All Chapters of Their Favorite Child Destroyed Them: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

I was in the middle of presenting the quarterly report in the conference room when my phone started buzzing nonstop on the table.I signaled for my assistant to take it outside, forced myself to finish the presentation, then hurried out to check it.Sure enough, it was my wife, Madison Conner. Seven missed calls and a flood of messages packed with exclamation points filled the screen. My chest tightened with every one I read.I found a quiet corner of the office and called her back.To my surprise, she didn't start yelling. She just sounded worn out."What took you so long? I already handled everything. I swear, whenever I actually need you, you're nowhere to be found."I ignored the dig and asked what had happened.She sighed impatiently."What do you think? Simon. That kid gets worse every day. "During gym class, he lifted a girl's skirt and tried to pull down her shorts. Her mom was at the school for something and happened to still be there. She saw the whole thing from

The next day was Saturday. Zoe and Simon had activities that afternoon, and I wanted Madison to sleep in, so I got up quietly and went to the kitchen to make breakfast for everyone. I made oatmeal, scrambled some eggs, cut up fresh fruit, and warmed a batch of cinnamon rolls. I followed nearly the same routine for close to ten years. By then, I could have done it in my sleep.After setting everything on the table, I checked the time. Grace and Andrew would be back from their morning walk soon, so I went to Madison's room to wake her.For the past three years, Madison had rarely slept in the same room as Zoe and me. Most nights, she slept beside Simon instead.Simon originally shared a room with Grace, but he tossed and turned all night and constantly kicked off his covers. Grace complained that she already had enough trouble sleeping without waking up every hour to tuck him back in. Eventually, she said she couldn't take it anymore.Madison volunteered to sleep with Simon ins

Grace's face went from red to pale. Madison quickly stepped in to calm things down."Peter, come on. Mom only said that because she didn't want you to leave. She was trying to scare you, and you actually took her seriously. You really don't know how to take a joke. Alright, enough. It's over. I'll talk to Simon again later. That kid never listens."As she spoke, she reached into the suitcase and started putting the clothes back, but I stopped her."Madison, I've already made up my mind. I told you a long time ago that I wanted us to move out, and you refused. I'm not backing down this time. Even if nothing had happened to Zoe today, I still wouldn't stay in this house any longer."Andrew slammed the end of his wooden practice sword against the floor."Let him go! Let's see how long he lasts on his own!"-With help from a coworker, I quickly found an apartment. It was a brand-new, fully furnished two-bedroom with a bright, spacious living room.Best of all, the landlord, Vane

Once Zoe was settled in, I applied for a transfer at work. Just like that, I went from managing the after-sales department to working as a sales rep.I wanted to give one last push for the future Zoe and I deserved.For two months, we had been living on our own. Between work and taking care of Zoe, I had gone from barely holding everything together to managing it all with ease. I felt more motivated than ever and genuinely hopeful about the future.In those two months, Madison didn't visit Zoe once. I knew she was waiting me out, convinced I would eventually give in and come back.During those quiet hours late at night, I often found myself thinking about our marriage and the part Madison really played in our lives over the past ten years.In the beginning, she gave me warmth and a sense of belonging. She also gave me Zoe. Beyond that, there was nothing but coldness and disappointment.Madison never offered a single word of comfort when I was exhausted and overwhelmed. She neve

The pregnant woman fell down about 13 steps and went into shock.Terrified, Andrew called 911, then ordered Grace to take Simon somewhere and hide him. He told them not to come back or show their faces under any circumstances.I sighed, pulled out my phone, and called Vanessa. After briefly explaining what had happened, I asked her to keep an eye on Zoe because I might not make it home that night.Vanessa agreed without hesitation and told me to take care of whatever I needed to without worrying about Zoe.A wave of gratitude washed over me, and I thanked her sincerely.-Every minute we spent waiting outside the operating room felt unbearable. The pregnant woman's mother tried several times to lunge at Andrew, but the others held her back. Eventually, she collapsed into a chair, wiping away her tears as she cursed him."Why did you insist on having another child at your age? If you were going to have him, then you should've raised him properly! You should've taught him right