Chapter 2

Evelyn’s POV

I never imagined that my husband would cheat on me, especially in our own home. 

But it wasn’t just Adrian wanting to replace me. Liam’s words had cut the deepest. My little son!

Right now, all I wanted was for Liam to show even a little bit of loyalty, but his next words shattered that hope entirely. He clapped his hands excitedly and rushed into Vivian's arms with a huge grin, as she returned his hug.

"That's good, Daddy! We don’t need that bad mommy! She always tells me what to do. And I hate the horrid food she makes me eat. I want hamburgers and my favorite fried chicken, with Miss Vivian!"

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. After Liam’s health issues were diagnosed, I gave up everything else, dedicating my life to him. And why not? He was like my most precious possession. His diet was strictly controlled, and I did everything I could to keep him safe and healthy. So, how could he hate me so much?

The most heartbreaking words came next.

"Miss Vivian, you should be with my daddy. We don’t need that bad woman. Will you be my new mom?" Liam declared.

It was like a knife to my heart. I never thought my own son would help Adrian betray me. Worse still, he called me a "bad woman." Where did that come from? What had his father been telling him?

My breath caught in my throat, it felt like I would suffocate. I had to force the panic down, swallow my distress.

"Of course, Liam. You're the best little treasure," Vivian said, smiling as she hugged my son.

The three of them, sitting together, looked like the perfect happy family. Meanwhile, I stood outside the door, the barrier to their happiness.

At that moment, I knew it was over.

My nails dug into my palms so hard that I could feel the blood seeping out, but I didn’t care.

Without another thought, I pushed open the door with such force that it slammed loudly against the wall,  startling the trio in the study.

Adrian instinctively wrapped his arm around Vivian’s waist and shot me a feral glare. “What are you doing here?” he demanded, a deep frown scoring  his forehead.

“Adrian, it appears that we should get a divorce!” I declared, going straight for the throat.

I saw the shock in his eyes, but it was Vivian who reacted first. She pushed Adrian away and stood up, brushing her hair back. “Mrs. Whitman, you’ve misunderstood.”

“Ms. Brooks, do you kiss every student’s parent you meet?” I spat, bitterness lacing every word.

My heart ached, and the image of them together was seared into my mind.

“Evelyn, you misunderstood. It was just a game, nothing more. If you're upset, I’ll apologize,” Adrian said, his annoyed tone betraying the pretense at innocence.

For the first time, he felt like a stranger to me. I realized then that Adrian didn’t suddenly turn into someone like this — he had been this way all along, I just never let myself see it.

“Adrian, how long has this been going on? When did it start? Have you been seeing her since Liam started school?”

My voice was barely audible. I no longer have the strength to argue about anything.

I have cancer. The doctor told me this morning.

I came home with a nervous heart, hoping for some comfort from my husband and care from my son, but I got nothing.

My husband betrayed me. My son hates me.

I don’t want to fight. I don’t want to explain, beg, or try to make sense of this mess.

Forget it. Right now, I just want to leave, to escape this cold and no-longer familiar place.

“Evelyn, stop making silly accusations. Vivian and I haven’t done anything wrong,” Adrian insisted. 

He rose and came over to me. I could see the irritation in his expression.

“Adrian, how can you say that? Do you really think I need to catch you in bed for you to admit that you’re cheating? I’m trying to leave with some dignity. I’ll agree to a fair divorce, but if you don’t, I’ll make sure everyone knows you’ve betrayed me with another woman.”

I couldn’t hide the anger anymore. Without my family’s backing, Adrian wouldn’t be who he is today. He claimed he was self-made, but every deal, every partnership, came about because I went to my father for the connections Adrian needed.

Adrian wasn’t the man he pretended to be, and I wasn’t going to let him have it all.

Before I could react, a small figure lunged at me, fists pounding against my stomach. “Mommy, you’re a bad person! I hate you!” cried Liam.

I felt like my heart had just shattered. I had spent years caring for Liam, running from hospital to hospital, always thinking of his well-being. Just yesterday, I was trying to find the best doctor to cure his asthma. But now, my own son was calling me a bad mother?

The sleepless nights, the worry, the care — all to have him accuse me of being a bad person.

“I want Miss Vivian to be my new mommy!” Liam said angrily.

I tried to hold back my tears, but they came anyway. I forced a smile, feeling more broken than I had ever felt before.

Liam ran back to Adrian’s side, crying out, “Tell her to go away, Daddy! You don’t like her! Then we can be with my new mommy!”

I couldn’t bear to look at him anymore.

Adrian frowned, his expression hardening. “Evelyn, are you sure you want a divorce?”

I nodded, my face empty of emotion. In a quiet, husky voice, I said, “Yes. Divorce.”