My Dad’s Cheating Had a Price Tag Until It Couldn’t Keep My Mom Here Chapter 02

My Dad’s Cheating Had a Price Tag Until It Couldn’t Keep My Mom Here Chapter 02

I just felt worse and worse.

Mom looked down at me and pressed the back of her hand to my forehead. Her palm was slick with sweat.

“Please hurry,” she urged.

Right then, a truck blew through a red light into the intersection.

I heard the screech of brakes.

Mom threw herself sideways, covering my entire body with hers.

A deafening crash. I blacked out.

When I came to, my ears were ringing so loud I could barely think.

Mom was slumped over me. She wasn’t moving.

“Mom!”

No response.

Panic ripped through me. I reached up to touch her face. It was wet. I couldn’t tell if it was rain or blood.

“Mom!”

I squirmed out from under her, shaking all over.

I found my phone. The screen was cracked, but it still worked.

With trembling hands, I called Dad.

It rang three times. He picked up.

“Dad, we got in a car accident. Mom…she’s bleeding everywhere. There’s so much blood.”

I was sobbing so hard I couldn’t get the words out.

Dad’s voice cracked with panic. “Where are you?”

Before I could answer, a voice cut in on his end.

“Caelian, what a coincidence. You just got to my place and this happens…”

“I know Thessaly’s never liked me, but making up a story like this to curse herself is a new low.”

Dad went completely silent.

Heat flooded my chest. “I’m not making it up! Mom is bleeding everywhere!”

“Elowen, did your mother put you up to this call?”

“Tell her I’ll be back soon.”

I froze.

He actually thought Mom would use her own life as some kind of stunt.

I was shaking with rage when I heard Ondine’s voice again.

“Caelian, maybe you should go check. What if something really did happen…”

I didn’t hear his answer. The call ended.

I stared at the phone, my fingers stiff.

Mom had woken up at some point. She managed a weak, hollow smile.

“Elowen, call 911. He’s not coming.”

I’d seen that look once before.

…

A year ago. It was her birthday.

She’d cooked an entire feast. She bought a cake. Candles. The works.

He’d promised her he’d be there.

She waited and waited.

The food was reheated three times. The candles were never lit.

“Your dad must’ve gotten held up at work.”

Then, at ten p.m., Ondine posted an Instagram story. A photo of Dad’s back, crouched down fixing a pipe.

The caption: [So grateful for Caelian. Our place would’ve flooded tonight without him.]

Mom didn’t say a word. She just threw the cake in the trash.

…

Dad finally showed up after they rushed Mom into surgery.

His collar was crooked, his hair was a mess, and he was drenched in sweat from running.

“Elowen, is your mom okay?”

My head was swimming. I couldn’t stay upright anymore and started sliding toward the floor.

He caught me and pulled me against him.

“Elowen, don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying right here with you and your mom.”

“Dad,” I forced out, my voice barely there. “Do you even love Mom?”

I didn’t hear his answer. Everything went black.