A House of Lies

Three days before Sheldon was supposed to leave the country, he mortgaged our house.

He even helped us pack, moving me and the boys into a tiny one-room basement unit on the third floor down. It was barely 300 square feet and was damp, musty, and dark.

Sheldon stood in the middle of that little room, talking to our sons as if he was giving some grand speech.

"Life gives the hardest battles to the strongest soldiers. You're men. You've gotta be tough. This place isn't so bad. At least it keeps out the wind and rain. And your mom will make sure you never starve. But listen—don't waste her money. Every dollar has to go to my new business, understand?"

All four of them nodded, their faces serious.

Then he turned to me. "Honey, I won't be around for a while. Gotta focus on the business. I'll need you to hold down the fort at home."

"Alright. Go do whatever you want."

I didn't waste my breath on a man so good at lying to his own kids.

He pulled me into a stiff hug. "Wait for me, okay?"

I couldn't help the cold laugh that slipped out. He thought I was smiling about our future, when really I just wanted him gone.

The third day came faster than either of us expected. He was practically counting down the minutes until his flight. I told him I couldn't take him to the airport because it would be too hard for the kids. He didn't mind.

The second he walked out the door, I started packing to move us out.

But then—disaster.

While we were coming up from the basement, Jonah Clem, my youngest, darted out into the blind spot of the driveway. A car hit him, and there was blood everywhere.

I couldn't breathe.

By some miracle, the driver was a doctor. He checked Jonah quickly and told me, "He's lost too much blood. We need a donor now. I work at the hospital down the street, but the blood bank's low. Call your family and friends—anyone who can donate."

My stomach dropped. Jonah had Sheldon's rare blood type.

My hands were shaking as I dialed Sheldon's number. Once. No answer. Twice. No answer.

The third time, he finally picked up, his voice clipped. "Lizzie, I'm on my way to the airport. If it's not important, don't call me right now."

"It's Jonah. He's been hit by a car. He's losing so much blood! Please, you have to come back. He needs you. He needs your blood!" My voice was breaking so hard that the words came out in pieces.

In the background, I heard Gigi giggling. "Daddy, play with me!"

Sheldon sighed, annoyed. "Lizzie, stop. Do you think I'm stupid? You just don't want me leaving, so you're making this up."

"What the hell are you talking about? I wouldn't lie about this! I'll call you on video and show you. He's dying! Please, Sheldon, I'm begging you. Come back and save him."

For a split second, I thought maybe, just maybe, he'd come through. If he showed up now, if he saved Jonah, I'd let everything else go.

But his voice turned to ice. "Enough. I'm almost at the airport. I'm hanging up."

Then the line went dead. And when I tried again, his phone was off.

By the time we made it to the hospital, Jonah had lost too much blood and left this world forever.

That same night, Riley posted a picture of three hands stacked together—hers, Sheldon's, and Gigi's.

Her caption read, [I'm so lucky to have found someone who gives me the whole world. Thank you for loving my daughter as if she were your own.]

I cried for three days straight. Then I made up my mind. I would avenge Jonah, even if it was the last thing I did.

I texted Ken. [Would you dare to marry me, just to get revenge on Sheldon?]

It took him half an hour to respond. [I know you're using me. But honestly? I like this kind of twisted payback.]

And just like that, we got married.

I changed my boys' last names to Clayton, and finally, they weren't invisible anymore. They had a real name, a real family.

-

Three years flew by. With the company secrets I gave him, Ken crushed Sheldon's empire completely.

Then, after three years of silence, Sheldon texted me.

[Honey, I'm coming back tomorrow. Things didn't work out here. It's been rough, but I finally realized that you and the kids are really what matters. I just want a simple life with you. I love you. Wait for me.]