A House of Lies

"Our boys are only three years old—"

I was ready to let Sheldon have it, but before the words left my mouth, all four of my sons wrapped their arms around me.

"Mommy, don't fight with Daddy. I don't need ice cream."

"Mommy, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked Daddy for it. Please don't fight."

Their little voices, so heavy with guilt they should never have carried, cut through my anger like nothing else could. The more grown-up they acted, the deeper my guilt sank. What kind of mother would pick a father like Sheldon for her children?

Then Riley's daughter let out a wail, loud enough to turn heads.

Sheldon's whole body tensed. "What's wrong, Gigi?

"Shh, it's okay, sweetheart. I'm here. I'll always protect you."

He cupped her cheeks as if she were made of glass, brushing her tears away with a tenderness I'd never once seen him give our sons. His eyes glowed with a love so fierce it made me sick.

So that was it. His heart was gone. And when a man had given up on his family, he would even trample his children underfoot.

Gigi wouldn't stop crying. Her finger pointed straight at me.

"Daddy, she's mean! She's a bad lady!"

Sheldon hushed her quickly, panic all over his face. "No, no, don't cry. I'm right here."

Then his gaze snapped toward me, sharp and accusing. "Lizzie, what the hell is wrong with you? She's just a kid. Can't you have some compassion? You scared her half to death. Apologize to her now!"

His tone wasn't a request. It was an order.

I balled my fists, my chest burning. "If I didn't know better, I'd think she was your daughter. Our boys cry all the time, and I've never seen you look at them like that."

Sheldon frowned, as if he couldn't recognize me anymore. "You're being ridiculous. Of course, it's different. She's someone else's child. If I'm taking care of her, I have to be responsible. You scared her, so just say you're sorry."

Seeing that I refused to move, he shot his hand out and clamped around my wrist, squeezing so hard that it left a red mark. "I said, apologize. Do you hear me?"

Before I could jerk free, Riley appeared. She tapped his arm lightly, her voice playful but edged with something sharper.

"Sheldon, what are you doing? Don't embarrass your wife out here."

Like a switch flipped, his whole face softened.

Riley's eyes met mine for a quick second, flashing with challenge before she plastered on a sweet smile. She looped her arm through mine as if we were girlfriends. "Lizzie, don't take it to heart. You know Sheldon's temper. I'll talk to him later."

Then she turned to him, mock-scolding as if it was all some inside joke. "Sheldon, if you keep treating your wife like that, I'll make you sleep on the couch!"

Sheldon laughed, almost boyish. He said obediently, "I know, I know. I was just upset. I didn't want Gigi scared. That's all."

How pathetic.

Legally, he was my husband. But one word from another woman, and he folded like paper.

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.]