Chapter 9
Victor’s face turned white, and he stared at me in disbelief.
He wasn’t like Theo. After our separation, he hadn’t, had much contact with me.
This was the first time he was witnessing my sharpness.
My words felt like a sharp blade, tearing apart his
excuses.
“You don’t love anyone. You only love yourself. You should go see your son now. I’m leaving.”
I went back to my own place.
Looking at my familiar, tidy, spotless apartment, I let out a deep breath.
Thank God, my parents loved me enough to give me an escape route.
2/4
Otherwise, I didn’t know how I could’ve had the courage to
start over.
If I had stayed in that home with those selfish people, eventually, they would have drained the life out of me.
Celeste, as equally selfish as they were, was the perfect fit for them.
Not long after, a colleague who taught Theo’s class came over to gossip.
“Did you hear? Victor and that Celeste woman got divorced!”
I was a little surprised.
But then I thought back to the time at the hospital when Celeste had never shown up, and remembered the nonsense Victor had been saying to me. It wasn’t too shocking.
My colleague seemed quite emotional.
“Victor dumped you for her, but now it looks like he never really loved her! Word is, they had a huge fight. Apparently, she went crazy at the fire station and hurt
a bunch of people. She claimed she has bipolar disorder and couldn’t control her outbursts, but when they asked her for a diagnosis, she couldn’t provide one. The doctor said there was nothing wrong with her. Victor was furious and filed for divorce right on the spot. That day, there was a fire drill, and the boss was so mad he suspended Victor! Honestly, he got what he deserved. A jerk like him should end up like this!”
I nodded in agreement.
But when I got home that night after work, I was taken aback to find Theo and Victor sitting miserably outside my door.
“Mom.”
Theo looked up at me. I wasn’t sure, but it seemed like Celeste had scratched his face, as there were several marks on it.
As soon as he saw me, tears started streaming down his face.
“Mom, it hurts so much!”
Victor sat next to him, looking dejected, as though he
had completely given up.
“I know how stupid I was now, I really do. Please, forgive me! I know I don’t deserve it, but Theo is your son. You used to love him so much. Please, be his mom again.”
