Everything’s Better Without You

As always, I was the one left to tidy up the table after dinner. I hadn't even finished washing the dishes when I heard Hazel crying.

I dropped everything and rushed to the living room, only to find her sitting in a puddle of water with her clothes and pants soaked, crying for her father.

Beatrix sat cross-legged on the couch, nestled in Eli's arm. She was flirting with him.

Rage surged through me. I ran over, scooped Hazel into my arms, and roared, "Who did this?"

Eli lazily pinched Beatrix's waist and looked at me with irritation. "Hazel is so clumsy. She couldn't even hold a cup of water properly for Bixie. It's just a little fall. Kids don't even feel pain. Just go change her clothes. Why are you yelling?"

"You two will pay for this!"

Leaving those words behind, I carried Hazel to the bedroom to change.

She didn't understand that she had been carrying hot water. Her whole hand was bright red from the burn. From the moment I picked her up until now, she hadn't made a sound of pain.

Tears spilled from my eyes. She reached out and wiped my face, saying, "Mommy, don't cry."

I forced out a smile and said, "I'm not crying. Come. Let's change your clothes."

She nodded and obediently let me dress her. Once she got changed, I rushed her to the hospital. Fortunately, the burn wasn't too serious.

By the time we got home, Eli and Beatrix were already fast asleep.

"Eli, you once knelt before me, swearing you'd be a good father," I cursed in my heart.

After tucking Hazel into bed and watching her sleep, I walked to the kitchen and grabbed a knife. When I reached the master bedroom door, I could again hear the disgusting sounds from inside. My hands trembled as I gripped the knife.

"You were heartless, so don't blame me for being ruthless," I mumbled under my breath.

With a loud bang, I kicked the door open. Beatrix was sitting completely undressed on top of Eli. When she saw the knife, she gasped in feigned shock.

"Keri, what's wrong?" Her face was full of panic, yet she didn't stop moving beneath her.

I gave a cold, hollow smile and said, "Eli, Hazel's your biological daughter."

I stepped closed, the knife still in my hand. Panic flashed across his face. He yanked the blanket over himself and shouted, "Keri Bass, are you crazy?"

I swung the knife and embedded it deep into the bedside table.

Realizing that I wasn't bluffing, Beatrix shrieked for help and scrambled to cover herself. I stood over the two of them and looked at their terrified faces with bloodshot eyes.

"Yes, I am crazy! You treated me like a maid, and I endured it. For years, I didn't complain once. But Hazel is your own flesh and blood! Do you even have a heart? She was so obedient. She didn't even cry out in pain. How could you be so cruel?"

I yanked the knife out and pressed the tip against Eli's chest. His skin was already bruised from earlier. His eyes widened in sheer terror.

"Today, I'm going to cut your heart out just to see what color it really is."

"Mommy…"