Severing Our Ties

I looked at them—the father and son—then let out a cold, bitter laugh. One after another.

Then, without a word, I stood up and walked toward them.

They must’ve thought I was about to apologize, because both of them smirked, their faces full of mockery.

SMACK. SMACK.

I slapped them both.

Caleb’s eyes widened in shock before he burst into tears, clutching his cheek. “I hate you! You’re the worst mom ever! You’re just a mean, bitter woman—no wonder no one wants you!”

William’s face darkened, his chest rising and falling with rage.

Luna, ever the saint, rushed to play peacemaker. “Susie, Caleb is just a kid! How could you—”

SMACK.

“Shut up.”

I’d been wanting to hit her for a long time.

The second my palm landed, she gasped dramatically, then collapsed in a perfect faint. Caleb’s crying stopped instantly, too shocked to react.

William panicked, scooping her up in his arms. He shot me a venomous glare as he stormed toward the door. “If Luna’s condition gets worse because of this, you’ll pay for it!”

And as if afraid I’d lay a hand on Caleb next, he yanked our son along with him.

Good.

With them gone, the house was finally quiet.

---

That night, after being stuck in the rain all afternoon, I came down with a fever.

Shivering, I dragged myself out of bed, fumbling through the medicine cabinet for something to bring my temperature down.

Through my haze, I sensed someone near me.

Forcing my eyes open, I was met with Luna’s smug, sneering face.

“Look at you, Susie. You’re like a stray dog. Do you really think William would’ve chosen you if I hadn’t left the country?”

She giggled, as if amused by the very idea. “But it doesn’t matter now. William only loves me, and even your son only sees me as his mother.”

Then, with a pitying sigh, she shook her head. “Honestly, a woman like you should just off herself and be done with it.”

A fresh wave of rage cleared my mind instantly.

I didn’t hesitate.

I raised my hand and slapped her again.

Luna’s lips curled into a knowing smirk as she stumbled backward—right into William’s waiting arms.

How convenient.

Crocodile tears streamed down her face as she clutched her chest. “William, I was just worried about Susie, so I came to check on her… but she hit me again.”

She winced dramatically. “William, I feel awful. I’ve already been slapped twice… am I dying?”

William’s expression twisted with fury.

His hand shot out, fingers wrapping around my throat. “Do you even realize Luna is sick?! You keep hurting her—are you trying to kill her?”

The room spun. My vision blurred.

Just as I thought I’d black out completely, he finally let go.

I collapsed onto the floor, gasping for breath.

William glared down at me, voice thick with disgust. “Unbelievable. Luna just got out of the hospital, and you’re already making her suffer.”

Then, as if I wasn’t even worth another second of his time, he turned to carry Luna away—probably back to the hospital again.

But she stopped him, tugging at his shirt. “No… let’s just go to the bedroom.”

Minutes later, muffled moans drifted through the walls.

I didn’t care.

My fever had spiked so high that every inch of me ached, my stomach twisting in pain.

After crouching on the floor for what felt like forever, I finally forced myself up, grabbed some fever meds, and swallowed them dry.

---

The only good thing that came from Luna’s dramatics was that William and Caleb didn’t come home for days. The house was blissfully empty.

But just as I was starting to enjoy the peace, another problem arose.

A call from Caleb’s school.

He had gotten into a fight.

I immediately dialed William’s number.

He hung up.

I exhaled slowly, then texted instead.

[Caleb got into trouble at school. You should go check on him.]

His reply was instant.

[I’m busy.]

And that was it.

No follow-up. No concern.

Just like every other time Caleb had gotten himself into a mess, William had no interest in dealing with it.

Fine.

If he wasn’t going, then neither was I.