Chapter 2

2

The anxiety I had been suppressing finally won. I picked up his phone.

He hadn't changed his passcode.

But the lock screen, which used to be a photo of our family, was now a cartoon of a woman and a little girl holding hands.

My heart began to race. Every suspicion I'd ever had came rushing back.

My hands were shaking so hard I could barely tap the screen.

Their chat history looked normal at first glance.

Sienna reported on the gala and gave him fashion advice.

She really was helping him build connections for his career.

But then I saw the photo she sent right after telling him to hurry up.

"Get here fast. I've almost got Mr. Henderson drunk enough to sign. Just need you for the final blow."

Below that was a mirror selfie she took in the bathroom.

She was wearing a conservative suit, but her cheeks were flushed from wine, and her top buttons were undone.

"On my way," Quinton had replied.

I could feel his desperation in those three words.

He had sent that text at the exact same time he was 'sweet-talking' me into staying.

"Ha..."

A bitter laugh escaped my throat.

I wasn't sure if I was laughing at his lies or my own stupidity for believing him.

The next morning, I was woken up by a child's screaming.

I realized Zachary wasn't in bed next to me.

I ran into the living room and saw my son kneeling in the corner.

There were red handprints on his face.

On the other side of the room, Quinton was holding Sienna's daughter, Raina.

He was being more gentle with her than I had ever seen him be with our own son.

When he saw me, he glared and barked at me.

"Is this how you raise our son? He has zero manners! He stays on his knees for twelve hours. Don't let him up!"

I rushed over and pulled Zachary into my arms.

His eyes were bloodshot, and tears were clinging to his lashes.

His tiny hands gripped my shirt. "Mommy, I didn't do it. I didn't do anything wrong."

"She broke my Lego set on purpose. She called me a brat and said she was going to kick us out of our house!"

"Zachary! Are you lying now too?" Quinton shouted.

"Raina just wanted to see your Legos. You're making up lies to bully her? I'm going to teach you a lesson you'll never forget."

He grabbed Zachary's arm to drag him toward the bathroom.

"Waaaah!" Raina started wailing again.

"I'm sorry, Uncle Quinton. I'm sorry, Zachary. It's my fault. I'm clumsy and I broke it."

"I was just jealous because Zachary has such a great daddy. I'm a bad girl. Nobody wants me."

She sobbed hysterically, and Quinton immediately softened.

"Oh, sweetie, don't cry. You're my little angel."

He looked at her with pure love, a look he never gave Zachary.

"Don't be scared. You aren't unwanted. I'll be your daddy from now on. If anyone picks on you, I'll deal with them."

He shot a hateful look at me and my son.

"Mr. Miller, Faline, I am so sorry. I shouldn't have let her out of my sight," Sienna said.

I turned around. Sienna was walking out of our master bedroom.

Our bed was clearly ruffled, as if three people had been sleeping in it.

"Faline, please don't be mad. The gala ended so late, and Quinton was worried about us, so he brought us here."

"Don't fight with him because of me. We'll leave right now."

She was talking to me, but her eyes were locked on Quinton.

"You're not going anywhere. Where would you go? Back to your abusive ex?" Quinton snapped.

"Faline, I'll let your son off the hook today for Sienna's sake. Instead of glaring at her, maybe teach your kid some respect."

He picked up Raina, put his arm around Sienna, and walked out the door.

In the living room, Zachary was trying to put his shattered Lego set back together.

It was a birthday gift for Quinton.

Zachary had spent a month on it, even cutting his fingers on the sharp pieces.

I had told him to just buy a pre-made gift, but he insisted on making something special for his dad.

Now, it was just a pile of plastic scrap on the floor.

"I can't fix it..." Zachary sobbed, throwing himself into my arms.

"Mommy, does Daddy hate us? Is it because I wasn't good enough? I just wanted to give him a present."

My heart broke. I squeezed my eyes shut and gripped my phone.

The hidden folder on Quinton's phone was full of photos.

He was so arrogant he didn't even think I'd look.

I found out how Sienna went from a receptionist to his personal assistant so quickly.

I found out why she divorced her husband right after getting the promotion.

They had been together for a long time.

Maybe it started during all those 'late nights' at the office.

Maybe it was the night Zachary had a high fever and Quinton wouldn't answer his phone.

My hands shook as I scrolled through the evidence of their betrayal.

We were college sweethearts. I never thought we'd end up here.

I opened Quinton's company group chat.

Sienna had just posted a work update. Her profile picture was the same one on Quinton's lock screen.

I didn't hesitate. I selected every intimate photo of them and hit 'send' to the entire office.

I was done. I just wanted my life back.