Chapter 1
On my son's birthday, I packed my suitcase, ready to leave this house for good.
My husband, Henry Goodman, tried to keep his anger in check. "I just invited Yvette over to celebrate William's birthday. Do you really have to make a scene today?"
Yvette Smith stood off to the side, looking all pitiful. "Vivian, I know you don't like me, but when William said I should be his new mom, it was just a joke."
Just then, my son, William Goodman, came trotting over, phone in hand, an innocent smile lighting up his face.
He asked, "Mom, you're not making up excuses to stall, are you?
"But your trick isn't going to work. I've already booked you a ride on my phone, so just go, okay? Don't mess up my birthday."
I looked at William, who was gazing at me with expectation in his eyes.
Yvette and Henry stood on either side of him.
They looked like a picture-perfect family.
I let out a bitter laugh. "Alright. But you don't need to call me a cab.
"Someone's coming to get me."
William made a face, like he didn't care.
As far as he was concerned, my leaving was all that counted.
As for how I left? He couldn't care less.
Yvette, on the other hand, looked a bit uncomfortable.
She crouched beside him, meeting his gaze, and gently reminded him, "William, you shouldn't speak to your mother that way."
William glanced at her with the kind of trust only a kid had for someone they relied on.
He let out a quiet snort and muttered, "Who cares? She won't be my mom soon anyway.
"Yvette, you promised you'd be my new mom, right?"
Yvette paused and shot me a quick look.
When she saw my face remained blank, she finally turned her gaze to Henry, who was leaning against the wall.
Henry was as cool and distant as ever, but his face looked a bit more serious than usual.
He looked at me, his brow furrowing slightly.
It was William's seventh birthday today. We should've been celebrating as a real family, if only Yvette hadn't shown up.
For a split second, the whole mood froze.
Yvette suddenly spoke up, breaking the silence. "Vivian, I only came today to celebrate William's birthday. There's really nothing else going on."
She sounded completely innocent. "Henry and I are just friends. There's never been anything between us. It's always been a misunderstanding on your part."
I turned to Yvette, my face blank.
For a split second, her features blurred into that gentle face I remembered from years ago.
With that face, nine-tenths Mandy Jennings's, Yvette had won Henry's complete favor.
But she probably had no idea why.
I showed no emotion, dropping my gaze. "Fine. Let's call it a misunderstanding."
I glanced at the time. The person coming to pick me up wouldn't be here for a while.
But Yvette wasn't happy with how I responded.
Her anxious expression made her look like she might cry any second.
She said, "Vivian, please don't leave. It was wrong of me to come today. I never meant to intrude on your family.
"Please don't let this cause trouble between you, William, and Henry. I'll leave immediately."
Yvette made to leave, but a broad hand closed around her slender arm, stopping her.
Henry stood between Yvette and me.
He ignored Yvette completely. His gaze burned into me, fury smoldering. The air between us crackled with challenge.
William burst out in anger. "It's all Mom's fault. Why should Yvette have to leave?
"I don't want Mom. I want Yvette."
Then William threw himself into Yvette's arms, nuzzling against her like she was his own mother.
Henry spoke up, his voice cold. "Vivian, it's William's birthday. Do you really have to make a scene today?"
I stayed silent, meeting Henry's gaze.
Impatience, annoyance, barely restrained anger in his gaze, as if accusing me of being unreasonable.
I felt oddly detached.
Before, I would have crumbled: heartbroken, sobbing, screaming.
Now? Nothing. Not even a ripple.
"Yes," I said calmly.
My answer landed like a slap. Everyone blinked, caught off guard.
And right after I said that, I felt instantly lighter, like a weight had been lifted.
Yes, I knew today was William's birthday. But so what?
He never cared for me as his mother in the first place.
Truth was, I was never really his mother anyway.