Walking Out On My Husband Chapter 02

Walking Out On My Husband Chapter 02

And just earlier, Julian wouldn’t even buy Mom a bus ticket.

When I tried to get her one, Julian said: “Mary gets Social Security, she can buy her own. Besides, the money you spend is our joint account.”

Mom’s bus ticket was joint money.

When Susan wanted roasted nuts, joint money became “nothing.”

Before I could say a word, Susan smiled and sauntered back to her room.

Leaving me standing there, receipt in hand, arm frozen in midair.

I took a deep breath and asked:

“When is Susan moving out?”

“Lily’s still looking for a place.”

He’d been saying that for three months.

“She’s been looking forever. She can just pick something. Or stay with relatives.”

Julian’s hand paused mid-towel. His expression turned strange.

“Why are you in such a rush? Is someone moving in?”

Before I could answer, he sighed.

“Even if someone was, there’s still an empty room.”

Right. There was still an empty room. So why couldn’t my mother stay in it?

My fingers clenched. The receipt crumpled in my fist.

Then it started raining outside.

When the thunder cracked, my ears buzzed.

Mom had a fear of storms ever since she tumbled down a hillside in the rain as a kid. Sometimes her panic attacks got so bad she’d bite through her own tongue.

My head pounded. I called her immediately.

It rang twice. When someone picked up, it wasn’t her voice.

“Hi, the owner of this phone collapsed in the bus station lobby. She’s being taken to the hospital now.”

Cold sweat ran down my back. I thanked them, voice shaking.

I rushed into the bedroom, changing clothes while calling out to Julian in the living room:

“Julian, something happened to my mom. My car’s at the mechanic. Can you drive me to get her?”

But when I came out, Julian was gone.

I called him three times in a row, frantic. No answer.

Susan came out then. Without Julian around, she dropped the act, her face full of irritation.

“Chloe, you’re not helpless. Julian went to pick up Lily. If you’ve got a problem, handle it yourself. Stop bothering him.”

Her tone was possessive. Like Julian was her son-in-law.

I was shaking with anger. I pointed at the door and told her to get out.

Susan smirked. Sat down on the couch, nice and slow.

“I’m not going anywhere. You want someone to leave? You leave. This is Julian’s apartment. You don’t get to kick me out.”

The express cab arrived. I didn’t look at her again. I went to the hospital.

Mom had fainted from shock and split her head open on the fall.

When she saw me, she kept her head down, fidgeting. Like a child who’d done something wrong.

Dried blood still streaked across her forehead. She looked like a mess.

My eyes burned. I stepped forward and took her hand.

“Come home with me.”