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Chapter 4 You’re Really Something
Caroline came to the apartment she’d bought before tying the knot.
Back in college, while cashing in on that Martin family
scholarship money, she’d hustled through all sorts of jobs and side gigs as a translator. Living simply meant she’d stashed away a decent chunk of money.
This place was her little escape pod, totally off Caleb and the Martin family’s radar.
She’d been away for ages, so everything was now dusty.
Even though it was just 500 square feet, getting it back to tidy was no walk in the park. By the time she finished deep cleaning that joint, the sun had already dipped.
Caroline ordered some takeout, then dialed a number.
The call was connected in a flash.
“You still got tickets for the International Game Expo this month? I’d like to check it out.”
“For real?” An ice–cold voice came back at her. “You said the same thing all the time. I saved tickets for you, and you just never came. You know how many people dream of getting one? You straight up wasted them!”
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This annual expo was insanely popular, even participating companies only got fewer than five tickets each. Everyone in the company was ready to throw hands for one.
Caroline caught that salt in his voice and smiled awkwardly, “My bad, always got caught up. But I promise I’ll be there this time. Desperate to see how AI has advanced in this field.”
“Alright. Last chance, no cap,” he said before hanging up.
Looking at her black screen, Caroline’s face got all twisted with that half–smile.
Back in college, she’d started this small company with her squad, and by graduation, it had already taken on a certain scale. Then marriage and mom life hit, and she got benched to silent partner status.
Six whole years her crew kept grinding without her.
Their shared pipe dreams got derailed because of her. Their company nearly went under multiple times, but somehow, they kept it floating.
Family routines had her ghosting them hard–they’d be lucky to get a text from her once every few months.
Now, she was trying to get back to that old hunger.
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Being MIA from the game world so long made Caroline a bit afraid about rejoining–figured her old crew probably leveled up way past her. Plus, she was mad behind on industry stuff, worried she might end up being dead weight.
So, this expo was her golden ticket to catch up on what she’d missed.
That night, she didn’t hit up any family members, and nobody came at her either. After getting ready for bed, she hit the sack.
Ever since they got married, Caleb had never bothered to contact her. Even when Dominic moved back in, nothing changed.
To them, Caroline was like a live–in maid: there when needed but easily brushed aside.
Deep into the night, Caleb dragged himself home, dog–tired.
He noticed Dominic curled up on the couch, face all puffy and tear–stained, rocking that pouty look between pissed and hurt.
“Dominic, why are you still up?”
Usually, Dominic should’ve been knocked out by now.
What on earth is Caroline thinking?
Letting our kid stay up this late? She’s gone too far!
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Dominic looked up at his dad, fresh tears ready to drop. He threw himself into Caleb’s arms. “Daddy! Mom said something bad at school, and now everyone’s avoiding me! They’re calling me an ungrateful little twerp!”
Caleb’s heart straight–up broke. He gently ruffled Dominic’s hair and tried to soothe him. “Don’t worry. Your mom will take you to school and fix this mess next Monday.”
“Really?”
Dominic stretched his neck back, locking eyes with his dad. When Caleb met that look with a nod, the kid finally chilled a bit.
After getting Dominic tucked in, Caleb scoped out the house. Something was sus–way too quiet. He frowned in annoyance.
“Caroline!” Caleb hollered up the stairs.
Amanda came shuffling out of the kitchen with some warm milk. “Mr. Martin, Mrs. Martin’s on a business trip.”
“Business trip?” Caleb’s face said it all.
He ain’t sending Caroline on any damn trip.
He whipped out his phone and hit Caroline’s line.
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It kept ringing till he was about to lose his cool. Finally, she picked up.
“Hello?” Her voice was all sleepy and sluggish.
Dead obvious she’d been sleeping like the dead.
Caleb was seeing red.
Leaving Dominic home alone like he ain’t matter…
What kind of trash mom she is?
“Caroline, where the hell are you?” Caleb gritted his teeth, trying not to pop off.
The line went dead quiet, then she came back with that toxic laugh. “Look who’s playing concerned husband while forgetting about his ‘childhood sweetheart‘. Been free at work today, huh?”
Her shade made him even more furious. He groaned, “Last time I’m asking. Where are you?
Some rustling sound came from her side, then Caroline let out a sardonic chuckle. “If you ain’t got nothing important, just hang up.”
“You’re taking Dominic to school next Monday. Your BS got him getting iced out by his classmates!”
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Caroline clapped back like she couldn’t care less. “And that’s my problem now? He never wanted me there anyway. Of course I’m not as good at this mom stuff as Michelle!”
“Caroline! Knock it off! You did this just because you couldn’t take part in the kids‘ sports day?
“Michelle’s going through it mentally. The doctor said being around kids helps her cope–that’s why she stepped up! Ever wonder why Dominic likes Michelle better than you? Think about it!”
Caleb was about to explode. If Dominic wasn’t there, he’d have let loose with a full–blown yell.
Caroline felt a tickle in her nose and grabbed a tissue to rub it
away.
Even though she was used to Caleb’s cutting words, they still stung like a bee, rekindling that familiar pain in her heart.
Caroline’s voice cracked, a twisted smile playing on her lips. “Caleb, never knew you’re quite a master at shifting blame.
“Dominic and I don’t mesh, but that’s your mom’s doing, isn’t it? And Michelle’s crazy or not? None of my business.”
“Caroline!”
“CALEB!”
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She went full volume this time, trying to drown out the dumpster fire in her head.
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When the line went quiet, she continued, “Did you even look at what I left for Amanda? If you had, we wouldn’t be having this pointless call.”
Click. The call dropped.
Caleb death–stared his phone, confusion and rage doing the tango.
“What did Mom say?” Dominic tugged his sleeve, eyes all puppy–dog hopeful.
Caleb swallowed hard and turned to Amanda. “She leaves anything?”
Amanda’s brain clicked after a beat. She put down the warm milk and fished out a brown envelope. “Mrs. Martin said it was major–had to hit your hands directly.”
Grabbing it, Caleb flashed back to Caroline trying to hand him something last night.
Could this be it?
His face went dark as he ripped it open. The words “divorce agreement” hit him like a truck.
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