I placed two envelopes on the table.
The first was for my mother.
The second was for Brenda.
Inside were copies of their financial records.
“I’ve already given everything to my attorney.”
My mother stared at me.
“Are you going to report us?”
“I haven’t decided.”
Brenda began crying.
“Please.”
I looked at her.
“For four years, I thought I was working overseas to build a future for my family.”
I glanced toward the hallway.
“Instead, I was funding people who were destroying my wife.”
My mother whispered:
“What do you want?”
“Nothing.”
She looked confused.
“I don’t want an apology.”
I picked up my bag.
“I don’t want your excuses.”
I walked toward the door.
“I want you out of my life.”
PART 8 — THE SECOND SURPRISE
Three months later, Chloe began chemotherapy.
The treatment was difficult.
Some days she couldn’t get out of bed.
Some days she couldn’t eat.
But every appointment, I was there.
I shaved my head when her hair began falling out.
She cried when she saw me.
“You look ridiculous.”
I laughed.
“So do you.”
She smiled.
For the first time since I had returned home, I heard her laugh.
Then, one afternoon, her oncologist walked into the room carrying a folder.
“We have the latest scans.”
Chloe grabbed my hand.
The doctor smiled.
“The tumor has responded to treatment.”
Chloe began crying.
I closed my eyes.
For the first time in months, I allowed myself to breathe.
PART 9 — THE HOUSE BECAME SOMETHING ELSE
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