They all like the homewrecker bitch, and they'll regret it!

Mia

Julian's hand was still on my shoulder. The heat of his fingers went straight through my cardigan. I couldn't look up. My ears had gone red. They always gave me away.

He glanced down at me. The corner of his mouth twitched. Not a kind smile. He found something about me amusing.

The conference ended. Parents chatted. Kids grabbed bags. I watched Ethan steer Sophie toward the door. Vivian's hand sat on my daughter's shoulder like it belonged there.

I should've felt destroyed. I just felt numb.

The October sun was too bright outside. Julian dropped his hand and slid both hands in his pockets.

"Leo needed a mother today," he said. "You were there. Thank you."

I stood there like an idiot. Nothing came out.

His expression shifted. Something colder.

"Mia Langford," he said. My maiden name sounded wrong in his mouth. "Last time I saw you, you were at your brother's party, pretending not to look at me. Now you're married with a kid, and you're at my son's school playing someone else's mom." He paused. "Interesting life."

He remembered. Of course he did. He remembered me following him around like a puppy. How obvious I'd been. And he was throwing it in my face now while my family walked away thirty feet ahead.

My face went hot. "Thanks for not blowing my cover," I said. "We won't bother you again."

I turned and walked fast toward Ethan's car. My heels clicked on the asphalt. I could feel Julian watching me the whole way. That was worse than anything he'd said.

The car was freezing. Cold seats. Cold silence. Sophie sat in back, still in that new dress, her small hands picking at the fabric.

Ethan spoke first. "What the hell was that? Claiming some random kid? Do you know how that looked?"

I ignored him. I turned to Sophie.

"Sophie, why did you tell everyone that Vivian was your mommy?"

"Hey, don't you dare blame her!" Ethan snapped, his voice rising to a snarl. "Look at yourself! What, have you been living in a cave? Why can't you hit a salon, get your hair and nails done like Vivian does?"

I tucked a stray lock of hair, still smelling faintly of plain soap, behind my ear. I had to take several jagged breaths just to keep my voice from trembling.

"You never even told me about the PTC meeting, Ethan. I only found out from Ms. Patterson last night. And Sophie told me she wanted cupcakes, so I was up until two in the morning slumped over an oven. I didn't have ti—"

“Oh my God, here we go, you are winning again…” Ethan cut me off, his eyes dripping with mockery.

Sophie suddenly screamed, “Auntie Vivian knows everything! She’s like a superwoman!”

She glared at me, her face flushed with anger.

"But you? You’re so boring! You just nag me with the doctor’s orders every single day. No sugar, just broccoli and gross pills! I’m sick of it! I hate broccoli, I hate the meds, and I HATE you! Why isn't Auntie V my mom?"

I stopped breathing. Those medications. The ones I set three alarms for. The ones I'd researched with specialists because Sophie's premature birth left her immune system weak. To her, all that just meant Mom was mean.

And Vivian was perfet！

I tried to explain, but Ethan cut me off.

"Don’t you dare blame her!" he snapped. "If you weren't such a failure as a mother, she wouldn't be looking for a new one. Stop blaming Vivian and take a look at yourself!"

My heart trembled. Fine. Blame me for everything. I’ve never felt this drained before. I didn't even have the strength to argue anymore.

I reached into my bag and pulled out the blue document. Law firm letterhead. PETITION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE in black letters across the top.

I threw it at Ethan's face. It smacked his nose and landed in his lap.

I didn't want to see Ethan‘s face,I pulled myself together for one last breath and asked my final question：

"Sophie... if Mommy had to leave this house, would you want to come with me?"

She looked at Ethan. Then at his phone, where Vivian's text glowed on the screen—a heart emoji and *Come home babies, I made brownies!*

"No, I want to stay with Daddy… and Vivian."

I didn't cry. Seven years of practice.

"You win," I said to Ethan, "She's yours. "

I opened the door and stepped out. Behind me, Sophie's small voice: "Daddy, what's dissolution mean?"

I didn't turn around. If I looked at her now, I'd beg. I wasn't going to beg.

My earbuds connected as I walked. The music shuffled to something upbeat and stupid. I laughed—half sob—and the tears came. I kept walking.

"You walk away now, don't come crawling back!" Ethan's voice carried across the lot.

I didn't slow down.

Thirty yards ahead, a dark blue car sat in the sun. Julian leaned against the driver's door, arms crossed.

He'd seen everything.