Chapter 6
“Besides,” he added, voice thick with resentment, “three years ago, your mom was already in poor health. She faked her illness more than once for attention. How was I supposed to know this time was real? Don’t be
- 50.
I never imagined someone could be so shameless. I laughed bitterly, yanking my arm free. “Get out.”
I pushed open the hospital door, only to find Louise standing there, draped in a hospital gown and wearing a pale, sickly expression. She looked past me and straight to Adam, collapsing onto her knees in some theatrical display of weakness.
All I could see was my mom’s face before she died. The rage boiling inside me was so fierce that I didn’t even think–I stormed over and grabbed Louise by her hair, dragging her out of the doorway. “You like to kneel so much, Louise? Fine. Let me
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help you do it right.”
She screamed in terror. “Adam, help me, please!”
“Claire, what are you doing? Let her go!” Adam rushed forward and yanked me back, his face a mask of fury. “She‘ s innocent, Claire! If you‘ re angry, take it out on me, not her!”
Louise pressed herself into Adam’s arms, her voice trembling. “Claire, please…I‘ m sorry. I didn’t mean for any of this. It’s my fault for being weak and a burden. Please, don’t be angry with Adam because of me.”
Though her words sounded contrite, her eyes glimmered with smug triumph, a taunt just for me.
There was a time when her manipulation might have crushed me. Now, it only fueled my disgust. “Louise, you’d be better off trying to convince Adam to sign the divorce papers, or else you’ll be a mistress for the
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rest of your life.”
“Claire!” Adam shouted, his voice filled. with warning. “Louise and I are just like family! There’s nothing else between us! And if you think I’m going to agree to a divorce over this, you‘ re wrong. We’ve been married for three years and I won’t throw that away just because you‘ re being impulsive.”
This? Impulsive?
I leveled him with a cold stare. “So my mother’s death is just a small inconvenience to you, isn’t it?”
He paused, taken aback. “I didn’t mean it like that. Look, I understand you‘ re upset and I’ll make amends. Just tell me what you want.”
“I want a divorce, Adam.” I pronounced each word with deliberate finality. “I want you gone, for good. I never want to see you again.”
Turning on my heel, I ignored his shouts
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behind me and left. I knew, deep down, I’d never regret this decision.
When I returned to the funeral home, the staff had kindly taken care of my
mother’s ashes. I thanked them and with what little strength I had, I contacted a few family members and friends to help with the final arrangements.
The day of my mother’s burial, I was distracted by a notification on my phone. Louise had become a trending topic on social media, with headlines proclaiming her as the nation‘ s sweetheart who‘ d just gotten engaged. The photo showed her nestled lovingly in a man’s arms, her face radiant. Only his outline was visible, but I would recognize that frame anywhere. It was Adam.
I didn’t bother reacting to the news. I’d already signed the divorce papers; Adam was the only one stalling. Despite the lawyer‘ s repeated calls, he always claimed he was “too busy” to sign.
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A few days later, Mrs. Foster showed up at my doorstep. She looked out of place in her designer suit against the peeling paint of my doorframe, scrutinizing me from head to toe with a sneer.
“You‘ re supposed to be a Foster now, yet look at the way you live.” She crossed her arms, gaze full of disdain. “And the mess with Louise? Didn’t I tell you to keep an eye on her? She shouldn’t even be near my son.”
