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Once I was done recovering from the surgery, I came back to an empty house. I had to wait for the next day to see my husband, Robert Price, coming home with his mother, Margaret Price, and our son, Rayan Price.

They appeared utterly unconcerned about me.

The moment the door opened, Sarah Hartley’s voice came through Robert’s phone. Sarah was Robert’s boss.

It drew closer as they entered the room.

“Sorry about that, Grace. It was my birthday yesterday, and Robby ended up staying over to celebrate with me instead of picking you up from the hospital. I did give him an earful, though, you can trust me!”

She sounded as though she was scolding him, but it was obvious she was mocking me. I stared quietly at Robert and was about to speak when Rayan’s thoughts flashed through my mind.

“Sarah is so nice! Nothing like my mom, who’s always breathing down my neck about homework. Why couldn’t Sarah be my mother?”

Rayan leaned against the doorframe with a frown. I looked at him and felt a pang of sorrow in my heart. How could the child I carried for nine months say that?

Just as I was about to lose my composure, Robert sat on the edge of the bed and said tenderly, “Get back to bed. You’re an adult. You should know better than to neglect yourself. If you end up back in the hospital, I’m going to be seriously upset with you.”

His tone was as warm and caring as always. Had I not been able to hear his true thoughts, I would have bought his whole sweet act.

“Look at her acting all dramatic. Is she about to throw a fit? I need to keep her calm. If I accidentally blurt out that this ramshackle was hers before we got married, how’s Rayan supposed to look up to me?”

I found it amusing, but I could not laugh out loud.

Back then, I fell for Robert at first sight. I went crazy trying to be with him, even though he came from a poor background. I cut ties with my parents for him. I ran away from home. I became pregnant before marriage and gave birth to Rayan. For ten years, I worked while taking care of the household and everyone in it. Then, I had to quit my job for a lumpectomy. Only then did I see the true colors of these ungrateful people.

I yanked the blanket off Robert and showed some displeasure on my face.

On the phone, Sarah acted as though she had been terribly wronged.

“Robby, Grace isn’t saying anything. Is she mad at me? Say something nice to her for me, will you?”

Margaret arrived late, but she could sense something was off instantly. She quickly stepped in to mediate.

“Sarah, don’t let her get to you. She’s just a homemaker. She doesn’t have the same poise as someone like you who’s young and accomplished. Grace, since you’re not feeling well, just rest. We’re heading out in a bit to help Sarah pick out furniture for her new place.”

After she spoke, her inner thoughts slipped through.

“What a waste. It was just a cyst. A small lump didn’t need surgery; we lost so much money on that! Thank goodness Robert slept with his female boss! A promotion and a raise are guaranteed. Staying with this woman will never make him accomplish anything.”

I looked coldly at my closest family members standing before me. Each wore a mask of false kindness.

I did not let mine show anything but indifference.