Severing Our Ties

The next morning, Will was up at the crack of dawn. For the first time in eight years, a man who never even made a cup of coffee actually cooked a full breakfast spread. Luna sat at the table, practically glowing as she took a bite. “Will, you’re amazing. This is delicious.” He chuckled, his voice warm. “Of course, silly. Who else would I do this for? I made your favorite—cheddar and bacon omelet with a side of blueberry pancakes. You need to eat well and keep your strength up.” “Yeah! Pretty Auntie, try this! It’s the best!” The three of them sat there, laughing and chatting, like the perfect little family. Like I was the outsider. When I walked in, Will cleared his throat and glanced at me. “I made a cheddar and spinach quiche. You should have some.” “Yeah, Will’s cooking is amazing! Try a bite!” Luna said sweetly, slicing a piece and placing it on my plate. Expressionless, I picked up the slice and dumped it straight into the trash. Luna’s eyes welled u

I miscalculated. The elementary school had my number on file, not William’s. The teacher called me over and over again, blowing up my phone until I had no choice but to go in. My design drafts would have to wait. But the moment I arrived at the school, I spotted Luna standing right next to Caleb. Two mothers suddenly appearing must have confused the teacher because she looked completely lost. Caleb, however, didn’t hesitate. Pointing straight at me, he announced loudly in front of everyone, “She’s not my mom! She’s just our maid!” Then, grinning, he nestled up against Luna. “This is my real mom!” Luna reached out and playfully ruffled his hair, casting me a look of open triumph. “Susie, why don’t you just go home? I’ve got everything handled here.” I stood there, numb, watching as they stood together—closer than I’d ever been with my own son. Fine. He had made his choice. From now on, Luna was his mother. I forced a smile. “You’re right, Caleb. Fr

William stepped forward, still trying to grab my arm. I was done. Without hesitation, I slapped him across the face. “Mr. Larson, you wouldn’t want to end up trending for harassment tomorrow, would you?” “Susie, wait—” Before he could finish, a shrill voice interrupted. “William! I finally found you!” Luna came running toward him, her face filled with joy. After William had discovered her fake illness, he had completely cut her off. But last month, she found out she was pregnant. Which meant—she had another chance to claw her way back. Grabbing William’s hand, she pressed it against her stomach. “William, I’m having your baby! We’re going to be a family again!” William’s face drained of color as he looked between her and me. “Susie, I can explain—” Luna smirked, tightening her grip on his arm and shooting me a triumphant look. “Some people really have no shame. You’re clinging to a man who already dumped you. Pathetic.” “Shut the hell up.” W

The trending video was Luna’s latest act—her grandest performance yet. She accused both William and me of ruining her life, painting herself as the tragic victim of betrayal. "William abandoned his wife and our unborn child. And it was all because of her! Susie Winters destroyed our love, tore our family apart! And worst of all—she attacked me so brutally that I lost my child!" On-screen, Luna sobbed dramatically, her voice trembling with grief. "No real mother would ever use her own child to smear someone else!" And just like that, the internet exploded. William’s already crumbling company took another massive hit as the stock price nosedived once again. Meanwhile, I became public enemy number one—labeled everything from a homewrecker to a murderer. But did she really think a few crocodile tears and lies could ruin me? I laughed. If Luna wanted a war, I’d give her one. She assumed there were no cameras that day, that no one could disprove her story.