* Chapter 4
The shame and pain crashed over me like a wave, suffocating and all–consuming.
I pushed him away with all the strength I had, screaming desperately, “If you love Belle so much, why did you marry me? Why trap me here and ignore me?”
There was no response.
Though I couldn’t see him, I felt the rage emanating from him.
Realizing my legs were cut, his tone turned harsh.
“You went looking for
or me? What did you hear?”
I didn’t care anymore. The words spilled out.
“Do you really think Belle left because of our marriage? She left for her own ambitions.”
“How dare you mention her!”
He shoved me, and I fell back, my head hitting the ground with a painful thud, sending a sharp ache through my skull.
Suddenly, a sliver of light broke through, fading the darkness into a mist.
Slowly, my vision cleared.
I thought I saw Weston reaching for me, but his hand retreated. He stood there, expression cold as ice.
“You wanted me back. I’m here. That’s enough.”
Then he disappeared into the night.
I could see. I could finally see.
Rushing to the bedroom, I touched Ethan and Lillian’s warm little hands to make sure it was real.
Tears of joy streamed down my face.
Now, I was more determined than ever to leave.
The next day, Weston, sobered up, had his secretary send birthday gifts for the twins.
They dumped them at the front door.
Ethan scowled.
“It’s not even my birthday today. Why send this now?”
Lillian, equally upset, added, “We wanted Dad home so he could be with Mom. But if Mom doesn’t want Dad, we don’t either.”
They were too young to have such heavy burdens, only two years old but far too mature.
Lillian’s small voice asked, “Mom, where
we go?”
Smiling. I replied, “Back to Mom’s old home.”
The Monroe estate was long gone, sold off. Now, only Grandma Lucille’s Homestead remained–the place she had never left until her last breath, her little paradise.
“There’s no amusement park, no tall buildings, but there are birds, flowers, and streams.”
201 PM
Their little arms wrapped around me tightly, stifling the rest of my words.
“With you, Mom, anywhere is the best place.”
***