Chapter 1I wasted thirty years on my husband. At fifty, he dropped the bomb: he was in love with his student.
Thought it was a phase. Midlife crisis bullshit. No way was I signing those papers.
His little girlfriend? Gave up on him. Married some rich guy overseas.
Day of her wedding, my husband had a breakdown. Crashed his car. Ended up in a wheelchair.
I took care of him for fifteen years after that.
Right before he died, he grabbed my hand, shaking: "Biggest regret of my life? Marrying YOU. Should've been with HER from the start."
Our kids blamed ME for his death.
Later, I ended up paralyzed too.
My son—big-shot CEO. My daughter—fancy overseas degree. They dumped me in the cheapest nursing home in the city.
When I died, they dumped my ashes in a ditch. Looked relieved.
"If it wasn't for YOU, Dad would've had the life he deserved. You ruined him, you evil bitch."
When I opened my eyes again, I was back to THAT day. The confession.
This time?
Go get your student, Hubby.
Kids, you can have a mom who's not "evil."
I'm done playing the villain.
---
Six in the morning, I'm already prepping for this big Sunday dinner.
Made the meatloaf. Mashed the potatoes. Baked the mac and cheese from scratch. Every damn casserole and side dish.
Whole day trapped in that kitchen. My back's killing me.
My husband Derek? Either locked in his study "working" or outside messing with his lawn.
My son Chase showed up first. Brought his dad this expensive scotch and a box of cigars.
Then he turned to me, handed over a grocery bag. Inside? Bunch of brown, mushy fruit.
"Got these last month. Kelsey said we weren't gonna eat 'em. Told me to just bring 'em over."
He said it like it was no big deal.
I didn't say anything. Just took the bag to the kitchen.
My daughter Paige got there next.
Kids sat around their dad, laughing and talking.
Perfect family picture—except I'm standing there like some extra nobody invited.
Food finally hits the table.
Chase raised his glass: "Dad, to you. Real talk—everything I know about business? Got it from you. Company would be toast without that. You're not just my dad—you're the guy I wanna be."
Paige got up too. "Dad, seriously. We owe all this to you. Cheers."
Three drinks in, Paige grabbed some food, made a face. "Mom, oof, way too salty."
Guess they all forgot—supposed to be here for MY birthday.
"Look, I gotta tell you something."
Derek threw back his drink, set the glass down hard. Like he'd been holding this in forever.
"Rain, look... I'm into someone else. One of my students."
"Been going on a while. She's young, she needs someone stable. I wanna... I wanna be that for her."
My grip on the fork got tighter.
Before I could say anything, Chase jumped up: "Dad! Dude, finally! That's ballsy as hell. Most people wouldn't have the guts. I'm with you, man. A hundred percent."
Paige started clapping. "Oh my god, yes! Dad's getting another shot! Let's toast! Screw what people think!"
All three raised their glasses.
Just me sitting there quiet. Like I wasn't even there.
"Mom, way to kill the vibe."
"Seriously, Dad's actually happy with someone. Shouldn't you be glad?"
They're looking at me like I'm being a total brat.
I looked at the food sitting there, going cold. Laughed—sounded bitter even to me.
Then pulled this beat-up divorce paper from my pocket.
"Fine. You want her that bad? Go ahead. Take her."
Chapter 2
Dead silent.
Derek clearly didn't see that coming. His voice actually cracked a little: "Rain, seriously? You're okay with this?"
I slid the papers over. Didn't say shit.
Seeing me that unbothered? Messed with their heads.
Derek snatched up the paper, started flattening out all the wrinkles like it was precious.
Dude was thrilled about how the money worked out.
The Pasadena place? My dad left me that before I married this guy.
Everything else? He could have it. We'd split the savings fifty-fifty. Whatever. I had my pension. I'd be fine.
Mostly just didn't wanna deal with him anymore.
Derek was about to sign, saw my name already there. Pen stopped for a second.
Then he scribbled his signature like the paper was gonna disappear.
Like if he waited one more second, I'd change my mind.
Only then did Chase stand up and pour me my first drink all day.
"Mom, finally. Look, Dad's got a right to be happy too, okay?"
Paige was already bugging him about meeting this woman. "Mom, Sienna's obsessed with lobster. Next time get the fancy ones, the huge ones..."
I cut her off, kept my face blank. "It's late. You guys need to leave."
Chase's fork froze halfway to his mouth.
Paige's smile went stiff.
After they left, I grabbed one of Derek's fancy bottles from the wine fridge.
Sat there with all that untouched food and drank it down.
