Chapter 3

David froze, his brow furrowing.

“Sarah… what are you saying? Divorce?”

I said nothing.

Just then, Anson ran out of the bedroom, standing beside David, pointing at me with a frown.

“Dad! Divorce this bad woman! I want to be with Mom!”

“Bad woman! She’s not my mom!”

Every word stabbed at my heart. This was my child—my flesh and blood.

David looked down at Anson and patted his head.

“Okay… okay. I promise you.”

Xena’s face fell as tears ran down her cheeks.

“David… are you really going to marry me?”

He stood, eyes shining with love for Xena, and kissed her gently.

“Of course. I wouldn’t lie to you in front of our son.”

And just like that, everything became clear. Every sweet word he had whispered to me over the past two years—lies. All lies.

Anson danced beside them, cheering, “Yay! I have a mom and dad!”

If he didn’t recognize me as his mother, why should I stay?

I straightened up, drew a deep breath, and said firmly,

“Fine. Then I wish you happiness.”

I turned and walked out.

David chased after me, blocking my path.

“What game are you playing now?” he demanded. “A good father thinks of the child first!”

“I never wanted to marry Xena. I only agreed to keep him safe,” I said. “I didn’t really want this.”

“You’re so petty,” he snapped. “You’re upset over two words?”

I smiled faintly and pushed him aside.

“Since you don’t want a divorce, can I leave?”

I strode forward. David pointed at me, furious.

“If you step outside this house, you’re no longer my wife!”

Xena rushed out after me, worried.

“Sarah… do you really think she’ll leave him?”

“Hah. As if. Everything I fed him for two years went to waste? He’s loyal, of course he’ll stay.”

Her words cut deep. I should have seen him for who he really was sooner.

I found a hotel and checked in—no one to disturb me.

The next morning, a knock on the door woke me.

It was Anson, holding a bouquet of flowers.

“Mom… don’t be angry. Can you forgive Dad? Come home with us.”

Tears pricked my eyes. He called me Mom.

I knelt and hugged him tightly.

“Anson… you remember! Let’s go somewhere far from here, just the two of us.”

But before I could move him, he pushed me away. The flowers fell to the floor.

“I told you, you’re a bad woman! My real mom just wanted me to say nice things, not leave with you!”

Xena stepped forward, shielding him.

“Sarah… Anson doesn’t recognize you anymore. He’s mine now. Maybe if you beg, I’ll let you see him for a few days.”

I clenched my fists, fury boiling inside me. I pushed her away, sending her crashing to the floor.

Her scream pierced the room.

“Sarah! What are you doing?!”