful brats.

And what's even more unbelievable? Toby wouldn't be half as successful if it weren't for my family's connections, and yet he still had the guts to sneak around and cheat on me.

Face cold as ice, I saved all the evidence. Then I slipped the phone back in place, making sure no one would notice.

If I was the one who lifted them up, I sure as hell could tear them down. I wanted to watch them crash and burn, broken and begging for mercy.

I stepped out onto the balcony, phone in hand, and punched in my dad's number with shaking fingers.

I said calmly, "Dad, I want a divorce."

The next day, after dropping my daughter off at school, I headed straight to Toby's lab.

As I reached the doorway, the sound of laughter and cheerful voices spilled out from inside.

"Toby, Summer got it wrong again. Come on, help her out," someone called out.

Summer pouted, her voice all sweet and playful. "I don't want his help, Warren, you teach me."

"No way, I wouldn't dare. If Toby gets mad, I'm done for," Warren replied.

Everyone burst out laughing.

Summer's cheeks turned bright red as she shot back, "Meanie, I'm not talking to you anymore."

Just then, Toby came up behind her and pulled her close, possessive. "Thinking of running off to someone else, huh?"

The chemistry between them was undeniable, the air practically crackling with flirtation.

Seeing the two of them getting all cozy, I didn't even think. I stormed right in.

The whole vibe froze over the second I walked through the door.

Toby looked totally rattled when he saw me, a flash of panic in his eyes. He instinctively took a couple of steps back, putting some distance between himself and Summer.

"Honey, when did you get here?" Toby stammered, trying to play it cool.

Seeing Toby rush to clear things up, Summer's lips curled in a pout, a hint of annoyance flashing across her face.

She spoke up. "Mrs. Arnold, Toby was just teaching me the experiment steps, that's all. Please don't misunderstand."

The other students quickly chimed in to cover for her.

"Summer's a bit clueless, you know. Toby says he's the only one who can really get through to her."

"Yeah, we were just joking around, Mrs. Arnold. Don't mind us."

Looking at their phony faces, I just scoffed to myself, seeing right through their act.

But now wasn't the moment to go nuclear. I still needed to provoke Summer, get the perfect evidence of Toby cheating.

When the time came, I'd make sure he got kicked out with nothing but the clothes on his back.

I smiled slightly and walked up, looping my arm around Toby's in a show of affection. "Of course I wouldn't misunderstand. Since everyone's here, I'll just say it.

"Honey, I went to the hospital today and found out I'm pregnant. We're having another baby."

The moment those words left my mouth, Summer dropped the glassware in shock; it shattered on the floor.

She glanced at Toby, unable to hold back a broken sob, her voice trembling and eyes brimming with tears.

"I suddenly don't feel well. I'm going to the infirmary," Summer managed, her voice barely holding together.

With that, she hurried out of the lab, head down.

Toby instantly panicked. He yanked his arm out of my hold, looking like he could barely stop himself from chasing after Summer.

But then Toby remembered I was still standing right there. He raked his fingers through his hair, agitated.

"We're not... How is this even possible?" Toby stammered, his voice trailing off.