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Thalia's Pov 

My heart weighed heavily as I waited for their arrival. Evening came and the front door opened.

Mirelle walked in with Eirik, holding hands with him but when he saw me, he let go hesitantly. Meanwhile, Ianth clung to Mirelle like she was his lifeline. She dropped him to the ground from her hands and held his hand.

They laughed like one big family as the group chat from earlier described. The scene unfolded like a short movie clip in front of my very own eyes. Everything confirmed all my fears.

I heaved a sigh, trying to control my anger. I still needed to know about the photo that I saw. "Sweetheart..." I called Ianth, walking closer to him.

Ianth dodged me immediately. My fragile heart dropped to the ground. I ignored it again. He was just a child. He barely knows what he is doing.

I pulled Eirik into our room. "Why didn't you let me pick up my son?" I demanded from him. My voice was low and tense.

"You were busy. I had things to sort out at the office too. Mirelle offered assistance and I allowed her." He responded.

I shook my head negatively. "I can never be too busy for my son. I have always been the one picking him up." I argued back. We both knew I was telling the truth.

"I apologize." Eirik said,

I braced myself up for what I wanted to ask next. "I saw a photo. You and Mirelle were together intimately. What was it about?" I didn't avoid his eyes.

"How did you know about it?" He asked surprisingly. 

"Is that important? What was it about?"

He came closer but I stepped backwards instinctively. "I am sorry I didn't tell you this before. Mirelle and I dated a long time ago."

"Dated? She is your ex?" I was flabbergasted. 

"We broke up. We are no longer together. We are just friends now, nothing more." He quickly added.

I scoffed in disbelief. "That was when you allowed your ex to move in with your family. You didn't think of having boundaries? Your son literally called her mom!" The more I spoke about it, the more anger I felt.

"Ianth is just a kid but Mirelle offered assistance and that was why I agreed." He defended.

I nodded. I should have expected that would be his response. Mirelle is always offering assistance and he is always agreeing to her without a second thought, without thinking of the consequences. 

"Did you forget today is our anniversary?" I was already sobbing even when I was trying not to.

Eirik pulled me into a hug. "I didn't mean to hurt you, Thalia." He rubbed my back and I relaxed unto him unknowingly. 

He pulled out a small box and presented it to me. "I bought it myself." He slipped the ring onto my finger.

I softened slightly. The ring was undeniably beautiful. I wanted to believe him. I wanted peace. I wanted my family back. 

"Ask Mirelle to move out. I am not comfortable with her being in my home anymore." I demanded firmly.

Eirik sighed and nodded, wrapping his arms around me. "I will see to it. It is for the best."

Somehow, I felt protected again for the first time in many weeks. I was relieved that he agreed. The house is mine again, I hoped. The crucial step was for Mirelle to leave and thank God that would happen now. 

Dinner was served. I dished out the food I had prepared earlier into my husband's and son's plate. "I made the food for our anniversary." I smiled.

"Thank you, honey." Eirik kissed my cheeks passionately and I blushed.

Ianth had a frown on his face. "Where is Aunty Mirelle? She said she would help me finish my homework tonight." He said, staring at me suspiciously from beneath his long eyelashes.

"She had something to take care of, Sweetheart. I will help you with your homework instead." I answered him gently, picking his spoon to feed him playfully.

"No, she didn't. She promised she would help me tonight. Did you send her away?" He fumed.

I tried to stay calm. "It would be better if we had some space as a family."

"That's a lie. I heard you earlier. You hate her. You made her leave forcefully!" Ianth yelled, pushing the fork in my hands and the plate on the table away.

Broken plates scattered on the ground. "Sweetheart, please listen --" I tried to touch him but he slapped my hands away.

"You are very mean!" Ianth yelled. He stood up but his legs stepped on the broken pieces on the ground.

I stood up immediately, wanting to check the wound out but he pushed me backwards and I landed on the broken pieces with my hands.

"I don't want you to be my mom. I want Aunty Mirelle to be my mom. You are so evil!" He yelled furiously. 

I became broken instantly. "You don't mean that." I whispered nervously, not wanting to hear more from him.

"I mean it! I wish she was my real mom!" He screamed with all his might, his tears falling on his cheeks.

My eyes widened when he knocked the anniversary cake off the table. Cream and cake crumbs splattered all over my dress. I froze, staring at the mess.

"This was supposed to be a special night." I watched Eirik run after Ianth.

The dining room was now wrecked. Slowly, I stood up with blood on my hands and feet. I went to get cleaning agents for the area. 

Suddenly, it dawned on me. I did everything right. I gave my love to my family. I gave motherhood and the bond that came with it. I gave everything in my being to protect my family.

But all I got in return was heartbreak, humiliation, betrayal and rage. Tears fell to the floor, my heart clenched with pain and my lips wrecked with sobs but I kept on cleaning. How did my family become this way? What did I do wrong?

The room was quiet. The air was heavy and thick. My hands trembled. I was losing blood but it wasn't up to a quarter of the pain I was feeling emotionally. 

My knees crumpled as I crashed to the floor, trembling. Every part of me was breaking at once. I collapsed — mind, body and soul.