Betrayed on Both Ends

After my childhood friend, Liam Lywood, got divorced, he stayed at my house more often than he stayed at his own rented place.

He always wore the cotton T-shirts I had stopped wearing years ago. He tied on my apron and bustled around the kitchen.

Whenever my wife, Gina Stroud, came home from work and took off her shoes, there was a hot meal waiting for her on the dining table.

She often sighed. "Honey, look how thoughtful Liam is. You should learn from him. Now this feels like a real home."

I had just closed a 30-million-dollar deal and was too tired to even take off my dress shoes. All I could think was that she was talking nonsense.

However, I kept that thought to myself. After all, Liam had just gone through a divorce. If I snapped at her, I would look heartless.

All that changed today. I left work early because of a headache, and as soon as I drove into the neighborhood, I passed the playground.

I saw Gina and Liam.

Gina was sternly scolding my five-year-old daughter, Trixie Glasby.

"LEGO is too expensive. We already have several sets at home. We're not buying another one!" Gina lectured.

Trixie sat on the ground, throwing a tantrum and crying her eyes out. "I want it! All the other kids have one!"

Gina turned to leave, clearly annoyed.

Just then, Liam walked over.

He crouched down, gently wiped Trixie's face with a tissue, then pulled a Barbie doll from his bag.

It wasn't LEGO, but it was still an expensive toy.

He put the doll in Trixie's arms and whispered something in her ear.

She stopped crying at once and threw her arms around Liam's neck, then kissed him on the cheek.

Gina stood nearby, watching them with a tenderness that was impossible to miss.

They looked like a family of three.

I tightened my fingers around the steering wheel until my knuckles turned white. My nails dug into my palms.

I didn't get out of my car. I backed into a parking spot and sat in the car for half an hour.

By the time I composed myself and went upstairs, everything at home was calm again.

Liam was bringing dishes to the table. Trixie sat on the couch watching TV, with no toy in her hands.

"Jordan, you're back. Go wash your hands and eat. I made your favorite sticky ribs today." Liam smiled innocently.

Gina glanced at me and stayed where she was. "Why are you home so early? You didn't even let us know. Liam didn't make enough food for you."

"It's fine. I'll just eat a little less." Liam quickly tried to smooth things over and served me a bowl of soup.

That night, I read Trixie a bedtime story. She seemed distracted and kept reaching under her pillow.

"Dad, can you leave a little earlier tonight? I want to sleep by myself," she said.

She used to be so attached to me, always wanting to be in my arms.

"Okay. You're all grown up now." I smiled as I tucked her in. Then I turned off the light and closed the door.

I stood outside her room for five minutes. I heard rustling inside the room. It was the sound of plastic packaging being opened.

Once Trixie was fast asleep, I quietly pushed open the door.

I reached under her pillow and felt the Barbie doll. There was also a folded note.

In the moonlight, I could make out the words.

The handwriting was neat and elegant, and I recognized it right away.

"This is our little secret. Don't tell your dad. He works hard to make money, but he's not like me. I only care whether you're happy, Trixie. Love, Uncle Liam."