Chapter 3

When I pushed open the mansion door, Seraphina was in the midst of declaring her feelings for Blake, cheered on by a chorus of cheers and playful taunts.

“Seraphina, is this watch a multi-million dollar collectible? You’re really giving it to Blake?”

Seraphina giggled. “Blake is a tech guru; a luxury watch like this belongs on a wrist like his. Should I give it to my deadbeat husband, the one who just unclogs drains?”

There was a decorative screen between the living room and the entrance, so they assumed I wouldn’t notice, freely indulging in their mockery.

Seraphina had even considerately ordered a custom-made, diamond-accented matching watch for Blake’s son, Caleb.

“Our Caleb should never, ever feel second best to anyone, even as a child.”

Leo quietly hid the pretend smartwatch he’d drawn on his wrist with a ballpoint pen.

He must have been so confused. Why was *he* scolded for being vain just for wanting a ten-dollar toy smartwatch, while she could cradle another child and say that kids deserved the best?

The laughter inside continued.

“Seraphina, your wedding to Blake is in two days! How did you tell that good-for-nothing husband about the divorce?”

“Let me guess… They mimicked her voice, all dramatic and tearful: ‘Darling, I’m nothing but a burden now, a cripple. I don’t want to hold you back, you’re the most precious person in my life. Let’s get a divorce.’”

“Then he’d be on his knees, tearfully swearing eternal devotion, right up until his dying breath. Ha!”

They found it all so amusing that even the nanny beside me couldn’t help but snicker. But I couldn’t crack a smile.

Because Seraphina had *really* said those exact words. I had believed her, moved beyond words, and swore I’d never leave her, for this life or any other.

I didn’t overturn Seraphina’s table right then. The owner of the plumbing service had been good to me; I couldn’t cause trouble for innocent people while on the job.

After finishing the agreed-upon drain work, I took Leo and left. But the nanny haughtily stepped in my way.

“My lady is so generous,” the nanny sneered, “She told me to *offer* this piece of cake to your son.”

“A child from *his* background wouldn't get to taste something like this in a lifetime. Go on, thank my lady and her little master!”

The cake was a mess, cream smeared, with obvious bite marks from someone else. Seraphina actually wanted my son to eat someone else’s leftovers and then expected us to be grateful.

I ignored the nanny and walked straight out of the mansion with Leo.

“Dad, am I really so annoying? Even Mom doesn’t like me.”

Leo’s voice was barely a whisper. It felt like a blunt knife had just plunged into my chest. I pulled him into my arms.

“Nonsense, Leo! You are the most wonderful boy in the world. One person's opinion doesn't define who you are. It doesn't make it true.”

His voice was thick with tears. “But I love Mom so much. I want Mom to love me too.”

I held Leo tightly, the last vestiges of love for Seraphina vanishing from my heart.

Seraphina arrived home a step later than us. She sat panting in her wheelchair, clutching two cheap, artificially colored juice boxes.

“Leo, Dad, you must be exhausted from work. I specifically went out to buy these for you. Leo, you’ve always wanted something sweet, haven’t you?”

Seeing my sullen face, she put on a pouty, girlish charm.

“Darling, I know you worry about me going out alone, but I just wanted to do something for our family too.”

She gave gourmet cake to *another* woman’s son, but my son had to rely on her charity just to get a sugary juice box.

“Ms. Seraphina,” I cut her off directly, “Don’t you think these words are incredibly fake?”