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?"

I kept going, "If she hadn't pushed to ride the motorcycle, would any of this have happened?"

Tony looked at me like I was dirt.

"So this is about the motorcycle? If you hate this house so much, then leave. Pauline's lease just ended anyway."

***

When I brought Luca home from the hospital, all our stuff was already dumped outside. Pauline and her son had moved in.

"Zoe, what are you doing back? Tony said you weren't coming, so I moved in," she said, all casual.

Before I could respond, she spun around and came back out with Ryan. "Well, I guess we'll leave then. But I'm no beggar."

I didn't get why she said that—until I heard Tony behind me.

"Zoe, you're the beggar here! I told Pauline to move in. This house is mine. You don't get a say! Pauline, take the kid and go inside. I decide who stays here."

Pauline shot me a look, all fake sympathy. "But... where will Zoe and Luca live?"

Tony snapped, "Wherever they want. It's not my problem!"

Then he shot me a look like I was trash, walked over to Pauline, and handed her a cloth bag.

She caught me staring, yanked the bag from him—and dropped it.

For a split second, guilt flashed across Tony's face.

I stood there, calm, just watching her put on a show. Maybe that ticked Tony off, because he suddenly exploded.

"Why are you still here? Get out!"

I didn't say a word. Just packed up what was ours—and dumped anything he'd ever given us. Then I walked away with Luca, head high.

A few steps out, I still heard Pauline whining. "I always see Zoe at the department store with her boss. They must be close. I'm sure she's got somewhere to go.

"But Tony, did you really kick her out just for me? What if she complains to her boss and he talks to mine?

"Oh, and there's a promotion at the store, but they're worried I won't focus without a husband to help with Ryan, so... I probably won't get it..."

I didn't stick around to hear the rest.

After leaving the house, I went straight to the company and asked for Mr. Baxter.

"Mr. Baxter, I'm ready to transfer to the new branch in Avenville."

His face lit up. "Perfect. That place is a joint project—I need someone solid to run it. Your dad and I go way back, and I trust you. Don't worry, you'll get your base salary plus a cut of the profits."

Once it was official, I moved into the company dorms with Luca while I wrapped up my tasks.

A week later, Tony showed up.

His first words?

"Let's get a divorce. I need to fake-marry Pauline so she can get the job. After that, I'll remarry you."