Chapter 2

I flung the door open, making Amy jump. Her nasty words got stuck in her throat.

When she saw my fierce glare, she immediately shrank back behind Jack.

Amy spat, "What are you doing? I'm not wrong. A woman like you doesn't deserve to be a mom. Now you're still hanging onto my son and won't sign the divorce papers. Absolutely shameless."

I ignored her and looked straight at Hank, then chucked the iPad down by his feet.

"Congrats, you got your wish. Time for a new mom," I said.

Jack looked absolutely thrilled.

"What? You're really going through with the divorce?" he asked.

"Yeah, tomorrow. We're done," I replied.

With that, I shut the door behind me. Listening to the cheers outside, I couldn't help but feel like my life had been a total failure.

Picking the wrong husband was one thing, but now my son had grown into such a cold-hearted brat.

I remember clearly: Hank wasn't always like this. When did he start to change?

It must have started when Amy moved in five years ago.

At first, Hank didn't like Amy, so she did everything she could to get on his good side, spoiling him in every way.

No matter what Hank did, good or bad, Amy would cheer him on.

When Hank started swearing and getting into fights, she'd brag that he was a real man.

If I didn't let Hank eat junk food, she'd sneak it to him behind my back, stuffing him with it until he was sick.

When Hank picked up smoking and drinking, she said he was destined for greatness.

Anything I said no to, she let him do anyway, all in secret.

Every time this happened, I'd get worked up and fight with Amy, but Jack and Hank always sided with her.

After a while, I had zero authority in the house. Hank stopped listening to me and even started calling me a nosy old hag.

He saw me as the bad guy, always plotting ways to make my life miserable.

I couldn't bear to see Hank get ruined by all that coddling, so I forced myself to be the villain, just hoping he wouldn't stray too far off track.

Then Nina came along. She picked up Amy's playbook and started spoiling Hank rotten. It didn't take much to win him over.

Now I finally see it: Hank was too far gone. I should've let go ages ago.

Jack was so afraid I'd change my mind that he dragged me to the courthouse first thing the next morning.

For the past two years, no matter how much he tried to threaten or sweet-talk me, I wouldn't agree to the divorce. So when I finally brought it up myself, he didn't even dare ask for anything extra.

He just agreed to split everything fifty-fifty, no questions asked.

Honestly, I knew Jack was hiding way more money than he claimed, but I didn't care. I had way more hidden away than he could ever imagine.

He only knew about my downtown apartment that I rented out for a grand a month, but he had no clue the whole floor was mine, a gift from my folks.

My monthly rental income was two or three times his salary.

That was my safety net, my backup plan. I never even told Hank about it. With things the way they were now, honestly, I was just glad I kept that card up my sleeve.

As soon as we walked out of the courthouse, I spotted Nina and Mila waiting outside.

They were all glammed up, looking like they were headed to some fancy event, and Hank was following them around like a total simp.

He kept running back and forth, carrying their bags, asking if they were too hot, if they wanted some water, or if he should fan them.

Honestly, seeing all that left a bitter taste in my mouth.

At his age, Hank thought looks were everything. If one was good-looking, one was automatically the center of attention.

I ran my fingers over the blotches on my face from pregnancy, and for the first time, I wondered if it was all worth it.

Yeah, I could get rid of those blotches if I really tried, but it'd take ages and a ton of work.

Every penny I saved, I spent on extra classes for Hank, thinking one day he'd realize how much I did for him.

Now, looking back, it was just laughable.

Good thing I didn't have to care about Hank anymore. My money was mine to spend however I wanted. No way was I going to keep living like a pushover.

That same night after the divorce, Hank got sent packing from Nina's cramped little rental. There just wasn't enough room for him, so he ended up back at my place.

The moment Hank stepped through the door, he started acting like he owned the place, barking orders at me.

"I'm hungry. Go make me some noodles," he demanded, not even bothering to ask.

I was lounging on the couch, snacking on watermelon and watching some variety show, not even sparing him a glance.

He got annoyed and came over, giving me a shove.

"I said I'm hungry. Did you hear me?" he snapped.

"Not my problem. If you're hungry, go ask your new mom," I shot back.

Hank went quiet, then reached for the watermelon on the table. I slapped his hand away.

"All you ever do is eat. You don't make a single dime, just spend all my money," I snapped.

This time, Hank was really pissed. He jabbed a finger at me and shouted, "What are you so smug about? You're just a stay-at-home mom living off a guy.

"Now that Dad's not supporting you, let's see how you make it on your own. And don't even think I'll ever look after you when you're old!"

With that, he stormed off to his room.

After that scene, I lost all interest in the TV and started scrolling through Instagram.

Then I saw a post Jack had just put up three minutes ago.

He posted: [Couldn't have it when I was young, but now my wish finally came true. From now on, we're one big family.]

The photo showed his whole family together.

Jack was gently touching Nina's slightly rounded belly, Mila was clinging to his arm, beaming with happiness, and Amy was sitting primly off to the side.

Everyone was there, except Hank. He was the only one missing from the family photo.