Chapter 6 — Breaking Hearts

Renee's POV

"We'll leave soon, sweetie." I smiled at Caleb. "I just need to go upstairs and pack."

"Let me help you!" He insisted. "You're not fully healed, and I don't want you to hurt your back even more."

It was touching to hear Caleb be so mindful about my injuries. He didn't question me, or look at me like I was being overdramatic. Instead, he supported me fully and was considerate about my well-being..

Caleb acted more like my son than my biological one.

"Who… Who is that?" Gregory asked in a somewhat calm manner; he couldn't even hide the irritation and disbelief in his voice.

"This is Caleb," I answered nonchalantly. "My adoptive son."

"Your… what?" He stared at me like I'd gone crazy. "Stop playing games, Renee. Who is this child really?"

"Stop being so stubborn, Gregory." I rolled my eyes. "I met this young boy in the hospital's lobby as I was getting discharged. He had just lost both of his biological parents due to a drug overdose."

Gregory looked like he wanted to argue, but pity flashed through his eyes momentarily and stopped him in his tracks.

So, I continued. "I couldn't leave him at the mercy of the foster care system. So, I'm adopting him. I plan to complete the paperwork within the coming days."

"This is ridiculous!" Gregory scolded me. "You already have a son to take care of!"

"Yeah, so maybe this street rat should leave!" Julian yelled "He doesn't belong here!"

"I don't belong here either," I defended Caleb immediately. "You both have made that painfully clear. So don't worry. We'll both be leaving soon."

Julian's eyes widened. "B-but who's going to cook for me in the future? Wash my clothes? What about my schoolwork?"

"It seems like your Auntie Camille plans to stay, right?" I nodded in her direction. "You can ask her instead."

Before either of them could argue, I led Caleb upstairs to the bedroom so he could help me pack.

My heart was racing at a million miles an hour, and it felt like I was going to be sick. Even though I had nowhere to go, I would figure it out. Anywhere was better than being trapped somewhere where I was seen as an outsider.

I deserved better.

And so did Caleb.

As I was getting my clothes and important paperwork, Gregory appeared at the doorway.

He leaned against the frame as a look of annoyance and disdain twisted his features. "Stop pretending like you're actually going to leave." He scoffed. "These petty little tactics aren't going to work on me. You're still the one in the wrong."

"When have I ever been the one to be petty?" I threw my papers in my bag and jerked my head in his direction. "I'm being serious, Gregory! I'm fed up with the mistreatment and the disrespect. I'm leaving. I also want a divorce!"

Just as I uttered those words, I saw Camille in the doorway. Her pretty features warped into one of arrogance as a cruel, scheming smirk twisted her lips.

After all these months of having my own family and in-laws dote on her for simply breathing while I had to walk on glass shards to even gain their recognition, I realized I was actually done with it all.

Camille could have this. I wasn't going to fight for a spot in this family that was clearly never truly meant for me.

"Are you crazy?!" Gregory nearly spat out the words. "You can't just sit there and joke about wanting a divorce, Renee!"

Julian ran into the room then as he stepped in between me and Gregory. "If you divorce daddy, I hope you know I'm never going to you my mommy ever again!"

Those words should've paled in comparison to what he's already said to me, yet it hurt just as much, if not more.

Being called 'mommy' by my son was the most rewarding thing about motherhood because it was a title of love and reverence.

But now… It was obvious that he held none of those feelings for me. No matter how much I tried to raise him right, and how much love I poured into him… It would never be enough because I was fat.

I hid my inner pain and continued to pack my belongings as they stood there. They might not have thought I was being serious, but they should've known better.

When I made up my mind on something, I wasn't the type to go back on my word.

"Mommy… What is that?" Caleb asked me when he went into my closet.

I followed him and saw the clay model that I made for Julian was sitting there on the floor. I smiled bittersweetly. "It was a clay model that I made to look like Julian as a king. I made it for his open house event."

"Wow… It's really pretty, mommy. You did a great job!" Caleb beamed. "Can you make me something like that?"

I looked down at Caleb and it was then that I noticed just how much he actually looked like Julian—dark hair, light-colored eyes, and a fair complexion.

Maybe it was fate that this little boy found me.

Then, I got an idea. "I can just take it for you, sweetie." I smiled.

"NO!" Julian shrieked as he tried to pull me out of the closet and away from the model. "It's mine! It was made for me! He's not allowed to have it!"

"And why not? I was the one that made it for you, yet you wouldn't tell anyone else that." I retorted. "You even tried to pass it off as Camille's work. If anything, I'm allowed to take it because I stayed up all night making it! I'll give it to someone who actually appreciates what I do."

I picked up the clay model and noticed Julian's note that was still attached.

DADDY + JULIAN + CAMILLE = FAMILY 4EVER!!

I tore it into pieces, throwing the shredded paper onto the floor.

As I was trying to get out of the closet, Camille stood in my way and tried to block me.

"Renee… Don't you think you're being a little too harsh on Julian?" She asked. "He's your son! It's not right of you to just take what was meant for him."

I didn't even give her the satisfaction of arguing back, as I squeezed myself past her and the doorframe.

Unexpectedly, however, Camille dramatically threw herself against the wall with a hard thud. "OW!" Camille cried out in pain. "What did I ever do to you, Renee?"

I looked at her like she'd gone crazy. I didn't even touch her!

Suddenly, Julian charged right for me and ripped the clay model from my hands. And as if he hadn't broken my heart already, he raised his hand as if he were about to hit me.

"I HATE YOU!" Julian cried. "THAT BOX SHOULD'VE JUST DONE ME AND DADDY A FAVOR AND KILLED YOU!"