Three Strikes to Goodbye

My husband, Caleb Price, and I, Sienna Hart, have been married for many years. Our relationship is going strong, and our son, Tobey, is thoughtful and kind. I've always believed we would spend our whole lives together.

What I don't expect is that Caleb would hurt me and Tobey three times because of the same woman.

The first time, we agree to celebrate Tobey's birthday, but Caleb forgets his promise because he has to pick up his first love, Lila Monroe, from the airport. When I return home from a business trip, all I find is my heartbroken son.

The second time, Caleb secretly takes our son and Lila to the amusement park. He doesn't know that Tobey is allergic to peanuts, and he ends up in the hospital.

The third time, Caleb repeatedly promises to pick Tobey up from school alone, but when Caleb hears that Lila is ill, he tells Tobey to go home by himself. On the way home, Tobey is kidnapped. After he's rescued, he spends three days in the hospital in critical condition before pulling through.

Each time, Caleb apologizes with utmost sincerity and swears that there won't be a next time. Maybe he's forgotten, but I once told him that I'd only forgive him three times.

So, when he finishes apologizing and thinks life will return to the happy days it was before… It doesn't.

Yes, I forgive him, but I'm also taking Tobey and leaving him—forever.

The husband I, Sienna Hart, had wanted to spend the rest of my life with, hurt both me and our son three times over the same woman.

I forgave Caleb Price again and again, only to be met with his growing audacity.

When he once again tried to make amends in his own way, assuming I would naturally forgive him, I had already bought plane tickets for my son, Tobey, and me to leave.

…

The hospital room was already filled with toys and snacks that Tobey loved, but my husband, Caleb, was still instructing people to bring in a gaming console.

"My sweet boy Tobey, I had someone buy all these toys and the gaming console for you. What do you think? Do you like them?"

Tobey glanced at me before giving Caleb a polite smile. "Thank you, Daddy, but Mommy said I need to rest now and can't play games yet."

I walked to the door, shutting out the envious gazes from the people outside. Then, I opened the windows before approaching Caleb.

"Have someone remove the stuff later. The doctor said too many electronics aren't good for his rest," I said.

Caleb froze for a moment, clearly reluctant. He reached for my hand and said, "Sienna, saying that makes me look bad in front of our son. But it's okay. As long as you can truly forgive me, I'll do whatever you say."

I subtly pulled my hand away. "I forgive you."

Surprise and delight flickered across his face before it quickly gave way