Chapter 3

At bedtime, I pulled a second blanket from the cabinet. Gary walked in and paused when he saw it lying on the bed.

"What are you doing?" Annoyance flickered across his face. "Haven't I told you already? Zoey and I are just old friends."

"I think I'm coming down with something. Wouldn't want to get you sick," I said, wrapping myself snugly in the blanket.

"Do you want some medicine?" Gary asked as he walked over.

I shook my head. "Just a bit of a headache. I'll be fine after some sleep."

I turned off the bedside lamp on my side.

After a while, the mattress dipped beside me. I felt his breath near my ear as his arm slid around my waist.

This was how he always liked to sleep.

I pulled the covers over my head, thinking about what I needed to do tomorrow.

The next morning, I made breakfast and went to wake Harley, only to find him already up and almost ready to go. A rare sight.

Gary was standing in front of the mirror, fixing his hair and humming a tune.

He even reached for that bottle of perfume he'd given me a few years back and spritzed some on.

Noticing my gaze, Gary set the bottle down and muttered, "It will expire anyway- might as well use it."

"Breakfast's ready," I said, pretending not to see through his lie.

"This again? I'm eating out," Harley said, casting a quick glance at the table, then looking toward Gary with a smirk.

Gary shot me a glance. "Your mom's not feeling well, but she still made you breakfast. Just eat at home."

"It's okay. You two go ahead. I'll eat by myself," I said, stepping in before the silence could grow heavier.

Harley seemed delighted, while Gary hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but held back.

I had already turned and walked into the kitchen.

"Don't you love the sandwiches your mom make, Harley? I'll pack a couple in case you get hungry," Gary said, hurrying in to grab a bag.

I stayed quiet, watching them leave without a word. Then I stepped out onto the balcony.

From the fifth-floor balcony, I had a clear view. I watched as Gary walked past the trash bin and, without hesitation, tossed the bag right in.

I stood there for a long time, motionless. By the time the ache crept into my legs, the sun was already high overhead.

While cleaning the house, I came across a pair of shoes with peeling soles. That was when it hit me- I hadn't bought myself new shoes in two years. I'd just been wearing Harley's old cast-offs.

By the time they returned in the evening, I had just finished making dinner. For once, Gary stepped into the kitchen.

"Hey, I got you something," he said, holding out a gift.

I turned to see him holding a gold necklace.

"Let me put it on," Gary said, fastening it around my neck. Then he smiled. "You look beautiful."

I looked down at the glittering necklace. It felt like the first gift he'd given me since Harley was born.

"Wearing gold doesn't make you any less of a washed-up old mom," Harley said casually, leaning against the doorframe.

I lowered my gaze, deciding not to respond. Gary, however, scolded him. "Is that how you talk to your mother?"

Harley smirked. "Well, it's true."

I couldn't understand it- how could the child I'd given everything to be the one to hurt me the most?

Gary tried to comfort me. "He's just a kid. Don't let it get to you. I'll teach him a lesson."

Had he forgotten? Harley was my son too. And yet, somehow, the way he spoke made me feel like I didn't belong.