AN BE

e music eventually died down, the guests thinned out, their whispers fading into the night. My body, exhausted

he order. "Take her down." His voice

amed in protest, my abdomen a burning fire. I tried to push myself up, but my body refused, co

made your bed. Now lie in it. And don't think for a second I'm not going to make you pay for the scene you caused tonight." His ey

noyance. "Mom, why do you always have to cause trouble? First at home, now here. Kallie was so upset." He shook his head,

ic, reflecting their cruelty back at me. I looked at the trio-Cristian, Kallie, and Kasen-standing

or a moment, then straightened, refusing to collapse again. My eyes found the crumpled divorce pape

y divided the assets. Fairly. I don't want a penny more than what's legally mine. No fight.

cold eyes. He hadn't expected this quiet determination, thi

for my school? Kallie says you don't even have a job." His innocent questions, poisoned by Kallie's insidious

bedtime stories, patching up scraped knees. The years I poured into him, the sacrifices I made for his happiness,

ght, Kasen," I said, my voice devoid of emotion. "You can have your

n front of Kasen. Get out of here. We'll talk about this tomorrow, when you've

wn, Cristian. And I'm not going anywhere

ith me. I'm willing to forgive your little tantrum and your... unfortunate choices. Now, let's go." He spoke

say. My silence was my only weapon now,

as ajar. And then I saw her. Kallie. Her bags were unpacked, her clothes already mingling with Cri

ing his arms around her. "Kallie, are you okay? Mom was s

smile on her face. "I'm okay, sweeti

words were an arrow, piercing the last fragile threads of my hope. He preferred the insta