He Fed Us Dog Food, I Fed Him Regret

This was the second time. I let out a bitter laugh.

My mother's words echoed in my mind: "Once a cheater, always a cheater."

I picked up my phone and pulled up the form to dissolve a mate bond.

Tears were already falling on the screen.

That's when Lennox called, his voice carrying the usual half-hearted apology. "Sorry, Crystal. I have to work late tonight. I won't be able to make it home."

My body was still sore from the workout, but it was nothing compared to the ache in my chest.

"Okay."

He wasn't expecting how calm I sounded. It caught him off guard.

I didn't want to hear another word from him. I hung up.

Then I sent him a photo of Alice.

"Let's dissolve our mate bond."

I didn't look at my phone again. I went straight home.

When I walked in, Lennox was already there playing with Zane and his toys.

The moment he saw me, Zane dropped his toys and came running. "Mommy!"

Not a flicker of guilt on his face.

He smiled at me, but his words were directed at Zane. "Zane, how about you go on a trip to the island with Mommy for a month?"

Zane frowned and pulled away from me. He sat back down with his toys, rejecting the idea entirely.

I understood immediately. Lennox was using Zane to threaten me.

Zane was diagnosed with autism at three. His biggest struggle was change — anything from a different spoon at meals to a new house.

Dissolving my bond with Lennox — I couldn't imagine what that would do to Zane.

I stared at my son in silence.

Then someone burst through the front door.

Alice was holding the hand of a little girl about Zane's age. Without a word, she dropped to her knees in front of me, tears streaming down her face. "Crystal, I'm begging you — give Lennox back to me. It's Amy's birthday today. Amy needs her father!"

Amy looked up at Lennox with watery eyes. "Daddy! Daddy!"

Zane clutched his toy tightly, confused, staring at me — not understanding why another child was calling Lennox "Daddy."

Lennox looked rattled. He probably hadn't expected Alice to show up like this.

"What are you talking about? Sweetheart, they have nothing to do with me."

The next second, Alice collapsed.

"Alice!"

Lennox shoved me aside and caught her.

As she leaned weakly against his chest, a faint, triumphant smile crossed her lips.