She giggled, as if amused by the very idea. “But it doesn’t matter now. William only loves me, and even your son only sees me as his mother.”
Then, with a pitying sigh, she shook her head. “Honestly, a woman like you should just off herself and be done with it.”
A fresh wave of rage cleared my mind instantly.
I didn’t hesitate.
I raised my hand and slapped her again.
Luna’s lips curled into a knowing smirk as she stumbled backward—right into William’s waiting arms.
How convenient.
Crocodile tears streamed down her face as she clutched her chest. “William, I was just worried about Susie, so I came to check on her… but she hit me again.”
She winced dramatically. “William, I feel awful. I’ve already been slapped twice… am I dying?”
William’s expression twisted with fury.
His hand shot out, fingers wrapping around my throat. “Do you even realize Luna is sick?! You keep hurting her—are you trying to kill her?”
The room spun. My vision blurred.
Just as I thought I’d black out completely, he finally let go.
I collapsed onto the floor, gasping for breath.
William glared down at me, voice thick with disgust. “Unbelievable. Luna just got out of the hospital, and you’re already making her suffer.”
Then, as if I wasn’t even worth another second of his time, he turned to carry Luna away—probably back to the hospital again.
But she stopped him, tugging at his shirt. “No… let’s just go to the bedroom.”
Minutes later, muffled moans drifted through the walls.
I didn’t care.
My fever had spiked so high that every inch of me ached, my stomach twisting in pain.
After crouching on the floor for what felt like forever, I finally forced myself up, grabbed some fever meds, and swallowed them dry.
—
The only good thing that came from Luna’s dramatics was that William and Caleb didn’t come home for days. The house was blissfully empty.
But just as I was starting to enjoy the peace, another problem arose.
A call from Caleb’s school.
He had gotten into a fight.
I immediately dialed William’s number.
He hung up.
I exhaled slowly, then texted instead.
[Caleb got into trouble at school. You should go check on him.]
His reply was instant.
[I’m busy.]
And that was it.
No follow-up. No concern.
Just like every other time Caleb had gotten himself into a mess, William had no interest in dealing with it.
Fine.
If he wasn’t going, then neither was I.
