It Ended on the Decade

I had just put my phone down when the screen lit up again. Several messages from an unknown number came in.

They were intimate videos of Rachel and Samuel. There were also photos of Rachel with Samuel and our son, Morgan, as well as even more messages after that.

[Samuel said the person he let down the most is me. He said he owes me a family.]

[Cindy Wright, you took my place for a decade. It's time to give it back.]

How laughable.

Rachel was the one who had chosen not to be with Samuel. Now she blamed me for taking her place?

How shameless.

I then replied: [If that were true, you wouldn't need to prove anything to me.]

[A worthless man is only a prize to someone like you.]

After I sent the texts out, there was no response.

I let out a short snort and saved every video and photo. I bundled them up and sent them to my lawyer.

-

The next afternoon, Samuel came home with our son, Morgan, with Rachel right behind them. She hid behind Samuel and looked miserable, as if I would tear her apart.

I asked coldly. "What are you doing bringing her home?"

A hint of panic flashed in Samuel's eyes, but he looked more impatient than anything. "Don't argue in front of our son. Let's go inside first. Rachel is my sister-in-law, and she hasn't found a place yet, as she just got back. It's not safe for a woman to live alone out there, so she'll stay here for a few days."

Rachel then spoke softly, but the provocation in her eyes was clear. "I've lived overseas for so many years, and I've always felt lonely. Now that I'm back, I feel safer when I am with my family."

I laughed coldly, and my eyes darted from one to the other. "Family? The term 'lover' would be more appropriate in this case."

"Cindy!" Samuel yelled as he raised his voice. "What nonsense are you talking about?! Rachel is my sister-in-law. Why are you talking like that!"

I looked him in the eyes and did not budge. "Did what I said bother you? But were your actions any better? Samuel, we have been married for a decade, and you never once told me you even had a sister-in-law! You suddenly vanish without a word and take her on a trip after leaving me behind! Are you brave enough to say your feelings for her are pure?!"

Samuel's expression darkened as he snorted. "So, you're just throwing a tantrum. It was only one trip. The Golden Highlands are not going anywhere, and we can visit at any time. Do you really have to make a scene out of this?"

Rachel cut in with a tone that made it seem as though she was the one aggrieved. "Cindy, you've misunderstood us. Samuel just felt sorry for me because I was alone..."

I cut her off. "You do not get a say here!"

I turned back to Samuel and spoke slowly. "I own this house, too. I have the right to decide who can stay and who cannot. Now, tell her to leave."

Samuel finally snapped as his patient ran out. "Be reasonable, Cindy! Rachel's family, too! She's alone and helpless right now! How can you be this cold?!"

I froze there for a long time as the ache in my chest swelled into rage. "When my parents died, why didn't you think about how helpless I was? Where were you when I had to handle everything by myself?!"

The moment I mentioned my parents, his anger faltered.

My parents had been on a trip half a year ago, but they had rushed back to deal with an urgent company crisis. Alas, on their way, they had encountered a car accident.

Panic had completely overwhelmed me at the time. I had called Samuel while he was overseas, but he had simply brushed me off and said he would come back as soon as he could.

By the time he returned, my parents had already passed away. All he did was hug me and comfort me with a few words.

Meanwhile, our son, Morgan, had excitedly pulled my hand and talked about how much fun he had had while overseas.

"Mom, why are you bringing this up again!" Morgan's voice pulled me back to reality. He looked at me with open disgust as he said, "Why do you always fight with Dad? Rachel never does that. She is gentle and pretty, and she takes me skiing. I don't like you."

Children don't hold back what they say… And their words sting the most. The worst part of this? I raised this one myself.

I smiled with tears welling in my eyes.

Morgan simply pouted and said, "You're always controlling me. You don't let me eat snacks, and you don't let me play games. I don't like you at all! I want Rachel to be my mom!"

Rachel's face bloomed with a smug smile when she heard that. She squatted down and hugged him with fake tenderness. "Morgan, behave. How can you talk to your mom like that? But... since you like me so much, you can call me 'Mom' later."

She looked at me with pure provocation, as if she was bragging.

I suddenly felt exhausted

Ten years of being his mother meant less than a few sweet words from a two-faced snake.

Suddenly, it all felt pointless.

I pulled out the divorce papers I had prepared some time ago and slammed them in front of Samuel. "Let's get a divorce."