Chapter 1

"Derek, explain this to me. What the hell is going on?"

I fought to keep my voice from shaking as I shoved the phone screen right in Derek's bleary face.

Derek jolted awake.

The moment he registered what was on the screen, a flash of panic crossed his eyes.

"It's the middle of the night. What's wrong with you? Going through my phone?"

He snatched the phone from my hand and locked the screen.

"It was just a handful of small transfers. I was helping a student who was struggling. Is that a crime?"

I let out an incredulous laugh.

"A struggling student? Is that why she's posting 'Thanks for the hot dogs, Pops' on Instagram?

"What exactly is going on between you two?"

The bedroom door swung open.

Our daughter Crystal stood in the doorway, visibly annoyed.

"Mom, why are you yelling in the middle of the night? Am I supposed to sleep or not?"

I looked at Crystal, who normally wouldn't even raise her voice, and the chill inside me deepened.

"Crystal, come here. Explain why you liked that woman's Instagram post."

Crystal rolled her eyes, walked over, and latched onto Derek's arm.

"Mom, can you stop being so paranoid? Candy is a really nice person.

"Dad treats her like a daughter, and she's like a big sister to me.

"So what if Dad buys her a few hot dogs? Do you have to make such a big deal out of everything?"

He treats her like a daughter? A big sister?

I felt like I was hearing the punchline to a bad joke.

"Derek, did you ask my permission before you started treating her like a daughter?

"And you, Crystal, your SATs are coming up. Why are you hanging around someone like that?"

Derek slammed his fist on the nightstand.

"Natalie, watch your mouth! What do you mean 'someone like that'?

"Candy's had a rough life. She's been working to support herself since she was young.

"I feel sorry for her. What's wrong with helping her out a little?"

Crystal chimed in from the side.

"Exactly, Mom. Candy is so independent. Way more impressive than a housewife who can't survive without a man."

It was like a needle driven straight into my heart.

I gave up a promotion for this family. I devoted myself entirely to taking care of the two of them.

And now, in my own daughter's eyes, I was nothing but a housewife who couldn't survive without a man?

Just then, Derek's phone rang.

Candy was calling.

Derek didn't even glance at me. He picked up and put it on speaker.

"Derek, I'm hungry. I want wings from that place across town."

A syrupy, nasally voice floated through the speaker.

Derek's tone softened instantly.

"Sure, sure. You want wings? I'll take you right now."

Crystal leaned toward the phone and called out.

"Candy, I want to come too! And grab me an iced coffee!"

"Of course, Crystal! Tell your dad to bring you out. Meet me at the usual spot."

The call ended.

Derek threw off the covers, got out of bed, and started getting dressed.

Crystal ran back to her room to change.

I blocked the bedroom doorway, my eyes locked on Derek.

"It's two in the morning, and the two of you are going out for wings with some party girl?

"Derek, if you walk out that door tonight, we're getting a divorce!"

Derek's hands paused on his jacket for a second.

He turned and looked at me with pure contempt.

"Natalie, don't threaten me with divorce.

"You can't even support yourself without me.

"You'd better stay home and behave. Don't make me angry."

Crystal came running back after changing and shoved me aside.

"Mom, get out of the way. Candy's getting impatient.

"If you're really that bored, you can mop the floors while we're gone."

The two of them walked out without a backward glance.

The front door slammed shut.

I stood alone in the empty living room, shaking from head to toe.

"What on earth are you two doing?"