When I went to buy a new house, all I found was crumpled newspaper where my savings should've been.

I almost called the cops—until I found out Tony Jarrett, my own husband, had blown seven years of my hard-earned cash on a shiny new motorcycle.

For Pauline Schmidt.

His ex.

I asked why. He just shrugged. "She's a single mom. Life's tough. This way, she won't have to walk so much."

I wanted to scream, but I swallowed it down. Made him at least get an IOU from her.

While I was busy sourcing stuff for the factory, a flood warning hit our town.

And Tony? Out buying toy cars with Pauline and her kid. Our son was home alone, trying to stay above water.

I was back. Like life hit rewind and dropped me into that exact day. The day he gave her the motorcycle.

I saw them—laughing, tight, like their own little picture-perfect family. But I didn't cry this time. Didn't beg. Just turned and walked off.

Back in Greydale, I returned to our beat-up house with Luca—my little boy. Tony Jarrett wasn't home yet. The front door groaned like it hated being touched.

Out on the line, a floral dress and some flashy kids' clothes fluttered—freshly washed and definitely new.

The stuff I'd washed yesterday? Dumped on the ground, stomped over and caked in dust.

Ryan, Pauline Schmidt's kid, was posted up on that new motorcycle, playing like he owned the world.

Luca dropped my hand and ran toward it. Right as he reached out, Ryan shoved him hard—sent him straight to the dirt.

I rushed over and scooped Luca up.

Pauline strolled out, all casual, stopping by the motorcycle with this smug little smile. "Sorry, Zoe. Ryan's just a kid—he didn't mean it. Tony told him to guard the motorcycle before he left, so he panicked.

"My bad too, I was busy with laundry. Tony said new clothes need washing before wearing.

"He probably got some for you and Luca too, right? Want me to wash 'em for you?"

She sounded sweet, but her eyes sparkled like she'd just won.

Classic. Every time Tony got paid, he'd splurge on her and Ryan first. Me and Luca? Same old hand-me-downs for years.

When school started, I asked Tony to get Luca a couple fresh outfits. He called me vain, said I'd spoiled him.

Told me we needed to save for a house. But most of his paycheck? Straight to buying trendy clothes—for them.

I spent seven years stacking up savings to buy us a new place—he blew it all on a motorcycle to chauffeur them around.

He always said Pauline lost her husband young and was our neighbor, so we had to help her.

That "help" turned into a lifelong charity project.

Thinking about it made my chest tighten. I picked Luca up and headed inside to make dinner.

It was ready by the time Tony strolled in, holding a piece of premium steak.

Luca lit up and reached for it. Tony yanked it back like it was gold.

Our eyes locked. Guilt flashed across his face.

"Luca, be good. I'll get you a steak next month, okay? This one's for Pauline. She asked me to bring it."

Luca's smile faded. He dropped his gaze and shuffled back to my side.

Tony paused, bit his lip, then grabbed a knife and sliced the steak in two.

"Zoe, give this half to Luca. I'll take the rest to Pauline."

That steak? Pauline didn't ask for it. She blew every paycheck on clothes—never food.

Luca stared at the half-slice, then gripped my leg tight. His voice was soft. "I don't want it. You can have it, Dad."

Tony froze. His expression turned sour. "Zoe, what lies have you been feeding him now? You won't stop till he's just like you—cold and selfish."

Then he turned on Luca. "And you—I pay for your education so you learn some respect. Not to sit around whining like a victim. Maybe you don't need school at all! And forget meat—if you won't eat, I'm done buying it for you!"

Luca flinched. Tears streamed down his cheeks, but he stood tall and stared right at him. "Dad, today Ryan pushed me."

Tony scoffed, shooting us both a dirty look. "Yeah, right. Another one of your mom's little tricks. You two make a great team—always playing the same sad game."

***

After Tony stormed out, Luca looked up at me, tear tracks still fresh on his cheeks.

"Mom, is Dad Ryan's dad too?"

That one cut deep.

