Chapter Twenty-One: Just a Little White Lie

[Alice’s POV]I walked into the kitchen this morning and found it waiting for me on the island marble countertop.A pink cardstock flyer, tucked neatly under Camilla’s backpack. It had that crisp, pretentious finish, typical of Santa Monica private schools.[FAMILY DAY – PARENTS & GUARDIANS WELCOME]Friday Morning: Field Day, Family Picnic, and PortraitsI stared at the date for two seconds, my heart skipping a beat. No!Today was Friday!The image of Camilla standing alone alongside the track, watching other kids high-five their parents, hit me like a physical blow. The guilt was suffocating. David was right about one thing: no matter how much of a train wreck our marriage was, I couldn't let it ruin her childhood.Without thinking, I grabbed my keys and flew out the door.The school grounds were a sea of blue and white flags, hydrogen balloons, and branded backdrops. The air smelled of expensive sunscreen and fresh-cut grass. The cheering was so loud, it felt abrasive.I spotted her

Last Updated : 2026-01-07

Chapter Twenty-Two: Don’t Embarrass Me

[Alice’s POV]I was about to respond, but a violent, white-hot spasm tore through my lower abdomen.The pain came without warning. It felt like something was being ripped apart inside me. I doubled over, the medal clattering onto the wooden bench next to me.“Mom?” Camilla’s smile faltered. She looked annoyed, then confused. “Are you mad? Because I didn't want you to play?”I couldn't breathe, let alone speak.A cold sweat broke across my forehead. I recalled the warning from the clinic: Uterine fibroids complicating a pregnancy.My body was like a glass house. The pregnancy hormones and rich blood supply were feeding the fibroids, making them grow aggressively. This pain was a warning. I was fully aware that the next stage could be hemorrhage.Nobody knew about the baby. Not even David, since he classified its existence as a ‘performance’. A fabrication.I had imagined a hundred beautiful ways to tell everyone, but now, the ‘perfect’ Lily was standing just a few yards away, acting l

Last Updated : 2026-01-08

CHAPTER 23: A Welcome Sanctuary

[Alice’s POV]Adam lowered me onto the soft sofa, propping pillows under me where I lay. “Stay flat. Don’t strain,” he commanded.Sarah came hurrying back, breathless, holding a plastic cup nearly filled with steaming warm water.“Here, try to drink, lady,” she said, her voice like a soft cloud. “It helps the pain go away. That’s what Mommy does when I have a cold.” Her big eyes were filled with pure, honest kindness.This genuine care — free of any judgement or hidden agendas — felt like a small fire in a frozen world. Unexpected. Welcome. Comforting.I took a few sips. The warmth spread through me, easing the tension a little. “Thank you, honey,” I managed. I tried to smile but it felt brittle.“Uncle Adam, her hands are so cold.” Sarah rubbed her own small palms together and then tucked my fingers inside them, to share her warmth. “See? Now they aren't cold.”Adam watched us, a flicker of softness in his expression.He went to the kitchen and returned with electrolyte water and a h

Last Updated : 2026-01-12

All Chapters of The Perfect Wife Walked Away: Chapter 21 - Chapter 23

Chapter Twenty-One: Just a Little White Lie

Chapter Twenty-Two: Don’t Embarrass Me

CHAPTER 23: A Welcome Sanctuary