Didn't feel like cleaning. So I went to bed.
No loud-as-hell snoring. Nobody getting up to pee five times. I slept like a baby.
Next morning, woke up when I felt like it. Threw on some workout clothes, went for a walk around the neighborhood.
Came back, took my sweet time tidying up. Made myself toast, fried two eggs, brewed real coffee.
Last time around, I was up at five every single morning. Feeding my paralyzed husband. Changing his diapers. Wiping him down. Massaging his legs so they wouldn't cramp up...
Never had time for breakfast before rushing out to pick up my grandson from preschool, then heading to Paige's condo downtown to clean and cook dinner for her.
At night, back home to do the whole routine again.
Day after day. No end to it.
A peaceful morning like this? Couldn't remember the last time I had one.
I opened the closet and packed all Derek's stuff into boxes.
When I was done, only had a few faded, outdated clothes left hanging there.
Last time, just because Derek said: "Rain, I'm at USC, okay? I gotta be a role model. Can't be out here spending like crazy."
So yeah, I wore the same coat for fifteen years. Same jeans for eight.
But when his student Sienna got engaged? Dude gave her eighty-eight thousand bucks. Just like that.
After I dropped the stuff at the shipping place, went straight to Glendale Galleria.
Rest of my life? Not holding back anymore.
And who do I run into at Nordstrom? Sienna. Chase and Paige trailing right behind her.
Second they spotted me, their smiles just... stopped. Super awkward.
Chapter 3
Sienna spoke first: "Rain! Hey! It's been forever. You here alone?"
"Aw, look at these two. I said they didn't have to come, but nope, they wouldn't hear it."
"Chase went crazy today."
I looked at the pile of designer bags in Chase's hands.
Then thought about that sack of rotten fruit. Just felt sick.
Sienna walked over and grabbed the dress I'd been looking at.
"Oh wow, this color's perfect on me! How much? I'll take it."
"I was looking at that first."
Chase didn't even hesitate. "Mom, come on, that dress is way too nice for you. Let Sienna have it."
Paige was even bitchier. "Yeah Mom, at your age? That's just sad. Like, know your limits."
Sienna played innocent: "Oh stop, everyone wants to look good. But Rain, honey, this just isn't really you, you know? Ma'am, I'll take this."
"Wait."
The husband? She could have him. The kids? They could call her Mom for all I cared.
But this dress? It was mine. Meant something.
Right as I was about to pay, Paige shoved me from behind.
I crashed into a whole rack of clothes.
Pain shot up my back—right where I had that surgery a few years ago.
While I was down, Chase took the chance to pay for Sienna's stuff.
He turned around, looked at me on the ground. His face went soft for like half a second. "Mom, this is on you. Trying to compete with Sienna? Really?"
Then they bounced. All three of them hovering around her like some kind of security detail.
This salesgirl came over and helped me stand up. "Ma'am, Jesus, are you alright? Should I call 911?"
She looked terrified. Probably thought I was gonna sue. "Nah, I'm fine. Really."
Outside the mall, I saw them waiting for their ride.
When they spotted me, Chase and Paige immediately moved in front of Sienna like shields.
Ignored them. I walked to the curb, put my hand up for a cab.
"Rain, Chase got us a ride. You coming?"
"Nah."
"Rain, come on, don't be like that..." Sienna acted like she was gonna grab me, then got right in my face and whispered:
"Your kids? Yeah, they call me Mom now. Have been for months."
"God, you're pathetic. Lost Derek, now you're losing them too. Honestly, if I was you? I'd crawl in a hole and die."
I looked at this bitch's face. My hand came up.
Years ago, I actually felt bad for her. Girl was broke, eating ramen every night. I had her over all the time, fed her, gave her money.
Now look at her. Throwing it all back in my face?
I was about to smack her when Chase grabbed my wrist, twisted it hard.
"You crazy bitch! Knew you were gonna pull some shit!"
"Chase, you hear what she just said?"
I stood up straight, looked right at him.
"She said you guys call her Mom now. Said I'm pathetic."
Chase just stood there. Something flashed across his face. Then after a beat:
"And? She's not wrong."
I couldn't believe this.
"Sienna's young, hot, has a PhD from Stanford. You? You're basically a housekeeper. You're not good enough to be our mom."
Even though I'd already written them off, hearing him say it like that—felt like I got punched.
Right then some truck came flying down the road, totally out of control.
Didn't even think—just moved to push Chase away.
But Chase and Paige? They dove for Sienna. Shoved me into the street.
I hit the asphalt. Last thing I heard:
"Mom—"
