Jack had just gotten married. His paycheck went to car loans and baby savings.
Sebastian was always busy with ‘who knows what.’
And his in-laws? Too far away to help.
So who did all the heavy lifting?
Me.
And when I was done taking care of them?
I’d be cast aside like a worn-out machine. No value. No retirement. No rest.
Just die already.
So I wouldn’t be a burden.
So I wouldn’t waste their money.
“Fine,” I said. “I’ll go back and find your dad. The money’s with him.”
Jack froze. His expression shifted to panic as he immediately stepped in front of me.
“You can’t leave. You HAVE TO stay here with Gigi. I’ll go back instead!”
Then, words tumbled out in a rush, frantic, like he was scrambling to fix a mistake. “Dad called earlier. Told me to go home right away. Maybe… maybe something happened.”
Without waiting for my response, he spun on his heel and headed for the door.
But before he could leave, a nurse intercepted him. “Are you Jack Dwight?”
Jack blinked, clearly caught off guard. “Yes… What’s the matter?”
The nurse frowned, arms crossed. “Your wife said she sent your mother home to get something. Why hasn’t it been brought over yet? It’s been ages.”
Jack’s face went ghostly white. His whole body went rigid.
Slowly, he turned to me. “Mom… you already went back?”
I said nothing. Just met his gaze with a cold, steady stare.
Jack couldn’t hold it. His eyes darted away, and the next second, he bolted. Practically ran out of there, like he couldn’t get away fast enough.
What a guilty conscience.
