Chapter 2

2

As if afraid I'd keep pestering him, Toby pulled a stack of books out of his backpack.

"Auntie Mara, come here."

He had a serious little face. I thought it was adorable and couldn't help trying to reach out again.

"Toby, Mommy can help you with your homework."

I sat down next to him, but he jumped like I was a plague. He hid right behind Mara.

"Mommy, I don't have time for your games. Stop being so selfish. I need to study."

"Daddy's right. You're just bored because you have nothing better to do."

Mara gave me an apologetic smile and knelt down to comfort him.

"Sweetie, don't be rude to your mom. She finally has time for you. She's a professional teacher, she'll be way better at this than me. Go on."

She tried to nudge Toby toward me.

The little boy, dressed in his cute little vest, flipped out. He grabbed an apple from the table and threw it at me.

"Get out! I don't want you! I only want Auntie Mara! Why don't you listen? Why did you come back to ruin our happiness?"

I froze. Toby started crying even harder.

"Daddy! I don't want Mommy! I want Auntie Mara! Daddy!"

Huge tears rolled down his cheeks. I stepped back, forcing a smile through the bitterness.

"Okay. Mommy will stay away. Let Auntie Mara help you."

In my final hours here, I didn't want to make him angry.

No matter how much he hated me, he was still my baby.

"I'm so sorry, Aria. He's just really attached to me lately," Mara said, looking guilty.

I shook my head. "It's fine. You're just doing what's best for him."

What right did I have to blame her? My own son didn't want to be near me.

Besides, if I said another word, he'd just start wailing again.

"Aria, if you're that bored, go take a walk. Stop coming home just to upset our son. I don't know how you can be such a bad parent."

Caleb walked out, looking at me with total disgust.

"Mara is the one who actually takes care of him. No wonder he doesn't want you around."

He purposely brushed past me, slamming his shoulder hard into mine.

"Ugh."

I let out a sharp gasp. Cold sweat broke out on my forehead.

My shoulder was already bruised from the day before. Toby had pushed me then, too.

I had shown up at his school event uninvited. He was so embarrassed that he shoved me into some playground equipment.

Caleb knew about the bruise, but he hit it on purpose anyway.

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

I walked into the guest room, laughing silently at the misery of it all.

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

I heard Toby's victory cheer, followed by Caleb's laughter.

"Good boy. If you don't like her, Auntie Mara can stay with us forever, okay?"

"Can she come to the next school party too?"

Toby's innocent voice felt like a knife in my heart. But strangely, I felt a sense of relief.

I was glad he wasn't attached to me. I was glad he found a new person to lean on.

That meant my leaving wouldn't hurt him at all.

That afternoon, I was drifting in and out of sleep when Toby walked in. He slapped my face hard to wake me up.

"Mommy, get up!"

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

"Toby." As a teacher, I should have scolded him for being disrespectful.

But knowing I was leaving soon, I softened my tone. "Sweetie, what is it?"