When I wouldn't budge, Hudson suddenly switched tactics. He popped the trunk and pulled out two designer handbags and a jewelry set.

"Look at these. Do you like them? Come on, don't be mad. Let's go home."

I didn't say a word.

After a beat of silence, he sighed. "Gabriel's condition has gotten worse. Bianca cries herself to sleep every night—it's heartbreaking. Luna, you're a mother too. How can you just stand by and let her lose her child? Just help her. It's only a kidney."

And there it was. The sudden kindness was never for me.

Bianca left Hudson years ago when he had nothing. I was the one who stuck around, drained my savings, and spent a decade building a life with him. I actually believed he loved me back. But his heart had never been mine.

The second she returned, he forgave everything. And I lost before I even got to fight.

A wave of disgust twisted in my gut. Without another glance at him or Talia, I turned and walked away.

Two days later, Micah's parents got sick and asked me to pick him up from school and take him to the hospital.

At the school gate, I ran into Talia—along with Bianca, who had come to pick her up.

One of Talia's classmates spotted me and snickered. "Talia, your maid is here to pick you up again!"

Maid? So that's what she told people.

The kids turned to Bianca, eyes lighting up. "Wow, your mom is so pretty!"

Talia lifted her chin, smug. "Of course. My mom's the best."

Bianca smirked, then mouthed at me: 'You're a failure. Even your daughter looks down on you. She doesn't see you as her mother at all.'

Just then, Micah sprinted out of the school, grinning as he threw himself into my arms.

"Ms. Lanford! You're picking me up? Thank you!" He unzipped his backpack, pulling out an empty container. "The cookies you made were amazing! My classmates couldn't stop talking about them—they ate every last one!

"You're a great teacher, an amazing cook, and so kind. Everyone's jealous I have you as my tutor!"

I smiled, ruffling his hair. But just as we turned to leave, terrified screams ripped through the air.

Chaos erupted. My head snapped around—there, by the school gate, a man wielding a knife was attacking people at random.

"Help! There's a murderer!"

Adrenaline hit. I scooped Micah into my arms and ran.

Behind me, Talia's panicked screams rang out. "Bianca! Help me!"

I glanced back. She was on the ground, the knife-wielding man closing in fast. Bianca? She was already gone, bolting for her own life without a single glance back.

Talia turned to me next. "Fat woman! Come back and save me! If you do, I'll forgive you!"

I didn't stop. Holding Micah tight, I kept running.