Chapter 3

3

My phone rang again. It was Evelyn. The background was a cacophony of screams and grinding metal.

"Help us! Did you get a hold of Gideon yet?"

"I did, Evelyn. He's not coming. He thinks I'm lying," I said coldly.

A string of curses erupted from the other end. "You useless bitch! I told him not to marry a career-obsessed woman like you! You can't even handle a simple rescue!"

Then, Noah's voice piped up, sharp and cruel. "Mom, you're so stupid! If Lydia were here, she'd make Dad come save us in a second!"

My eyes stung, and tears began to fall. This was the family I had slaved away for. A husband who worshipped his first love, a mother-in-law who despised me, and a son who saw another woman as his real mother.

Evelyn always preferred the domestic, submissive type like Lydia.

I was a high-level executive at a media firm. I worked hard to provide for them, while Lydia stayed home and played the victim.

For years, I paid for the house, the cars, and every single bill. I gave them a luxury life, and in return, I got nothing but contempt.

I had tried so hard to keep the family together. When Evelyn was bedridden, I took a leave of absence to clean her and feed her.

Just when she started acting human, Lydia appeared with her son. Evelyn rented an apartment for them nearby and had them over for dinner every night using my groceries.

Noah had been bought off with junk food and toys by Lydia. He started calling her 'Mom' and addressed me by my first name.

Gideon even emptied our savings to help Lydia buy a house. "Elara, don't be selfish. I owe her this. As my wife, you should help me repay my debt."

I had endured it all for the sake of my son and the memories of the first three years of our marriage. I never thought my patience would lead to my death.

Suddenly, a rock struck my forehead. Warm blood trickled down my face.

A group of frantic relatives had arrived at the scene. They were throwing whatever they could find at me.

"My mother called me from that bus! She said your husband is the rescue captain! Why isn't he here?"

"If my family dies because he's playing hooky, I'll make sure your whole family pays!"

I wiped the blood from my eyes and climbed back into my car. I tried to start a video call with Gideon.

He declined it instantly and sent a text: "Stop these stunts! I'm filing for divorce the moment I get home!"

Then, he blocked me. I tried his teammates and Lydia. Every single one of them had blocked my number.

I tried calling Evelyn back, but her phone was dead. It seemed fate was finally collecting its due.