He Chose His Mistress Over Our Dying Son

In the early hours of the morning, Rio stumbled back home. I was waiting for him on the couch. He reeked of alcohol as he leaned in to kiss my forehead. "Valeria, I'm home," he mumbled drunkenly.

Trying to ignore the stench, I shifted away, forcing myself to tolerate his presence. Rio plopped down beside me, wrapping an arm around my waist, muttering incomprehensibly. I ignored his slurred speech and asked coldly, "You've been back for a while. Where have you been?"

He didn't reply, resting his head on my shoulder as if he'd passed out. Glancing at him, I noticed a red lipstick mark on his neck. With a bitter smile, I shoved him away and tossed the divorce papers at him. "Rio, I want a divorce."

He opened his eyes, a sharp glint momentarily breaking through his drunken state, but he quickly replaced it with a pitiable look, pulling me closer. "Valeria, I know you're upset about Amos's death. I've been avoiding you because I couldn't face it either. I drank to numb the pain. Please, don't be angry."

He avoided the subject of divorce, and I understood why. Our company was something we had built together, and a divorce would mean splitting it. He couldn't accept that. Knowing an argument now would be futile, I headed upstairs to the bedroom.

I couldn't sleep. As dawn broke, just as I started to drift off, a loud crash from downstairs jolted me awake. I rushed down to find Amos's favorite LEGO wall knocked over, pieces scattered everywhere.

Stunned, my emotions erupted as I yelled at the culprit, Callahan. "Haven't you learned any manners? Who told you to touch my son's things?"

Startled, Callahan started to cry. Theodora swept him into her embrace, tears in her eyes as she looked at me and said, "I'm sorry, Valeria, Callahan didn't mean to."

Rio entered at that moment, took in the scene, and dropped the papers he was holding to go to their side, wrapping them both in his arms. He barked at me, "Valeria, was that necessary? It's just some blocks; they can be replaced. Why overreact?"

Callahan stuck his tongue out at me from the safety of Rio's arms, fearless. Theodora gave me a triumphant look, raising her eyebrow daringly.

I stormed down the stairs, trembling with anger, and slapped Rio hard across the face. "You jerk, Rio!"

"Ah! Rio, are you alright?" Theodora shrieked, instinctively cupping his face with her hands.

Rio held her hands, his eyes flashing as he glared at me. "Feel better now?"

Tears streamed down as I sank to the floor, painstakingly gathering the LEGO pieces one by one. Theodora's pointed heels kept jabbing into my hand as she pretended to avoid me, each time more painful than the last.

She feigned surprise each time, saying, "I'm sorry, Valeria, it was an accident," yet her apologies were as insincere as her actions were deliberate. Rio watched without interfering, instead leading the pair to the couch, handing Callahan some documents he'd picked up.

"You like the horse ranch in the country, right? Your godfather is giving it to you now."

It was absurd. Our son had died in a riding accident, and here he was, gifting a ranch to another child. Rio watched for my reaction as he made the announcement. But I was like a puppet with cut strings, silently collecting the LEGO pieces.

Callahan, thrilled with the gift, bounced on the couch. "Be careful," Theodora advised, steadying him. The three of them exchanged smiles, looking like a happy family. I was just an outsider.

Once Callahan calmed down, Theodora brought him over. "Remember, Callahan, I said we were here to comfort your godmother. This is her. Say hi."

Reluctantly, Callahan mumbled a greeting. It hurt deeply. I pushed him away, saying, "I'm not your godmother. Go away!"

Theodora shot me a venomous look, holding her wailing son as she returned to Rio's side. "Valeria, you're so ungrateful! We came to support you after your loss, and this is how you repay us? No wonder you lost your son!"

My eyes burned as I looked at Rio, my voice trembling. "Do you have any idea what you're saying, Rio? Amos was your son too!"

His cold indifference finally snapped something inside me. I lunged at him, desperate and furious, lashing out.

Fed up, Rio shielded Theodora and Callahan, eventually shoving me away. "You're out of control!" he spat. "Theodora, let's go!"

They left, and I was alone, sobbing uncontrollably as the door clicked shut behind them.