Drones filled the night sky, shifting and
glowing until they formed Sarah’s face.
Below it, glowing in neon, “Happy Birthday,
Sarah!”
“That’s so romantic! I wish someone would do
that for me.”
“That must have cost millions! He’s really
going all out for his secretary.”
“I heard Mark made sure they had the best
equipment, the top crew. Whatever it took to
make Sarah happy.”
“He must be head over heels!”
く
Everyone sounded so impressed.
The window reflected my face back at me,
blank.
Mark had never acknowledged me in public.
He’d never taken Mikey anywhere.
He’d never planned anything for my birthday,
ever.
As far as he was concerned, Mikey and I were
invisible, living outside of his real life.
What was I, what were we, to him?
The drones kept dancing, their light shining
on the happy faces below.
<
I was the only one who didn’t belong.
I ignored my family and married Mark. He had
nothing.
I helped him build his business, working day
and night.
I gave up my job, and poured my savings into
his dream.
I never complained because he promised me,
“I’ll take care of you forever.”
When Mikey was born, Mark was overjoyed.
He cradled him, whispering, “I’m going to give
you everything, I promise.”
Life was hard back then, but we were happy.
く
I thought it would always be like that.
But people change.
As Mark’s company grew, he changed with it.
He stopped asking for my opinion. He said he
was protecting me and didn’t want me to
work so hard.
He gave the business to professional
managers. I was pushed aside, I was a
housewife who could not pay her own bills.
I knew I had to accept it, but I believed that
he still loved me, he wanted me to be happy.
Then he hired Sarah.
く
Mark started spacing out. He was distracted.
He kept saying Sarah’s name.
Then he started coming home late, or not at
all. He stopped paying attention to Mikey and
- me.
He put us on a budget, restricting our
spending.
When Mikey got sick, he blocked my calls.
Looking at the two–dollar balance in my bank
account, I broke down and asked my parents
for help.
I never thought he would use that money for
Sarah.
con died because of his cold boart
<
My son died because of his cold heart.
That drone show was a million times more
than Mikey’s medical bills.
His own son wasn’t worth Sarah’s smile.
This marriage has been a waste.
- 3.
My phone buzzed. It was my friend Jane. We
haven’t talked in a long time.
“Honey, are you okay? Mom called me
yesterday saying she needed to borrow
money so Mikey could see a doctor.”
“Is she getting senile? Her daughter is
married to a CEO.”
<
Attached was a screenshot of their
conversation.
I looked at Mom’s concern and humility.
$23,546.65. Tears ran down my face.
They had given me everything, afraid it wasn’t
enough.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and texted
her back.
“It’s okay, I’ll pay you back soon.”
I dialed my mother’s number, my hands
shaking.
“Honey, what’s wrong? How’s Mikey?”
<
Her voice cracked, and I fell apart.
I swallowed and whispered, “It’s okay, mom,
how are you doing?”
“We are well. Do not worry about us. How’s
Mikey?”
“He’s good. Can eat, sleep, and runs around
like crazy.”
I felt the pain in my chest as I lied.
I could not tell her that Mikey was no longer
with us.
“Take care of yourselves. I’ll come to see you
soon.”
I hung up and sobbed
<
I hung up and sobbed.
My parents gave all their savings, but it was
not enough to save Mikey.
That money went to Sarah.
I owe my parents so much.
I wiped my tears and called a lawyer.
“Hey, I need to talk about a divorce. I also
need to know my rights.”
I’ve taken too much over the years. So has my
family.
Now, I am taking back what is mine.
- 4.
<
Then I went home and started packing my
bags.
Mark came home.
“What are you doing?”
He walked over to the sofa, expecting me to
fetch his drink.
I ignored him and kept packing.
He grabbed my clothes and raised his voice.
“Are you deaf? I asked you a question!”
Ignoring his tantrums, I looked at him and
said,
“Mark, I want a divorce.”
<
Chapter 2
Mark stared at me, then laughed, a nasty
sound.
“What is it this time, Mia? I’m beat.”
I kept my voice steady.
“Yeah, all that partying for Sarah’s birthday. I
bet you are.”
“I’ll have my lawyer draw up the papers. Be
ready to sign.”
I grabbed my clothes and started packing
again.
His face changed. I could see the anger in his
eyes.
<
“Mia, I told you, Sarah’s just my secretary.
You’re being ridiculous!”
“I came home because of Mikey. He misses
me.”
“I’ll tell him that you ruined everything.”
He stormed out, slamming the door. He didn’t
even notice that Mikey wasn’t home.
- 5.
I finished packing, found an apartment online,
and moved out.
A week went by. No word from Mark.
I couldn’t reach him by phone. I couldn’t send
く
I decided to go to his office.
In all the years we’d been married, I’d never
set foot in Henderson Industries.
I walked up to the front desk and was
immediately stopped.
“I’m sorry, you need an appointment.”
The receptionist was all smiles and robotic
politeness.
“I’m Mark Henderson’s wife.”
Her smile disappeared. She looked me up and
down, a sneer on her face.
“Mr. Henderson is very busy. An appointmen
<
“MMr. Henderson is very busy. An appointment
will be necessary.”
She paused.
