Chapter 2

For the next three days, I focused entirely on planning my son’s funeral.

Ethan never called once to check in.

It was just like the time we went hiking and I got lost in the deep forest. Chloe had insisted I was lying.

"It's so late. Clara probably just wanted to invite you for an outdoor hookup, Ethan. Do you really believe she’s lost?"

Ethan didn't care. He turned off his phone, leaving me terrified and shivering in the mountains all night.

Chloe had probably made up another lie about me this time, too.

But I didn't care anymore. I just wanted to say a proper goodbye to my baby.

Three days later, I returned to the house with swollen, exhausted eyes.

The moment I stepped through the door, a pillow flew right at my face.

"Ethan, you are such a typical guy!"

"You got the lingerie size completely wrong! This is way too small!"

Chloe was standing there, hands on her hips, pouting. Ethan playfully grabbed her by the waist and lifted her off the ground.

"You're going to get cold and complain about cramps again. Walking barefoot during your period, really?"

Chloe was wearing one of the white button-down shirts I had personally ironed for Ethan.

I let out a self-deprecating laugh.

Once, I had tried wearing his shirt, thinking it would be romantic.

But Ethan had mocked me. "You're not a college girl anymore, Clara. Don't embarrass yourself."

It turned out he just wanted to save that view for someone else.

Seeing them stop their flirting because of my return, I didn't want to ruin their fun.

"Carry on. I’m just here to grab some things, and then I'll leave."

With that, I turned to walk upstairs to pack.

But Ethan marched up and grabbed my wrist tightly.

"Clara, where the hell have you been for the past three days?"

I shook off his grip and kept walking.

At the top of the stairs, Chloe's teacup Pomeranian was happily eating out of a bowl.

Chloe followed me up, grabbing my arm in a fake, cuddly gesture.

"Your cooking is still the best, Clara! My dog loves this dish. You should make it more often."

I slowly turned to look at Ethan.

He looked away, guilt flashing in his eyes.

I had burned my hands with blisters learning to perfect that beef stew just because he said he liked it.

Even recently, I kept making it and leaving it in the fridge for him.

It turned out he was feeding it to the dog.

Just like my love for him, it was all wasted on a dog.

A dull ache throbbed in my chest.

Disgusted, I pushed Chloe's hand off my arm.

It was a light push, but she fell backward down the stairs without any warning.

It was only two steps, but she landed on the floor, crying dramatically and clutching her ankle.

"Clara, why did you push me?"

"What did I do to make you hate me so much? My ankle hurts so bad..."

Ethan rushed down to scoop her into his arms, glaring up at me with fury.

"Did you push her? What is wrong with you? Apologize to her right now!"

Seeing the smug, mocking glint in Chloe's teary eyes, I was too exhausted to play her games. I turned around and walked away.

"A cold-hearted woman like you is a terrible mother! What kind of example are you setting for our son?!"

Ethan's angry shouts echoed behind me as I walked into my bedroom.

Hearing Ethan singing a soothing song to Chloe outside the door, I couldn't help but picture the loving father he could have been to Leo.

But Leo was dead. And he would never know his father didn't care about him.

I packed Leo's favorite toys and my clothes into a suitcase.

Suddenly, the bedroom door was kicked open.