Chapter 3

Marcus stepped between Leo and me, trying to mediate.

"Leo is sick, so don't make him feel worse."

He reached for my back, guiding me out of the room.

"Just go back to your lab. Tiffany's got this. You don't need to worry."

My stomach churned with disgust. I shoved Marcus's arm away.

"Don't touch me!"

Leo, startled by my outburst, burst into tears.

Tiffany, feigning concern, said, "Eleanor, you scared Leo. If you're angry, take it out on me, not him. The child is innocent, okay? Don't hurt him."

I had only one thought, one obsession. I stared at the crying Leo and asked him,

"Did you just call her Mommy?"

I thought, if he said he wouldn't call Tiffany "Mommy," I would forgive him, and I would take him with me when I divorced.

But what I heard was Leo crying and accusing me.

"You're my mom, but Tiffany is my mom too! I like her, she's good to me, she takes care of me, she teaches me piano. You're nothing like her, you only care about your experiments. She's just better than you!"

The words hit me like a lightning bolt, and tears streamed down my face, uncontrolled.

Marcus dragged me outside, scolding, "Why are you taking your anger out on our son! You don't need to worry about anything here. Go back to your lab!"

With that, he turned and went back into the hospital room, locking the door to prevent me from going back in and making a scene.

That night, Evelyn Thorne, my mother-in-law, came to talk to me.

"Eleanor, you're a good woman. I've always respected you."

She took my hand, patting it gently, her voice softening.

"Men, they all stray a little, don't they? Tiffany can help you with Marcus, and with Leo too."

"Honestly, if you just relax a little, you'll see this is a blessing in disguise."

"You won't have to 'serve' your husband, or bother with your son. You can just focus on your experiments. Isn't that ideal?"

My heart was colder than ice, devoid of any emotion. I quietly pulled my hand away.

"Yes, I won't interfere with them anymore."

Evelyn's eyes lit up with delight, thinking she had convinced me. She smiled again.

"Then I'll have the staff prepare the bedroom right next to yours for Tiffany. That way, she can live at home, make it easier for Leo to learn piano, and help you take care of them both."

Seeing my silence, Evelyn assumed I agreed.

She clapped my back, beaming. "I knew it! I said you were a sensible, good woman!"

Delighted, she immediately told the housekeeper to clean the bedroom next to mine.

She didn't hesitate to call Tiffany.

"Tiffany, you can move in tonight. The room's all ready. Move in early so you can keep me company shopping and keep me entertained!"