Chapter 3

When Leo was ten, my husband again took him out behind my back.

When they returned, Leo's arms were covered in needle marks, and he was completely out of it.

"Julian, what happened to our son?"

"Just a cold. Too many anti-inflammatories, an allergic reaction. He'll be fine in a bit."

Julian said it nonchalantly, completely unconcerned about Leo's state.

I asked him, "Are you sure he's okay?"

"I said he's fine, so he's fine! Do *you* know more than me? Asking, asking, always asking!"

"Instead of asking, why don't you cook me two dishes and pour me a beer? Can't you see I'm half-dead from exhaustion today?" My husband was utterly impatient.

Seeing his expression, I knew.

This drug sensitivity trial had failed again.

I’d lost count of how many failures there had been.

Every time he went to the lab for a trial, Leo would come back sick for a long time afterward.

He still believed it was his own fault.

That day was Caleb's birthday.

Skylar came again with Caleb.

Caleb was healthy and vibrant, while Leo lay in bed, looking like a ghost.

"Skylar's here! Darling, go cook a feast for our guest. Don't you dare be rude," Julian ordered.

"Okay," I said.

"Thank you, Serena! Julian, why are you so good to me today?" Skylar playfully responded.

"When am I *not* good to you?" My husband lowered his head, not looking at her.

I went into the kitchen to cook but kept an ear on their conversation.

"Julian, how's it going today? Is there any hope?"

It was Skylar's voice, deliberately lowered.

"No. Time is running out. We have to push forward," Julian said.

"It's okay, then let's just cherish what we have now." Skylar's voice suddenly became soft and seductive.

"Skylar, don't. Serena's still home," Julian said.

"So what if she's home? She and her useless son will be out of here soon enough. This will be *my* home."

I walked into the living room, only to see Skylar holding my husband's face, kissing him passionately.

My husband’s expression was grim, but he didn't resist.

"Serena, what's wrong? Can't you handle seeing this? We do this all the time." Skylar said it bluntly, without a hint of shame.

"Serena, don't be so petty. Look how hard I've worked, raising a child alone all these years."

"We're best friends. Isn't sharing a husband perfectly normal?" Skylar said.

Caleb emerged from Leo's room. Julian quickly pulled away from Skylar, grabbing a gift for Caleb.

It was a pair of expensive, exquisite running shoes.

"Caleb, you need to exercise well and grow up strong," Julian said, his voice full of doting affection.

"Thank you, Uncle Julian!"

"Oh, Julian, you're so good to our Caleb, just like a real father." Skylar giggled.

I glanced at Leo's shoes by the door. They were so worn out, the soles were torn, and his toes poked through.

They were Caleb's old, worn-out shoes from two years ago.

I wanted to buy Leo a new pair.

But all the money in the house was in my husband’s hands.

My husband had said, "Leo is worthless trash, a bastard. He doesn’t deserve new shoes."

Then he looked at me, his eyes complex.

I didn't understand what he meant.