Chapter 4

I managed to make it to my bedroom, collapsed onto the bed.

Closing my eyes, I kept seeing, “Mom would just disappear.”

Those four words.

Honestly, I’d never screamed at him hysterically. In fact, I went out of my way to avoid conflict, humbling myself to keep Dan around for Tyler’s sake.

I pleaded with Dan to come home, to spend time with his own son.

Sleep was impossible.

My phone lit up on the nightstand; it was a message from Linda.

“I heard Dan storm out again. Did you two argue? Are you okay?”

I met Linda through Craigslist, where I sold handmade crafts after Dan cut off my access to our joint account during one of his silent treatments.

I had no income, so I took on small jobs to make ends meet.

Eventually, we discovered we were neighbors.

She even bought from me, supporting my small business and showing care.

As I heard Tyler’s door close, I texted back: “Thanks, Linda. I’m fine.”

The next morning, I woke up completely drained, my eyes swollen.

Dan had returned. The scent of Vanilla Musk was barely there, drowned in alcohol.

His gaze lingered on me for a moment, then shifted away.

This wasn’t the silent treatment. This time, he muttered from the bathroom doorway, scornfully.

“Don’t you think this look is a bit dramatic?”

He expected me to lash out, to scream and cry so he could leave, feeling justified.

But I’d grown tired. I didn’t react.

He seemed surprised, watching me with something like uncertainty.

He walked into Tyler’s room and spoke in that bright, affectionate tone.

“Hey, buddy, Daddy’s taking you to school today.”

The two of them left hand in hand, happily chatting, his kindness for Tyler a sharp contrast to his coldness with me.

Neither of them thought to ask how I was doing.

It felt like two knives twisting in my chest.