Back then, I never understood why Tony bent over backward for Pauline and Ryan. Not until the end—when everything clicked. They'd been promised to each other since they were kids. Grew up side by side. Even after her family called it off, Tony never really let her go.

I crouched down, ran my hand through Luca's hair. "It's okay, baby. Mommy loves you."

After dinner, Pauline batted her lashes and begged Tony to teach her how to ride the motorcycle.

Their laughter echoed through the yard while I cleared the table, ready to bathe Luca and tuck him in—only to realize he was gone.

I found him crouched in the corner, trying to scrub the dusty clothes from earlier. My chest clenched. I stepped forward to bring him in.

Then Pauline's voice pierced the night.

"Tony, is this how you twist the throttle?"

Seconds later, the motorcycle launched—straight at Luca.

"Luca!" I screamed, diving for him.

Too late.

Pauline slammed into the water tank. The motorcycle ran over Luca's foot as he scrambled to get out of the way.

He hit the ground, crying out in pain.

Tony and I rushed over at the same time. He was all frantic, fumbling to lift Luca. "Luca, where does it hurt? Don't be scared, I'll get you to the hospital."

Then he saw her—Pauline, sprawled beside the motorcycle.

She didn't say a word, but her eyes begged him to pick her.

Tony froze.

Only then did she start crying. "Tony, I'm fine. Go with Luca. It's my fault. Even if my leg's broken, I deserve it."

My stomach twisted. I grabbed his arm. "Tony, I'll take Luca. Just give me the money."

I wasn't even asking him to come. Just pay. The motorcycle had already swallowed everything I had.

Tony glanced at Pauline, then handed Luca over, eyes never meeting mine—or his.

"Luca's young. He'll bounce back. But if Pauline's leg's broken, she won't be able to care for Ryan. If there's anything left, I'll take Luca in."

***

Watching Tony ride off with Pauline and Ryan felt like someone punched a hole straight through my chest.

In the end, I had to borrow money from my boss, Mr. Baxter, just to get Luca treated.

We passed Tony in the hospital hallway—he didn't even look at us.

It wasn't until the doctor finished patching Luca up that I finally exhaled.

Sitting in that hallway, watching nurses rush past, my mind drifted back to when I first met Tony.

It was at a cousin's wedding—he was a groomsman, I was a bridesmaid.

After that, he somehow kept "bumping into me" after work, like clockwork.

He said he was worried about me walking home alone after late shifts, so he'd follow from a distance, just to make sure I was safe.

When word got out I was on the factory's layoff list, he slipped my team leader a whole year's salary to keep me on.

I didn't find out any of it until after we got married—through gossiping relatives.

They said Tony, with his job at the research institute, was a total catch. Every woman wanted him.

And me? I was just the lucky one who landed him.

At first, he really was good to me. Never spent a dime on himself, but made sure I had nice clothes and our baby had the best formula money could buy.

Then Pauline moved in next door.

He said she was just a friend. Then it turned into how tragic her life was—widowed, raising a kid alone. He just wanted to help.

I didn't think much of it. I said okay.

But then he started spending more and more time over there—sometimes forgetting to cook for Luca. That's when it started to hurt.

I asked him to pull back. He lost it.

Called me selfish. Disgusting.

After that, he stopped helping around the house and started going to Pauline's in broad daylight.

He even went behind my back to my company, took an advance on my salary—six months' worth—and handed it over to some agency to find Pauline a job.

If Mr. Baxter hadn't believed in me, I would've been out.

When I confronted Tony, he just scoffed. "You're seriously making a scene over this? No wonder Luca's so messed up—he gets it from you."

I wiped my tears. That was the moment I decided—no more. I wasn't letting this man drag me or Luca down any further.

Right then, Tony showed up, voice like ice.

"I talked to the doctor. He said you already paid. Zoe Zander, you're disgusting. If you had the money, why'd you ask for Pauline's treatment funds? She nearly broke her leg!"

I stood up and locked eyes with him. "And what—Luca's not your kid? You don't think it's your job to cover his treatment? 'Nearly broke her leg'? Did you even hear the doctor say Luca has a fracture?"