Chapter 1 Four’s a Crowd
On the tenth year of our marriage, an old friend posted a photo.
His son and my daughter, each cradled in the arms of their respective parents— him and my wife.
The four of them huddled close
together. The caption read:
“There’s nothing better than having a loving family.”
I left a comment: “Look good together.”
Moments later, the post was deleted.
The next day, my wife burst into the house and confronted me. “Henry Sue just started to feel better–why would you provoke him like that?”
My daughter even shoved me, scolding, “It’s all your fault! You made Andy cry!”
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I threw the divorce papers in front of them.
“Sure, blame me. So I’ll step aside and leave you four to be a happy family.”
I had printed the divorce agreement just thirty minutes ago.
Before that, I’d spent the entire night sitting on the living room couch.
The table was still set with a dozen carefully prepared dishes, untouched.
The Ultraman–themed cake had long since melted into a sludgy mess.
Yesterday was my daughter Tammy’s birthday.
My wife, Linda, had specifically asked me to stay home and get everything ready–she would pick up Tammy to
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celebrate together.
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But the only thing I ended up seeing was Henry’s happy–family post.
What a joke.
Linda hadn’t expected me to bring up divorce. She frowned, ripped the agreement to pieces, and snapped, clearly annoyed:
“Chase, what’s with the drama now? I just took Tammy to see Henry and forgot to tell you, that’s all.”
She glanced at the table full of food, guilt flickering in her eyes.
Her tone softened.
“Okay, okay, I forgot to call you last night. My bad. I’ll be more mindful in the future.
“I’ll clean up here. Go catch some sleep,
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and I’ll take you and Tammy out for lunch later.”
She always did this–slap me with one hand, offer a candy with the other.
She knew she had crossed a line, but she never apologized. She just gave me an easy way out.
And if I didn’t take it, she’d give me the silent treatment until I caved.
I used to cave first, every time. But this time, I just pulled out another copy of the divorce agreement and tossed it onto the coffee table.
“I printed dozens of them. Rip away.”
Linda was so furious that she smashed a
bowl.
She glared at me. “Let’s be real–you’re just jealous Andy likes Henry more than
you.
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“Chase, don’t forget, you owe him.
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“Andy and I only take care of him and his son to make up for your mistakes.”
Make up for what? What mistakes did I make?
Henry and I were best friends, thick as thieves. The summer before our senior year, he invited me out.
It was already late by the time we were heading back. Henry insisted on taking a shortcut—he said a friend was waiting for him there.
So we split up.
Next morning, Linda stormed into my house, grabbed me by the collar.
She demanded to know why I
abandoned Henry. Why didn’t I call the
police?
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I was completely baffled. I had no idea what had happened.
Later, I found out that Henry had been jumped in that alley. His legs were broken by a group of thugs.
He claimed those guys were after me, and that he only went down that path to face them with me. That I shoved him toward them and ran.
He lied.
I tried to defend myself, but no one believed me. The security cameras were conveniently busted, and just like that, I became the scapegoat.
From that moment on, I was branded
the villain.
My parents, obsessed with appearances, scolded me for being heartless. Linda called me cold–blooded.
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Their sympathy for me evaporated— redirected toward Henry in the name of “atonement.”
They even took my child away from me, saying I was morally unfit to raise her.
That’s why Tammy and I have always been distant.
But I love her. I’ve tried so hard to fix
what we have.
I looked at Tammy. She was staring back
at me.
Her eyes were icy, even a little disgusted -like I was her enemy.
“You ruined Mom and Mr. Henry’s lives. If it weren’t for you, Mr. Henry would be my dad.”
My body swayed. The pain was sharp
and deep.
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“Who told you that?”
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Tammy frowned. “Isn’t it true?”
I looked at Linda.
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Even then, I still held out hope she’d say something–anything.
But she just looked away.
“Tammy’s always believed that if it weren’t for what happened, I would’ve married Henry.”
If this were before, I would’ve demanded answers.
She was my childhood sweetheart. I was the one who introduced her to Henry. I was her boyfriend, not him.
But now, none of that mattered.
Tammy could think whatever she wanted. She wouldn’t be my concern
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anymore.
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I picked up my suitcase and headed for the door.
“When you’re ready, I’ll see you at the civil affairs office.” The next morning, Linda stormed into my house and
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