Chapter 2

2

As if afraid I would keep pestering him, Archer pulled a stack of books from his backpack. He looked so serious and focused.

"Auntie Mina, come here and help me," he demanded.

He had a little scowl on his face that I used to find adorable. I couldn't help but try one last time to reach him.

"Archer, I'm a teacher. I can help you with your homework," I offered, sitting down beside him.

He jumped as if I were a leper. He scrambled behind Mina, using her as a shield.

"Mommy, I don't have time for your games. Can you stop being so selfish? I need to study."

"Daddy was right. You just have too much free time on your hands," he added.

Mina gave me an apologetic look, then knelt down to soothe him. She was playing the part of the peacemaker perfectly.

"Sweetie, don't be rude to your mother. She rarely has time for you. She's a professional, so she's probably better at this than I am. Go on."

She made a show of trying to nudge him toward me. But the boy in his little navy suit exploded with rage.

He grabbed a piece of fruit from the table and threw it at me. It hit my shoulder with a dull thud.

"Get out! I don't want you! I only want Auntie Mina! Why can't you understand English? Why do you have to come back and ruin our happiness?"

I froze, my foot still hovering in mid-air. Archer began to sob hysterically.

"Daddy! I don't want Mommy here! I want Auntie Mina! Daddy!"

His tears hit the floor like heavy rain. I pulled back instantly, forcing a smile through the bitterness in my throat.

"Okay. Mommy won't come near you. Let Auntie Mina stay with you."

In the short time I had left, I didn't want to make him angry. No matter how much he hated me, he was still my flesh and blood.

"I'm so sorry, Hattie. He's just so attached to me," Mina said, looking remorseful. I just shook my head.

"It's fine. You're doing it for the kid."

What right did I have to blame her? My own son didn't want me. If I said another word, he would only cry harder.

"Hattie, if you're that bored, go for a walk. Don't come home just to upset our son."

My husband, Kaden, walked into the room and gave me a look of pure disgust.

"Mina is the one who actually raises him. No wonder he doesn't want anything to do with you."

He walked past me, intentionally slamming his shoulder into mine. The impact sent a jolt of pain through my body.

"Ow," I gasped, a cold sweat breaking out on my forehead.

My shoulder was already badly bruised from the day before. Archer had pushed me during the field day because I showed up uninvited.

I had fallen against some playground equipment, leaving a massive purple mark. Kaden knew about the injury, but he hit me there anyway.

It was loud and clear. No one in this house wanted me here.

I lowered my head and walked into the guest room, laughing silently at the absurdity of it all.

"Yay! Daddy chased the bad lady away! I hate her so much. She's so annoying, and all the kids at school laugh at me because of her!"

Archer's cheer of victory echoed through the hallway. Kaden laughed along with him.

"That's my boy. If you don't like her, we'll just let Auntie Mina stay with us forever, okay?"

"Even for the school plays?" Archer asked innocently.

His words felt like a knife twisting in my chest. But at the same time, I felt a strange sense of relief.

I was glad he wasn't attached to me. I was glad he had found someone else to rely on. It meant my leaving wouldn't actually hurt him.

Later that afternoon, I was drifting in a light sleep when Archer burst in. He slapped me across the face to wake me up.

"Mommy, get up now!"

I rubbed my blurry eyes, feeling the sting on my cheek.

"Archer Miller," I began, my teacher instincts wanting to scold his lack of manners. But then I remembered I was leaving tomorrow.

"What is it, sweetie?" I asked softly instead.