“Jayden throws tantrums and now you too?” Nick’s face twisted in frustration. “He’s just a kid, but you? You’re an adult. Why can’t you try to understand him? Once he grows up, he’ll get it.”

“I’m tired from work. Stop adding to my stress, okay? I don’t have the energy to deal with you,”

I wanted to tell him I didn’t need him to fix anything. Just listen.

But to Nick, everything I said sounded like complain. His eyes turned cold, all traces of desire gone.

“I’ve got work to do,” he muttered, storming out and slamming the door behind him. “I’m not sleeping with you tonight.”

I didn’t even bother counting how many times he’d left me like that. At this point, I was nothing more than a convenient toy to him—there when he wanted me, invisible when he didn’t.

But after tonight, I wouldn’t be anyone’s toy anymore.

I spent the whole night at the table, carefully trying to glue my mother’s bracelet back together. It was hopeless, of course—jade doesn’t mend easy. But I still tried. All I had was some cheap superglue and a prayer.

By the time I looked out the window, the sun was up.

Mrs. Fusco had sent me a message, asking me to come over. I threw on a coat and went.

She was sitting in the living room when I arrived, her face tight with worry. When she saw me, she sighed.

“I heard about what happened yesterday. Jayden’s a lot like his dad—stubborn and hard to handle. But you raised him, Aria. There has to be some part of him that cares about you. Give him time. He’ll understand one day.”

Then she looked me in the eyes. “Are you really ready to walk away from the family you’ve built all these years?”

Her words gave me pause.

But can it still be called a family if there’s no love left in it?

My thoughts drifted back to the late Gianna.

Gianna and Nick had been inseparable since childhood—best friends, sweethearts, soulmates. They grew up side by side, went through every phase of life together and eventually got married. They were the kind of couple people looked at with envy.

Until five years ago, when Gianna died suddenly. Nick was never the same after that. It was like half of him had died with her. He walked around like an empty shell, neglecting even his most basic needs—and that included their young son.

Mrs. Fusco was worried sick. She didn’t want Jayden to grow up without a mother’s love. But she couldn’t just trust anyone to fill that role. She was terrified some random woman would ruin everything. So one day, she came to me with a proposal—marry Nick, raise Jayden and be a mother figure to her only grandson.

In the past five years, I gave everything I had to keep the Fusco household running like clockwork. I raised Jayden into the golden boy everyone admired. I even took on Nick’s emotional mess, trying to make life easier for him.

But no matter what I did, it never earned me a sliver of their love.

To Nick, I was nothing more than a warm body—someone he turned to only when desire hit. The rest of the time, I might as well have been invisible.

As for Jayden, he hated me. Because of a few words from outsiders, gossiping about me, he hated me with every fiber of his being. Every time he looked at me, it was like he was willing me to die.

How could that situation fit to ever be called a family?

Mrs. Fusco eventually gave up trying to talk me out of leaving. Instead, she handed me the divorce papers and told me that once I signed, I’d finally be free.

I couldn’t contain the excitement bubbling inside me. I signed the papers without hesitation.

By the time I got home that night, it was already dark. I tried using my key, but the lock had been changed. Confused, I knocked on the door, but no one answered.

Just as I was about to call the housekeeper, Jayden walked out with his arms crossed, eyes filled with disgust.

“Oh, look who finally decided to come home. Why didn’t you just drop dead somewhere? Then you wouldn’t have to cook for me and Dad anymore.”

He was mad that I hadn’t made his meals today. Jayden’s got a picky stomach and a delicate palate—hardly anyone could cook food he actually liked and that wouldn’t upset him. That’s why I’d even taken culinary classes, just to learn how to prepare meals that suited him.

Back then, he used to hug me and smile, saying,

“Mommy, you’re the best chef in the whole world. I wanna eat your food forever.”

But somewhere along the way, everything changed. Now, all he wanted was for me to disappear.

Suddenly, thunder cracked across the sky and rain poured down without warning. Within seconds, I was drenched to the bone. I had nowhere to hide.

I looked up and spoke gently, “Jayden, can I please come inside? I’ll catch a cold if I stay out here.”

He sneered. “You think I care? You wanted to be out so bad, why don’t you just stay out?”

“Jayden, who are you talking to?” a woman’s voice called sweetly from inside.

Valentina Byrnes walked over in sky-high heels and wrapped her arms around Jayden’s shoulders like they belonged to each other.

When she saw me, she couldn’t hold back a laugh.

“Oh, it’s you. Sorry, sweetheart, but Nick said he’d be spending the night with me today. Guess you’ll have to sleep outside.”

Then she turned to Jayden.

“Come on, Jayden. Dinner’s ready. Your dad’s waiting for us.”

