Oliver chuckled. The sound made my stomach tighten.
“Almost, Mom. She’s weird about paperwork. But after the wedding? She’ll do whatever I say, I promise. Especially with those freak kids of hers… She’s clinging to security. That’s the card I hold.”
I went still. The laundry fell from my hands.
“Once we’re married, I’ll get the house and the savings. She’ll have nothing. It will be perfect. I can’t wait to dump her, I’m tired of pretending to love these kids.”
They laughed—easy, casual, the kind of laughter that comes from people who believe themselves to be completely alone, completely safe in their conspiracy.
My hands went numb.
I didn’t speak. I didn’t throw the phone or scream or do any of the things that betrayed women typically do when their entire understanding of their future collapses in a matter of seconds. I just reached down and ended the call, my finger moving with mechanical precision to the red disconnect button.
The Plan
My body moved on instinct, walking out of my room and down the hallway to the living room where the kids were asleep. Harry was sprawled across one cushion, his mouth slightly open, his arm hanging off the edge. Selena was curled up beside Mika, one of her feet still twitching like she’d been dreaming, still processing something in her unconscious mind.
