Chapter 1

Once her IV drip finished, I helped my mother, Casey Caldwell, into an Uber and took her home.

Just as I unlocked the front door, my wife, Melody Caldwell, could be heard laughing hysterically from the living room.

She was on the phone with her brother, Maddox Baldwin.

“…Ever since I tricked her with that fake escape room card, that old hag’s been spending her own money buying me wild salmon and fancy treats every single day.”

“Oh, Melody. That’s savage. You’re going to wipe out her entire retirement savings.”

Maddox’s smug voice came through the phone.

With her back facing the door, Melody blew on her freshly done nails without a care.

“It’s her fault for not asking Parker for a dime. She has brought this on herself, so that’s on her.

“Besides, I’m sick of her. She gives off this cheap, small-town vibe.

“Honestly, if her cooking wasn’t halfway decent, I wouldn’t have let you set foot in this house.

“Apparently, she’s been washing dishes at that crappy diner on the corner to cover the groceries. She can barely make time to eat, but it works out for me. She’s too wiped out to nag me.”

I stood at the door, my blood running cold. Out of the blue, I slammed the door wide open.

Melody jumped at the loud noise and hung up in a fluster, her eyes shifty.

“H-Honey, y-you’re home early.”

When her gaze caught Casey, Melody pinched her nose without thinking.

“What’s that smell on you, Casey? Have you been hanging out at a dumpster or something?

“Go and wash up. Don’t bring all those germs with you into the house.”

I settled Casey onto the couch before slapping the junk card on the coffee table.

“Why did you give my mother a bogus gift card?”

Melody’s eyes darted around nervously. Still, she dug her heels in and said, “What do you mean by bogus? I gave her a real gift card.

“I bet she lost it, or…” Her mind raced to turn the accusation back on Casey.

“Or maybe she got greedy, sold the gift card for cash, and took the job at the diner, so she could put on a sob story and make you feel sorry for her.

“Parker, Casey is quite the manipulator. She’s barely been here, and she’s already trying to wreck our marriage.”

“Oh?” I laughed in disbelief.

“We heard your whole phone conversation with Maddox. We were right outside.

“You whined about the way Mom smells and expected her to drain her savings to wait on you hand and foot. Have you no shame?”

Melody went white, but soon enough, rage took over.

“So you were eavesdropping? That’s low, Parker.

“Come on. Your mother always smells like she crawled out of some rundown trailer park. Am I wrong?

“I only asked her to do a little extra around the house. Is it worth all this drama?”

“Mom was so busy cooking for you that she didn’t even have time to feed herself. She pushed herself so hard that she ended up in the hospital, and you still think I’m being petty?”

Before things could get uglier, Casey grabbed my hand in a panic, tears spilling from her eyes.

“Please don’t fight, Parker. It’s all my fault. I must have gotten things mixed up.

“There’s nothing wrong with the card. I’m just too old to get around using it. Please, don’t fight over me!”

It pained me to see Casey swallowing her pride just to keep the peace.

It only fueled Melody’s fire.

“See? She admitted it herself. You’re such a mama’s boy. I’ve had enough of this!”

With that, Melody grabbed her designer handbag from the couch and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

Casey grew frantic, tears rolling down her cheeks. “Parker, go after her! You should never go to bed angry.”

I held her hands down and uttered softly, “I’m not going after her, Mom.

“I’m done with her. I’m getting a divorce.”