Chapter 3

3.

Elena spent an entire week in the hospital before the allergic reaction fully cleared.

Every day of that week, she watched Olivia's Instagram updates. The "trouble" Asher mentioned? Olivia's new rental had lost power and water. The two of them helped her find a new luxury apartment. They toured every high-end furniture store in Greenwich. Together, piece by piece, they turned an empty room into a warm, modern minimalist home.

The day she was discharged, Asher and Knox finally appeared after being absent all week.

She had already finished the paperwork herself. Asher's cold face showed a rare flicker of guilt. "Sorry I haven't been around. My friend just moved back to the East Coast. She doesn't know anyone here. I'm the only person she can call."

Apologies from Asher were rare. Before, Elena would have been quick to say it didn't matter.

This time, she just opened the door of the black Escalade. "I know. Let's go home."

Asher looked at her. Was she angry? He dismissed the thought. Six years of marriage, and Elena had always been gentle and understanding. She never threw tantrums. He was probably overthinking.

Elena kept her eyes shut the entire ride. But she could feel a hot stare on her. She opened her eyes. Knox was looking right at her.

He spoke carefully. "Mom, is your allergy all better now?"

"Yes."

The car pulled up to the colonial mansion. Elena got out. Two steps away, she heard a low mutter behind her. "So does that mean Livvy still can't be my mom..."

Elena stopped walking. She didn't cry. She just fully accepted the failure of five years of parenting in that single moment. She felt like an idiot who'd invested everything for five years and gotten nothing back.

This was the child she'd carried for ten months and raised for five years. He nearly killed her. And instead of fear or guilt, he was disappointed he hadn't succeeded in clearing the obstacle for his Livvy.

What a joke.

She swallowed the ache in her chest and headed straight to the master bedroom. Knox, your wish is about to come true.

That night, Elena lay in the California king bed. The spot beside her was ice-cold. Asher often worked late in his home office. They barely spoke before sleep. She was used to it.

Just as she was drifting off, a pair of hands pulled her into a warm embrace. Hot breath fanned across her neck, sending a shiver down her spine. She forced her eyes open. And spotted a single blonde, curled strand of hair on the collar of Asher's custom shirt.

She had worn dark brown, straight hair her entire life.

A sudden wave of nausea surged up her throat. She bolted upright and ran to the bathroom. She dry-heaved over the sink. Nothing came out. She gripped the counter, staring at her pale face in the mirror.

Asher was wide awake now. He frowned. "What's wrong with you?"

Elena almost laughed. He had another woman in his heart. Who was this concerned act for?

"Nothing. Go back to sleep."

Asher didn't understand. "What are you talking about?"

She let out a soft laugh. She couldn't face his hypocrisy. She turned her back to him and lay down. He lost all interest. The door clicked shut behind him.

Elena kept her eyes closed.

The next morning, her lawyer sent the divorce agreement.

*Ms. Moreno, the documents have been drafted per your instructions.*

*Thank you.*

Just as she sent the reply, Knox came downstairs. "Mom, my birthday party has to be really big this year. I'm inviting someone super important."

Knox's sixth birthday. Almost here.

She lowered her eyes. A long pause. "Okay."

This would be the last birthday she spent with him.

Knox got his answer and left for private school. Once he was gone, Elena opened the airline app and bought a one-way ticket. The departure time: three days from now. The night of Knox's birthday.