All Chapters of The Divorce Countdown: Tears in the Closet: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

Adrian Johnston froze with the hairbrush suspended in midair.The empty milk glass in Elena's hand struck the edge of the dining table with a dull sound.They both looked at me in shock."Lily, what are you talking about?" Dad crouched until we were eye to eye and pressed his large palm to my forehead. "Are you still half asleep? Did you have a nightmare?""I didn't have a nightmare." I stepped backward and avoided his hand.I did not dare let them touch me.The system said they no longer wanted me because I was too badly behaved.I turned and ran to the entryway, forcing my feet into the sneakers Dad usually helped me wear.I could not tie the laces, so I shoved them messily inside the shoes."Lily will walk to preschool today. Daddy doesn't have to carry me."I lowered my head and stared at the floor.Mom hurried over and caught my arm. "Lily, what is happening today? Who taught you to say those things?"Her voice sounded impatient. I could hear it.She had to think I wa

Chapter 2

The next day was Saturday.I dressed by myself early and went downstairs.Nora Mercer was already awake in the living room.She was wiping dust from the coffee table with a cloth.Mom carried breakfast from the kitchen, saw her, and quickly took the cloth away. "Nora, you're our guest. You don't need to do chores. Wash your hands and get ready to eat.""Mrs. Johnston, I'm used to helping at home. Children should help adults." Nora bowed properly and spoke in a soft voice.Mom turned toward me as I reached the bottom of the stairs.I stood there, curling my toes inside my slippers.I wanted to help too, but I did not even know where the cleaning cloths were kept."Lily, come eat." Dad walked out of the study and pulled out a chair.Breakfast was fried eggs and toast.Nora sat perfectly straight and took tiny bites of toast without dropping a single crumb.The edge of my fried egg was slightly burned. Before, I would have shouted until Dad made another one.I picked up my fo

Chapter 3

Monday morning was cold.I went downstairs with the uneven hair I had cut myself.The moment Mom saw me, the bag in her hand fell to the floor."Lily! What happened to your hair?" Her voice was sharp and obviously angry.I flinched and stepped backward."I-I cut it myself. This way washing it is faster, and Mommy doesn't have to help." I stumbled over the explanation.Dad strode over and grabbed my shoulders. His hands were so strong that my bones hurt."Lily, what kind of tantrum are you throwing? This house has been in chaos because of you for days. Can you please behave?"I looked into Dad's angry eyes.He did not ask why I had cut my hair. He only thought I was making trouble.Nora came over and tugged Dad's sleeve. "Mr. Johnston, don't be angry. Maybe Lily thought it would be fun. I used to misbehave too, and my mother would punish me until I learned."Mom drew a deep breath and picked up her bag."Adrian, I have a full dress rehearsal today. I don't have time for this

Chapter 4

On Tuesday, I developed a fever.My forehead burned, and my throat was so dry that swallowing hurt.Dad was still away on a flight, and Mom had the most important full-costume rehearsal before her premiere.The housekeeper gave me fever medicine, told Nora to watch television quietly, and went to the grocery store for lunch ingredients.Only Nora and I remained in the house.I wrapped myself in a thick blanket and curled into the corner of my bed.The bedroom door opened.Nora walked inside. With no adults present, every trace of sweetness disappeared from her face.She went to my desk, opened a drawer, and began searching."What are you taking?" I asked hoarsely.She ignored me and pulled a small red velvet box from the back.It held the custom necklace Dad and Mom had made for their wedding anniversary. The pendant combined a tiny airplane with a ballet slipper, and my name, Lily, was engraved across it.They had told me the necklace represented their love and proved that

Chapter 5

"Be quiet."Dad spoke.His voice was not loud, but it carried a coldness no one could challenge.He strode into the room and stopped before Nora."Take it off."Nora trembled and covered the necklace with both hands. "Mr. Johnston, Lily insisted on giving it to me. Then she hit me..."Dad did not argue.He reached out, seized the chain, and pulled.The metal clasp snapped loudly in the room.The necklace returned to Dad's hand.Mom came to me, knelt on the floor, and wrapped her shaking arms around me."Lily, Mommy is here. Mommy isn't leaving."I leaned against her shoulder and listened to her heart pounding.The system panel inside my head flashed with blinding red light.[Error! Error! Severe deviation from the intended plot detected. Countdown forcibly terminated.]Dad turned toward Nora, who had backed into the corner, and called Grandma."Mom, you have thirty minutes to come collect Nora. From now on, do not bring another outsider into my home."My daughter has a

