My husband George conned our son Patrick into embezzling funds, just to pay off debts for his first love, Evelyn Miller. Then he turned around and reported Patrick to the police.

The day Patrick was arrested, he jumped off a building.

At that same time, George was off on a trip with Evelyn and her son, Jacob Miller. They posted photos on Instagram, all smiles.

George even added a caption: [Jacob says I'm better to him than his own dad. The kid's been through a lot. I swear I'll take care of him.]

Crushed, I held Patrick's urn close and called George. "What kind of a human being are you?"

George's reply was ice cold. "Patrick's young. A few years in jail won't kill him. But Evelyn needs to support Jacob. She can't afford any trouble."

***

His words left me gasping for air. Hot tears spilled onto the urn.

"George Lynch, just come back and let's get this divorce over with. You're disgusting," I spat out before hanging up, breaking down into tears.

Patrick was always a gentle soul, smart, excelled at school. After graduating, he landed a finance job at a big company.

I could never have imagined his own father would ruin him.

As Patrick stood on that roof, I screamed for him to come down.

Red-eyed and desperate, he cried out, asking why George would do this to him.

I found out that George, who'd always been cold to Patrick, suddenly got all cozy, begging him to free up some cash.

He promised he'd pay it back the next day.

It was the first time George had ever spoken kindly to Patrick, who couldn't stand to let his dad down, so he did it. He embezzled the money.

But once George got the money, he disappeared and even reported Patrick.

Patrick's reputation was ruined, and now he faced prison. Unable to bear the betrayal, he climbed to the roof.

Overwhelmed, he said, "Mom, didn't you say if I was good enough, Dad would love me?

I've tried my hardest all my life. But why did he do this to me?

Mom, sorry. But I can't take this betrayal!"

With that, he jumped.

No matter how much I screamed and cried, nothing changed.

But after Patrick died, George suddenly popped back up on Instagram.

He posted a picture of Evelyn with the caption: [Evelyn is still gorgeous. Though we never made it as a couple, don't worry, I've got your back. I'll handle your debts.]

He shared a picture of Jacob, adding: [Jacob says I'm better to him than his own dad. The kid's been through a lot. I swear I'll take care of him.]

I wept bitterly, screaming, "George, you're using the money you conned from Patrick to please your old flame?

You let your own son die to pamper her child?

Patrick, this is my fault.

I should've divorced that bastard George right from the start, not taught you to grovel to him like I did."

I took my time cleaning up Patrick's room.

I placed his urn on his desk and put his assembled model airplane next to it.

Patrick had always been such a good, thoughtful kid.

Even as a little boy, he was sensitive enough to notice that George didn't really care about us.

When Patrick asked about it, I'd just say, "Patrick, just be your best, and your dad will notice."

That became his cue to bury himself in his studies, giving up any other hobbies.

He always tried to reassure me, saying, "Don't worry, Mom. I'll ace every test. Eventually, Dad will treat us better, and you won't have to cry in secret."

Hearing this always brought me to tears, and I'd hug him tight.

Patrick always lived up to his word.

Even when I got him his favorite model airplane, he hid it away in his closet after putting it together. He said he didn't want to get distracted.

Now, I wished he hadn't been so mature, that he'd lived a little more for himself.

Right then, the front door opened.

I quickly wiped my tears and stepped out of the room to find George hauling in luggage.

Evelyn and her son, Jacob, were with him.

I was seething. My fists clenched so tightly my nails almost pierced my palms as I glared at George.

George just shot me an annoyed look. "Patrick's just in jail, not dead. Why the gloomy face? And you threatening me with divorce over the phone? That's laughable. Just go take care of these bags.

Evelyn's ex-husband left them in debt. It's paid off now, but they haven't found a place to stay yet. Give up the master bedroom for Evelyn. You can sleep in the guest room with me.

Since Patrick's locked up, his room is free. Let Jacob have it."

His words hit me like a truck, leaving me gasping for air.

Patrick's memory was still fresh, and here was George, trying to hand Patrick's room over to Jacob.

"George, forget about it. I want a divorce. Take them and get the hell out of this place!" I screamed, completely losing it.

George's face darkened immediately.

Evelyn looked shocked, her eyes brimming with tears as she clung to George. "George, Whitney's really scary. Did she get the wrong idea about us?

George, if Whitney doesn't want us here, I'll take Jacob and leave. We won't trouble you. Just let me and Jacob fend for ourselves out there."

Jacob glared at me, yelling, "You're so mean to my mom. How dare you?"

George immediately turned to Evelyn with concern, soothing her, "Evelyn, don't worry. I promised to take care of you, and I will."

Then he turned to me, his anger flaring. "Whitney, what's wrong with you? Evelyn and Jacob are already having a tough time. Why are you being so cruel to her?

Plus, this is my house. I decide who stays.

Just sort out their bags. There's a silk bedding set for Evelyn. She has delicate skin and is prone to allergies."

I found his words ridiculous.

Patrick had allergies too, but George had never shown him such care in all the years we were together.

Poor Patrick. He spent his whole life loving a father who not only didn't love him back but actively harmed him.

I stood still, my face set in a cold expression.

George's face grew even darker. "Whitney, what are you playing at?"

Evelyn sneered at me, her voice condescending, "A wife should listen to her husband. George, your wife is over the top. She's not showing you any respect.

If it were me, I'd have done whatever my husband asked without a second thought."

Jacob snorted. "Exactly. She's nowhere near as good as you, mom."

George, his face red with anger, barked, "Whitney, I'm talking to you. Are you deaf? Move it, or you'll regret it."

I stared back at him, a mix of rage and despair in my eyes. "How will you make me regret it? Today, there's no way you're taking over my son's room!"

George slapped me hard across the face. "Whitney, you really don't know when to quit. What use do I have for a wife who won't listen?"

Evelyn smirked with satisfaction. "That's right, George. A man has to assert himself. We're just friends, nothing more. But look at her, getting all jealous. It's pathetic."

"Absolutely, Mr. Lynch, she deserves it. You're a real man," Jacob chimed in.

George, smirking at the compliments, scoffed.

He then scoffed, "Whitney, I thought you'd treat Evelyn better, try to get along. But no, you had to get all jealous. You're ugly when you're jealous. And you thought you could threaten me with divorce, huh?

You think I'm scared?

Alright, you won't move? I'll get Jacob's room ready myself!"

George barged into Patrick's room.

I panicked and rushed after him, but Jacob grabbed me.