When Love Burned to Nothing

After that night, I got seriously sick. I vomited blood and passed out in the middle of the night.

Ken was terrified. He pulled together the best medical team he could find to save me.

"Babe, as long as you get better, I'll do whatever you say. I'll be the best husband ever. I swear."

For a while after that, he really did rein himself in. Bianca left his company, too.

Life seemed to slip back into what it used to be. The three girls were thrilled their dad was home more often.

But that illusion was shattered a few days ago. I was on my way home from the hospital after taking care of Whitney when I ran into Ken. He was with all three girls and Bianca, eating at a newly opened trendy restaurant.

Through the huge glass window, I saw Ken and Bianca feeding each other using their mouths.

My three daughters sat across from them, giggling.

"Mom, Dad, you two are so embarrassing!"

It felt as if I had been struck by lightning. The three girls I had raised all by myself were calling another woman "Mom".

Suddenly, it started pouring. I couldn't remember how I made it home.

When the girls came back later and saw me soaked to the bone, they looked at me with open disdain.

"Why do some moms look so classy, while some are just embarrassing?"

They had said things like that before. I had thought they were talking about other parents at school.

Now, I finally understood. They were comparing me to Bianca. They liked her more.

That realization hurt worse than finding out Ken cheated. After all, these were the children I had raised myself.

I forced back my tears, my voice rough when I spoke, "I'm your real mother. If you're calling someone else Mom, then don't call me Mom anymore."

I clung to the last bit of hope and waited for their answer.

Carly shot me a look full of disgust. "You always pretend you're so tough. No wonder Dad doesn't like you."

Trista snorted. "Fine, we won't call you Mom. I don't even want to. We already have a new one."

Queenie was still young. She just echoed them. "If they don't call you Mom, then I won't either."

I stared at the three faces in front of me, all looking so much like Ken's, and let out a soft laugh.

I was soaked and shaking from the cold as I turned and went into the bathroom without another word.

After dropping the kids off, Ken left again. He had the staff pass along a message saying he would be working through the night.

I didn't even have the strength to call and question him anymore. That night, I vomited blood again and passed out.

Through the haze, I heard the staff panicking.

Someone was calling Ken. "Mr. Bowen, Mrs. Bowen collapsed again after vomiting blood. Please come home now!"

There was a pause on the other end.

Then, I heard Bianca's voice.

"Ken, hurry up. We haven't tried this new toy yet."

Ken snapped into the phone, impatient and sharp. "What is she pulling now? This is getting ridiculous. Don't bother with her. I want to see if she actually dies this time."

The staff sent me to the hospital anyway.

Ken didn't show up until early morning.

The red marks on his neck were impossible to miss, as if someone wanted them to be seen.

When he noticed my eyes fixed on his neck, he yanked the IV needle out of my hand.

"Linette, look at you, playing games now. You really think you can fool me? This doesn't make me feel sorry for you. It just makes me sick. Since you won't behave, I'm cutting off Whitney's medical care."

He pulled out his phone and called his assistant.

I panicked.