Chapter 6

My fever rose suddenly during the second half of the night.Dad wrapped me in a towel and ran downstairs with me in his arms. Mom followed in slippers without changing her shoes.The emergency department at St. Alder Children's Hospital was washed in harsh white light.The doctor studied the thermometer and frowned. "One hundred three point six. Why did you wait this long? And where did these injuries come from?"Dad stood beside the bed, his tall body somehow bent and smaller."Another child pushed her. We didn't notice."The doctor shook his head and placed a stethoscope against my chest."She has mild malnutrition and signs of stomach cramping. How have you been feeding her? A six-year-old's stomach is sensitive. Have you been forcing her to eat food she can't tolerate?"Mom froze and turned sharply toward Dad."Carrots," she whispered. "She hates carrots. But for the last few days, she has eaten them every day and swallowed without even drinking water."The doctor finishe

Chapter 7

Dad did not sleep at all that night.At eight the next morning, he changed into casual clothes and drove directly to Little Oaks Academy.Ms. Whitfield, the academy director, rose quickly when Dad entered her office with a cold expression. "Mr. Johnston, why did you come personally? Lily is home sick today. Is she feeling better?"Dad ignored the question and pulled out a chair."Bring me every security recording from the senior preschool classroom for the past three days. I want all of it."Ms. Whitfield hesitated. "Mr. Johnston, that isn't our normal procedure. The recordings include other children's private information."Dad slammed his car keys onto the desk."My daughter was injured here yesterday. Her knee is covered in bruises. If you won't preserve and review the footage with me, I'll call the police and have them request it."Ms. Whitfield jumped and immediately asked security to display the recordings on her computer.Dad watched the screen.The first scene showed l

Chapter 8

Mom's phone rang for the third time in the living room.She sat on the kitchen floor beside a Dutch oven, awkwardly cutting pork ribs while following an online recipe.Her hands, insured for a fortune and trained to create perfect ballet lines, were covered in grease and diluted blood. A fresh cut on her index finger was still bleeding.The phone stopped and began ringing again.I stood in the kitchen doorway, terrified by the blood on her finger."Mommy, your phone. Your hand is bleeding," I reminded her softly.Mom wiped her hand carelessly against her apron and answered."Elena Johnston! Why aren't you at the theater? Opening night is in two days. Do you still want to be principal dancer?" The artistic director's furious voice came through the phone.Mom looked at me in the doorway."Mr. Bell," she said calmly, "I'm resigning."The other end went silent."What are you talking about? You worked three years for this role. Do you understand the financial consequences of walk

Chapter 9

After dinner, I went into Dad's study to look for paintbrushes.The desk drawers were unlocked. When I opened the lowest one, I found documents inside a brown envelope. I thought they were divorce agreements.My fingers jerked away as if I had been shocked.The voice that had been silent for two days suddenly returned.[Key plot item detected. Host, be advised: the divorce agreement between the male and female leads has been completed.][Their recent behavior was only a performance intended to calm the host. They will sign shortly.][The host should leave immediately and avoid unnecessary resistance.]I stared at the brown envelope.So they had only been kind because they felt guilty.They still did not want me.I did not cry. I thought I had already used every tear I had.I turned, left the study, and went back to my bedroom.I took out the small backpack I normally used for toys.I packed no clothes and no toys. I took only the family photograph showing the three of us.

Chapter 10

One week later, sunlight streamed through the living-room windows on a Saturday morning.I sat on the couch and changed television channels with the remote."Mommy! I want strawberry milk, and it can't be cold!" I shouted.Mom leaned out from the kitchen with a cleaning cloth in her hand. Her hair was twisted loosely behind her head, and she wore an old flour-stained T-shirt."Coming! I just finished washing the strawberries!" she answered cheerfully.She brought me warm strawberry milk and placed it on the coffee table.I took one sip and frowned."It's too sweet. I don't want it." I pushed the cup away.Mom did not become angry. She picked it up. "All right. Mommy will make orange juice. Would you like a little honey?""No honey. I want it sour.""Whatever our little queen wants." Mom returned to the kitchen.The front door opened, and Dad entered carrying a huge box."Lily, look what Daddy bought you!"He set it down and opened it. Inside was a limited-edition doll cast

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