SAT Scores are Out, But My Son Is Gone

The night before SAT scores were released, Arlington City was hammered by a torrential downpour, putting my son in dire straits at school.

Desperate, I pleaded with Jason to drive me to the school to pick him up.

But just as we were about to head out, he got a call from his producer that yanked him away.

Battling the storm alone, I went to fetch my son, only to be met with his dead body.

In a frenzy, I kept dialing Jason's number.

A flirty female voice answered, "Who's this, calling at such an ungodly hour?"

Then I overheard Jason in the background, "Rory, the bath's ready! Hop in!"

It turned out his ex, that very producer he dashed off to see, was the one he was with.

I swallowed my grief and managed my son's funeral arrangements alone.

***

Two weeks later, I returned home.

Jason greeted me with a sneer, "That was quick. Thought you'd stick to your guns longer."

I avoided his gaze, "Let's call it quits, Jason."

Our knot was more a merger than a marriage, planned since our childhood by our well-connected families.

Gifted and handsome, Jason was the golden boy from day one.

We attended the same schools from elementary through college graduation.

I witnessed his fiery romance with Rory Underwood unfold.

And I watched him unravel when she left him at the height of their love affair, turning to booze to numb the pain.

I'd always been in his shadow, and on my twentieth birthday, he finally noticed me and agreed to tie the knot.

Although part of me suspected he was just trying to spite Rory, I dived headfirst into marriage.

As his wife, I tiptoed around him, too scared to ever be a burden.

From small tasks like changing light bulbs to major emergencies like calling an ambulance after a car accident and my water broke, I never once imposed on him.

As an A-list actor with our marriage under wraps, I adhered strictly to the sidelines, careful not to tarnish his image or reputation.

Yet, after two decades together, this was the first time I'd ever begged him for anything—and he coldly turned his back on me.

Twenty years believing my love could warm his heart.

But I was tragically mistaken.

The allure of his moonlight is not something easily shaken off.

The blame is mine alone.

If not for my foolish hopes, our son might still be with us.

He must have felt so abandoned in his final moments, likely resenting me deeply.

"You're asking for a divorce, Rachel? Who are you performing for? There's nobody else here."

"Even if we split, you won't be getting custody of Charlie."

I had just laid our son Charlie to rest.

His name alone was enough to reopen my wounds, tears streaming down my face.

Perhaps my sobbing moved him slightly.

His tone softened a bit, and he reached out, trying to wipe away my tears.

"Cut the drama, will you? I've already found a doctor abroad who can treat him."

I stepped back, dodging his hand, which hovered awkwardly in the air.

He scowled at me, apparently frustrated by my lack of gratitude for his rare attempt at conciliation.

He thought I'd be thrilled and grateful.

But facing him now, I couldn't muster a shred of affection.

I fetched our marriage license and my ID from the room and walked back out.

"Let's end it today."

His face darkened at the sight of the documents in my hand.

"What's this about, Rachel? You vanish without a word for half a month, then come back demanding a divorce?"

I met his gaze, my eyes burning with tears.

"Jason, when have I ever been a bother to you?"

"Never."

He didn't hesitate.

He knew how compliant I had been, always tailing him, acquiescing to his every whim.

I never let my personal life or work disrupt his.

"But this one time, the only time."

"Were you actually meeting that producer?"

His expression shifted, guilty, as he turned away.

"Rachel, are you doubting me? Don't you trust me?"

I chuckled bitterly, tears welling in my eyes; he still thought I was clueless.

Still denying it.

"Liar."

Jason bristled, "What's the point in all this, Rachel? When have I ever lied to you?"

He never bothered to lie before.

Softly, I said, "Once, you promised to always look after me and Charlie."

That was his vow as I nearly died from childbirth.

But he never lived up to it, probably had forgotten he even made that promise.

Right then, his phone rang, and he took the call, missing my words entirely.

I watched him hurry off on the phone, leaving me there, completely overlooked.