When I woke up, Mark was gently wiping my
body with a towel.
The nurses next door cooed enviously.
“Mr. Lewis is such a devoted husband! He’s
been taking care of his wife personally for six
months, never letting anyone else do it. What
a catch!”
L
“She must have done something amazing in a
past life. I’m so jealous of her.”
Their words were a cruel joke. His supposed
devotion was for his first love.
And their envy? If only they knew. Mark had
drowned our son and put me in a coma,
doubt they’d be so envious.
I opened my eyes, met Mark’s relieved gaze,
and said only one thing.
“I want to hold a funeral for Ethan.”
く
Mark couldn’t refuse.
At the funeral, I brought Ethan’s favorite
cookies.
From a distance, I saw two figures in bright
red, flitting around.
Sarah and her son, Jason.
They were by my mother–in–law, making her
laugh.
“I knew there was something special about
Jason the moment I saw him. What a
coincidence. Sarah, you’re such a good
<
mother, unlike that… unlike that little… who
could barely string a sentence together!”
My mother–in–law’s voice was dripping with
disdain.
Hearing her call my son worthless, I saw red.
She’d never liked me, thinking an orphan like
me wasn’t good enough for Mark.
I’d walked on eggshells around her,
constantly trying to please her.
I even gave up my diving career because she
claimed working underwater would make me
infertile.
<
None of it had mattered.
And now, she was insulting my child.
Tears streamed down my face.
“Ethan wasn’t worthless! He was the
sweetest boy. Every time we visited, he would
draw you pictures, and he’d even give you
back rubs when you weren’t feeling well.
What did he ever do wrong?!”
My mother–in–law was taken aback.
Then, Jason shouted, “Grandma, I can do all
those things too! And I’ll make lots of money
く
so I can buy you lots of jewelry! So you can
wear gold and diamonds!”
My mother–in–law beamed.
“Oh, Jason, you’re so precious! Grandma is
દ
lucky to have you!”
They giggled together as Sarah smirked at
- me.
“Sorry, Mrs. Lewis. Some children are just
more lovable than others.”
I didn’t want to argue.
<
Mark came up and put his arm around me,
whispering in my ear, “Amy, Jason seems like
a good kid. Why don’t we make him our
godson? We can groom him to take over the
company.”
Looking at Mark’s phony concern, I couldn’t
help but laugh.
He’d already changed the beneficiary to
Jason. Why the charade?
“Whatever you want,” I said flatly.
Mark, oblivious to my emotions, squeezed my
hand.
く
“Don’t worry, Amy. No matter who inherits.
the company, you’ll always be my only wife.”
I felt nothing. I didn’t want to be his wife
anymore.
Halfway through the funeral, Sarah said she
was cold and insisted Mark go to the car with
her to get a jacket.
Before leaving, Mark looked at me
questioningly.
I didn’t even glance at him.
knelt by Ethan’s grave burning paper money
1
<
Tor nim, noping nе a пna good parents in nis
next life and never have to come back to me.
“Eww! My mommy says you’re a bastard and
you deserved to die!”
Five–year–old Jason ran up and stomped out
the flames, then threw rocks at Ethan’s
tombstone.
It toppled over.
Furious, I lunged for him, but he stuck his
tongue out and ran away.
1
<
“Old hag, try and catch me!”
I didn’t catch him, but I heard noises from a
nearby car.
“Sarah, this is Ethan’s funeral. We can’t…”
I stopped dead in my tracks.
That was Mark’s voice.
From inside the car, I heard Sarah’s soft
moans.
“But ever since my divorce I haven’t… Mark,
<
I’ve missed you so much.”
The voices faded, replaced by the rhythmic
shaking of the car.
I stumbled back, covering my mouth,
nauseous.
