Chapter 3: Lucian's custody

Emily~

“Why are you still awake?” Ethan’s voice cut through the silence as he led Lydia into the room.

I rose slowly from the couch, swallowing hard. “Ethan.” My voice wavered, but I stood my ground.

He paused, glancing at me with the kind of indifference that stings more than anger.

“Isn’t it disrespectful enough that you cheated on me on our anniversary, handed me a divorce, and sacked me from my job? And now—you bring your mistress into our home?” 

I fought to keep the tears from spilling. My hands clenched tight at my sides, trying to hold myself together. There’s only so much I can take before I break.

He smirked, mockery dripping from every word. “Well, my dear wife, we’re not sleeping in your matrimonial home anymore. I came to pick up a few things. Like I said, Lydia won’t settle in until you move out. It’ll be a lot of stress for her.”

I felt the words like knives twisting in my gut. She won’t settle in because it would be a stress for her—not because he respects me or my space. Not even Lucian.

“Where is Lucian?” he asked casually, eyes scanning the room like our son was just another item to pick up.

I didn’t answer. Couldn’t. The bile in my stomach rose with every second he stood there acting like a stranger.

 The man I had loved for years didn’t even care about our son.

Without waiting for a response, he walked past me, Lydia’s heels clicking behind him like nails in a coffin. Moments later, they left. The air in the house felt colder. Emptier.

I couldn’t sleep in our bed. Not tonight. Not after that.

I slipped quietly into Lucian’s room and curled up beside him in his tiny bed, his soft breathing grounding me in a world that had otherwise fallen apart.

The next day.

The divorce papers sat heavy in my hands— Ethan’s driver handed it to me this morning. Maybe Ethan was too ashamed to deliver them himself. I stared at the cold, official words, the weight of a decision that could shatter or save us pressing down on me.

Lucian’s future was at stake. But so was my sanity.

After dropping Lucian off at school, I decided to visit my mother-in-law. Maybe she could help—maybe there was still a sliver of hope left for this marriage. Maybe she could talk some sense into Ethan.

Driving to their house, my heart thudded in my chest with a mix of hope and dread.“Good afternoon, Mom,” I said, stepping inside.

She looked up, surprised—as if I’d arrived unexpectedly.

“You didn’t tell me you were coming. What happened? What brings you here?”

“It’s Ethan,” I said, my voice barely steady.

“What about him?” Her eyes held a flicker of something I couldn’t place—curiosity? Concern? Or something colder?

“Yesterday was our five-year anniversary. I went to the company to celebrate with him, like we always do. But… I found him—with another woman—in his office,” my voice cracked as tears pressed hard against my eyelids.“Did you ask him why? Try to find out what’s behind this sudden change?” she asked, her tone calm, almost too calm.

I blinked, surprised. I expected outrage, or at least sympathy. Not this detached question. I had hoped she’d call Ethan over and make them talk, not sit here like it was just another inconvenience.

“Well, my daughter,” she said softly, “a man doesn’t just change overnight. Something must have triggered it. Maybe it’s something you did, without knowing. You need to talk with him before it’s too late.”

I nodded slowly, confused by her indifference but too exhausted to argue.

Then my father-in-law entered, pausing when he saw me.

“Ethan said he’d be visiting with Lydia—prep—” He stopped mid-sentence, eyes landing on me.

“Oh, you’re here,” he said, waving casually.

“Good afternoon,” I replied quietly, eyes flicking between him and my mother-in-law.

Now it made sense. They knew. They had known all along about Ethan and Lydia.

A cold wave of betrayal washed over me.

I stood, voice steady despite the storm inside. “I’ll see you later, Mom.”

Just then, Ethan and Lydia were stepping into the room.

I stood on that spot, locking eyes with him, my heart pounding with everything I wasn’t saying.

“You might need to go back inside,” Ethan said without even looking at me, stepping past like I was nothing. Like I didn’t exist. “It’s better you’re here anyway.”

I froze, watching him settle down with Lydia beside him — like some shadow clinging to his side, refusing to leave.

“Mother,” I whispered, voice breaking, “you knew.”

She turned to me, eyes cold and sharp as knives. “Maybe you should check who your mother is,” she spat.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. The woman I thought was on my side, standing here like my enemy.Then Ethan turned to me, his voice low but sharp like a knife slicing through the silence.

“Emily,” he said, voice hard and cruel, “despite the divorce, it’s better for Lucian to stay with me. You can come see him whenever you want, but custody is mine. Once you sign those papers, I’ll make sure you get your alimony.”

I blinked, stunned. “Are you serious? You expect me to just give up my son? To leave him with a cheating husband and some stranger?”

He didn’t flinch. “You don’t get a choice here.I’m not asking for your consent. I’ve already taken Lucian somewhere safe. He’s better off with me. You can come see him when you’re invited.”

The room tilted.

My knees nearly gave out.