“Yay! I love eating with you, Aunt Vee.” Jayden beamed and took her hand. “You’re the best!”

I watched them walk back inside, their silhouettes warm and close. My chest ached.

The boy I raised, the one I poured every ounce of my heart into, couldn’t see a thing I’d done for him. Instead, he clung to a hostess Nick brought home just because she looked a little like Gianna.

It was too late to find a cab and the rain kept getting heavier. I curled up in the corner by the gate like some stray dog, trying to shield myself from the downpour.

Just when I thought I’d have to sit there all night, the door opened. The housekeeper stepped out with an umbrella.

“Madam, Mr. Fusco said you can come in.”

My mind was half-frozen, but I managed a nod and dragged myself inside.

The first thing I saw was Jayden curled up in Valentina’s lap, watching TV, while Nick peeled fruit beside them. They looked like the picture-perfect family.

I ignored them and headed upstairs—but Nick stopped me.

“You know Jayden’s stomach can only handle food you make. From now on, don’t stay out for more than an hour.”

I gave a cold, tired smile and said calmly, “Then you better hire a professional nutritionist soon. Or maybe have Miss Byrnes learn the recipes, I’ve got them written down. We’ll be divorced soon remember?”

A sharp clang rang out. Nick had slammed the fruit knife onto the plate, the sound grating.

“Aria! Have I been too soft with you? Is that why you think you can talk to me like this?” He pushed back his chair and marched over to me, grabbing my wrist in a bruising grip.

“You throw the word ‘divorce’ around like it means nothing. You really think I won’t go through with it?”

Of course he would. Why wouldn’t he? He never loved me. Not really. The only reason he hadn’t divorced me already was because of Jayden. He wanted his son to believe he still had a perfect little family.

I stayed calm, looked him dead in the eye. “Then maybe you should just ask Jayden if he even wants me around. Ask him if he cares whether we stay together.”

Right on cue, Jayden’s voice cut through the room, dripping with disdain.

“Dad, I’ve been wanting you to divorce her for years. I hate her. I like Aunt Vee better.”

Valentina hurriedly covered his mouth.

“Jayden, honey, you can’t say things like that—it’ll hurt your mom.”

She said the right words, sure—but the sparkle of excitement in her eyes betrayed her true feelings.

“She’s not my mom! I don’t want a murderer as my mother!” Jayden shouted, glaring at me with hatred.

I shrugged at Nick and said dryly, “There, you heard him. He doesn’t want me around. Can we finally get divorced now?”

Nick’s brows furrowed. He turned to Valentina.

“Valentina, take Jayden downstairs.”

Valentina hesitated, disappointment flashing in her eyes, but she nodded and led Jayden away.

I looked at her retreating figure and said again, “You and Jayden both like her. Why don’t you make her Mrs. Fusco instead? I’m done with the title.”

“You’re really that eager to throw me at another woman?” His voice was low, dangerous.

I stared at him, genuinely confused. What did he even mean by that?

He loved Gianna. Everyone knew it. Even after five years since her death, he never moved on. He’d never looked at me with affection. I was just a stand-in—someone he used when his body needed something, nothing more. And now, he’d finally found Valentina, someone who looked so much like Gianna it was eerie. Shouldn’t he be thrilled?

But instead of answering, his expression darkened. He turned abruptly and barked over his shoulder. “Valentina, come back.”

She peeked back in, surprised. Before she could ask anything, Nick grabbed her wrist and dragged her down the hall.

“You want to see us together, Aria?” he snapped. “Fine. I’ll give you what you want.”

And with that, he yanked her into the bedroom and slammed the door.

Not long after, the sounds of moaning slipped through the walls.

I felt nothing.

I’d never come to this house for love. I came to repay a debt. That was it. I never let my heart get involved, never expected anything more than cold indifference. Nick had always loved Gianna and now he’d found someone who mirrored her so perfectly it was almost grotesque. Valentina was his second chance, a living, breathing shadow of the woman he’d never stopped grieving.

He should be happy.

I checked the time—my flight was leaving soon.

Quietly, I slid the divorce agreement under his door, picked up my suitcase and headed downstairs.

But just as I reached the front door, Jayden stepped in front of me, blocking my path.

With one sharp kick, he knocked over my suitcase. 

“What, a couple harsh words and now you’re storming out?” His voice was dripping with contempt. “You think this little act will get my dad’s attention? That he’ll come chasing after you like some movie scene? You’re pathetic.”

I didn’t say a word. I just bent down, calmly picked up my suitcase and started walking around him.

Then, out of nowhere, Jayden grabbed the fruit knife from the table.

And lunged.

He came at me fast—knife angled right toward my chest, his face twisted with anger.