A House of Lies

"Our boys are only three years old—"

I was ready to let Sheldon have it, but before the words left my mouth, all four of my sons wrapped their arms around me.

"Mommy, don't fight with Daddy. I don't need ice cream."

"Mommy, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked Daddy for it. Please don't fight."

Their little voices, so heavy with guilt they should never have carried, cut through my anger like nothing else could. The more grown-up they acted, the deeper my guilt sank. What kind of mother would pick a father like Sheldon for her children?

Then Riley's daughter let out a wail, loud enough to turn heads.

Sheldon's whole body tensed. "What's wrong, Gigi?

"Shh, it's okay, sweetheart. I'm here. I'll always protect you."

He cupped her cheeks as if she were made of glass, brushing her tears away with a tenderness I'd never once seen him give our sons. His eyes glowed with a love so fierce it made me sick.

So that was it. His heart was gone. And when a man had given up on his family, he would even trample his children underfoot.

Gigi wouldn't stop crying. Her finger pointed straight at me.

"Daddy, she's mean! She's a bad lady!"

Sheldon hushed her quickly, panic all over his face. "No, no, don't cry. I'm right here."

Then his gaze snapped toward me, sharp and accusing. "Lizzie, what the hell is wrong with you? She's just a kid. Can't you have some compassion? You scared her half to death. Apologize to her now!"

His tone wasn't a request. It was an order.

I balled my fists, my chest burning. "If I didn't know better, I'd think she was your daughter. Our boys cry all the time, and I've never seen you look at them like that."

Sheldon frowned, as if he couldn't recognize me anymore. "You're being ridiculous. Of course, it's different. She's someone else's child. If I'm taking care of her, I have to be responsible. You scared her, so just say you're sorry."

Seeing that I refused to move, he shot his hand out and clamped around my wrist, squeezing so hard that it left a red mark. "I said, apologize. Do you hear me?"

Before I could jerk free, Riley appeared. She tapped his arm lightly, her voice playful but edged with something sharper.

"Sheldon, what are you doing? Don't embarrass your wife out here."

Like a switch flipped, his whole face softened.

Riley's eyes met mine for a quick second, flashing with challenge before she plastered on a sweet smile. She looped her arm through mine as if we were girlfriends. "Lizzie, don't take it to heart. You know Sheldon's temper. I'll talk to him later."

Then she turned to him, mock-scolding as if it was all some inside joke. "Sheldon, if you keep treating your wife like that, I'll make you sleep on the couch!"

Sheldon laughed, almost boyish. He said obediently, "I know, I know. I was just upset. I didn't want Gigi scared. That's all."

How pathetic.

Legally, he was my husband. But one word from another woman, and he folded like paper.