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It turned out my injury wasn’t serious–just a surface wound. After a quick dressing at the hospital, I was cleared to leave.
On the way home, my phone buzzed with messages from Tom.
“Why aren’t you home? Where are you?”
“I already told you, I was working overtime. Did you really have to throw such a tantrum over this?”
“Come back already. I got you a gift.”
Attached to his last message was a photo of a small bottle of perfume–a sample size, no doubt.
Out of curiosity, I opened Rachel’s social media again. As expected, the real “gift” was hers. She’d posted a picture of an elegant, full–size bottle of the same perfume, accompanied by a caption thanking her “supportive friends.”
When I got home with Danny, I found Tom pacing back and forth in the hallway outside our apartment. The moment he saw me, his face twisted in annoyance, and he marched
over.
“Where the hell were you? And why is that kid with you?”
“We just got back from the hospital. Miss Lauren got hurt,” Danny piped up earnestly.
Tom crouched slightly, looking Danny in the eye with exaggerated seriousness. “Now listen, lying isn’t good, okay? Did she bribe you with candy to say that? Be honest with me.””
“I’m not lying!” Danny shouted, his small face red with frustration.
I patted his head gently. “It’s okay, Danny. Go home and get some rest.”
After walking Danny to his apartment, I returned to my own. Max was sitting on the couch, glaring at me like I’d committed some unforgivable crime.
In the past. I would’ve scolded him for staving un so late on a sek
11:43 Fri, Jan 31 BG.
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In the past, I would’ve scolded him for staying up so late on a school night. But now? I
couldn’t care less. Let his new “mom” handle that.
Tom followed me inside, holding out the tiny bottle of perfume. “Here, I got this for you. Try it and see if you like the scent.”
He sprayed some in the air before I could protest, filling the room with the sharp citrus smell I despised.
I’d told him countless times how much I hated citrus scents. But every time he bought me perfume, it was always the same. Looking back, I realized it was probably Rachel’s favorite, and he’d simply bought me a leftover sample to keep up appearances.
“You can keep it. I’m not interested in someone else’s leftovers.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? This isn’t a leftover–it’s a gift I bought just for you!” Tom said defensively.
I ignored him and walked to the bedroom, pulling a suitcase out of the closet.
“What are you doing? Why are you packing?”
“I’ve accepted a job at Mr. Lewis’s new company. It’s pretty far, so I’ll be staying in the employee dorms. I won’t be coming back.”
Tom froze for a second, then scoffed incredulously. “Are you serious? After being a stay–at–home mom for so many years, you think someone’s actually going to hire you? What are you going to do there–clean the bathrooms?”
“I wouldn’t mind. At least cleaning bathrooms pays money.”
My calm response made his face darken further.
“So that’s it? After everything I’ve done for you, this is how you repay me? Lauren, have I ever denied you anything? Haven’t I always given you what you asked for? What more do you want from me?”
Tom blocked the closet door, trying to stop me from packing. His angry face was so
ridiculous, I couldn’t help but laugh.
11:43 Fri, Jan 31 BB •
“What have you ever given me? The citrus–scented perfume I hate? Or that outdated housekeeping robot you bought me years ago when I asked for something practical? Oh, thank you so much. But don’t worry, I don’t need anything from you anymore. From now on, I’ll buy things for myself–with my own money.”
I zipped up the suitcase, yanked it upright, and headed for the door.
“Where are you going this late?” Tom demanded, following me out of the bedroom.
“I don’t need to answer that.”
Without looking back, I opened the door, ready to leave.
But before I could step out, Max exploded. He grabbed my arm tightly, shouting, “Mom! How much longer are you going to keep this up? Stop acting crazy!”
The sudden force of his pull sent a sharp pain shooting through my shoulder. I stumbled forward, collapsing to my knees as the wound reopened.
Bright red blood seeped through my shirt, dripping steadily onto the floor.
