My Dad’s Cheating Had a Price Tag Until It Couldn’t Keep My Mom Here Chapter 08

My Dad’s Cheating Had a Price Tag Until It Couldn’t Keep My Mom Here Chapter 08

There was something almost pleading in Dad’s voice now.

It didn’t stir a single ripple in Mom.

She hung up, no hesitation, and came to put me to bed.

“Elowen, remember this.”

“The last thing in this world you should trust is a man’s promise.”

I saw the red rimming her eyes and made a decision.

Why should Mom carry all of this alone?

The more I thought about it, the angrier I got on her behalf.

She had no one to stand up for her. Except me.

I was going to get her some justice.

So I lowered my eyes, made my voice small, and asked, “Mom, can I go see Dad tomorrow?”

“Please?”

She’d never heard me ask for that before.

It hurt her. I could tell. She’d raised me all by herself, and I was asking to see Dad.

But Mom always respected my choices. Even when it stung, she didn’t say no.

The next morning, I got dropped off at his place.

I clutched my backpack. Inside was Mom’s old prenatal record.

After she miscarried, she’d thrown it in the trash, hollowed out with grief.

I’d fished it back out because I thought Dad should know.

Turns out I was right.

When Dad saw me, shock crossed his face.

Then he looked behind me, searching.

He didn’t see who he was hoping for, and the disappointment hit.

“Elowen. What’s going on?”

He couldn’t be too harsh with his own kid.

I didn’t say anything. I pulled out the prenatal record and set it on his desk.

“Mom was pregnant. That woman pushed her down the stairs.”

“The baby died.”

“And that man in the photo, he’s my piano teacher. He has a family. He loves them.”

“If you don’t believe me, look into it yourself.”

Dad stared at the record. His first instinct was to doubt.

“Did Thessaly put you up to this?”

“I knew it. That’s just like her.”

I couldn’t believe he went there. I didn’t know whether to feel heartbroken for Mom or just disgusted.

Loving a man like that was a curse.

“Dad, the house has security cameras.”

“Mom never told anyone. I saw it myself. Believe it or don’t.”

“Nobody’s forcing you.”

His expression twisted into something wild. He stared at me like he couldn’t process it.

“Impossible. Ondine isn’t like that!”

“It has to be Thessaly. Your mom told you to say this, didn’t she?”

I didn’t answer. I just held his gaze.

I look exactly like Mom. Especially the eyes.

Everyone always said so.

Staring into those eyes…the same ones his love had…he finally went quiet.

He sat there in silence for a long, long time.

So long I thought he was done talking. I turned to leave.

Then he spoke. “Your mom… is she okay?”

I didn’t totally know what he meant. I nodded anyway.

Better than when she was with him. That was for sure.

He seemed to collapse into himself, suddenly decades older.

“Okay.”

“Tell her I’m sorry. For everything.”

“I’ll fix this.”