Chapter 1I walked away with nothing in the divorce. Millions. Gone. Just to keep my two kids.
But when I was dying in that hospital bed? My son ripped out my oxygen tube.
"Dad died alone. Why do YOU get to lie here burning money staying alive?"
My sweet little girl? Looked at me like I was trash.
"If you hadn't dragged us away, we wouldn't be fatherless freaks!"
I stared at the ceiling. Almost laughed.
"He gambled everything away. You were starving with him. And he killed himself drunk driving—"
"SHUT UP!"
My son's face was red. "If you hadn't divorced him, he wouldn't have done any of that!"
So that was it.
Ten years. They blamed ME the whole time.
But now I'm back. Back at the divorce table. The day I signed it all away.
This time? I tore that shit to pieces.
"Keep the kids. I'm taking every cent."
Everyone froze.
I stood up. Smiled at them.
"Everything you owe me? You're paying it ALL back."
---
Hudson jumped first. Banged his fist on the table.
"What the fuck is wrong with you? Yesterday you were on your knees—said give me the kids, I don't want nothing else! What's this shit now?"
"Mr. Caldwell, don't listen to her. Just print another one."
My daughter Livvy grabbed my arm. Pissed.
"Mom, what're you doing? You want Dad beating our asses every day?"
"You said we leave him, we'd be okay. Grandma's waiting."
She pulled her sleeve up, showed the scar, started crying. Fake as hell.
Looking at them now? I didn't feel bad. Just sick.
Last time, Hudson lost everything gambling. Came home drunk, beat us up.
Assholes came for money. I borrowed from Mom just to eat.
I said I want out, I'm taking the kids. He flipped.
"You take 'em both, who cooks? Who cleans? Fuck that. Not signing."
The custody thing went on forever.
I won the first round. Came home.
Hudson was standing there with a pot of boiling water. "Accidentally" poured it on both kids right in front of me.
My son Jaxon's back bubbled up instantly.
"Leave with nothing, you get the kids."
"Or tomorrow I might spill something worse."
I stayed up all night. Sat right next to them. Scared out of my mind.
I dropped the case. Told him.
"Fine, take everything."
"Just let me have the kids."
I got the divorce papers. Hugged them so tight.
"Mom, don't worry. We're gonna work hard, make money, take care of you!"
Hearing that? I could take anything.
Started over. Worked my ass off. They never went without.
Right before I died? I finally got it. They didn't give a shit about me.
To them I wasn't their mom.
Just a fucking ATM.
"Dad didn't even do anything that bad. Why couldn't you just suck it up? You couldn't give us shit, so you screwed us!"
"You walked away with nothing playing hero, then only gave us three grand a month? We'd give a homeless dude more than that!"
"You know what people said about us? What you're dealing with now? Nothing compared to what we went through!"
They went off on me. Made me sound like the worst person alive.
That's when I got it.
I was never their mom to them.
Just a wallet.
"What'd he ever give you? He gambled everything away! That's why we're like this!"
I tried to sit up. Jaxon pushed me back down.
"At least with Dad people didn't call us bastards! Dad was broke but he LOVED us!"
"You wanted to be some girlboss, we had to suffer. You should've just paid for my shit—I would've gotten into USC. You fucked up my life!"
I had no idea.
All these years thought I was protecting them.
They hated me for it.
I stared at them. Pure hate in my eyes.
The lawyer coughed. Awkward as hell.
"Ms. Sawyer, please. Let's just calm down. We can figure something out."
I ignored him. Took a breath.
Not falling for this shit again.
"Nothing to figure out. Split everything fifty-fifty. I don't want the kids."
Jaxon freaked out.
"Mom! How can you be this cold? What'd we ever do? You're just gonna dump us and go live your life?"
I glared at him. He backed off. Voice got softer.
"Mom, for real. Me and Livvy will listen. To you and Grandma."
"We need you."
Used to fall for this every time.
Thought if they stayed with Hudson they'd end up like him—total losers.
That's why I gave up everything for custody.
But now?
Knowing they were just playing nice 'cause Grandma had more cash. Staying with me was easier than staying with Dad.
Last time, I did everything for them.
They were planning to go back and scam Grandma.
My chest hurt.
"Can't live without me? Or can't live without my money?"
I looked at Hudson.
"I'm redoing this. House, savings, car—fifty-fifty."
"You agree, we sign right now. You don't, court."
"And I'll tell your loan sharks exactly where you are."
Chapter 2
Hudson's face went white.
"You... you're threatening me?"
I stared at him. Cold.
"I got shit to do. No time for this. Sign or don't. Ten minutes."
I walked out. Didn't look back.
Waiting for the elevator. Phone buzzed. Reminder popped up.
"Jaxon's bandages. 1 PM today."
For a second I saw his back. All those blisters. Felt bad.
Started turning around.
"He's still my kid. Should help. Just this once."
Then I heard voices from inside.
Peeked through the crack. Kids were bitching to Hudson.
He was leaning back. Didn't give a shit.
"Your mom's all talk. I know her. She doesn't wanna divorce—just wants attention."
"She loves you guys too much. She's not leaving."
Jaxon rolled his eyes.
"So are you divorcing or what? I need that new graphics card."
Hudson smacked his back.
"You little shit, you want us to split?"
"I'm just scaring your mom. I get the cash, pay my debts, we're all set. Gonna live good."
The kids finally smiled.
"Dad, you better mean it."
"Once you get the money, I want those limited sneakers. And we're going overseas."
"I want the new iPhone. And designer bags!"
Hudson waved his hand.
"Yeah yeah, whatever."
My hands started shaking.
That sympathy I felt? Total joke.
I really thought the divorce messed them up. Made them insecure.
Nope. They were rotten the whole time.
Ungrateful little shits.
I pulled out my phone. Called my lawyer.
"Forget what I said. Fifty-fifty? Not enough. I want every cent Hudson owes me."
All these years I thought I was being generous.
Turns out I was feeding two black holes.
Last time I gave them three grand a month so they wouldn't notice anything changed. Starved so they could stay comfortable.
I pulled out my phone. Canceled all their cards.
Then called their teachers.
"Hey, we're pulling out of that Miami summer program."
"And cancel boxing and piano."
Let's see how they like living with a broke gambler.
Without those two sucking me dry, I felt lighter.
Over the years, I'd trusted Hudson too much. Half our stuff? He used it all for loans.
Those properties were mine before we got married. He used them without asking.
Didn't spend one dollar of that money on us or the kids.
He's paying for it.
I went home to pack and get out.
That's when I heard them coming in. Laughing. Arms full of designer bags.
My stomach dropped.
"Where'd you get money?"
Hudson didn't even look up.
"Your kid's smart. Found your debit card lying around. Got the PIN first try."
"Babe, didn't know you were hiding cash. Got more? Give it here. I gotta pay tomorrow."
I felt cold.
I always used their birthdays for passwords. Thought it was nice.
"Hudson. See you in court."
He was playing his new game. Didn't look up.
"You keep saying divorce like it means something. Who you trying to scare?"
"Kids are with me. You leave, you won't see them."
"Oh, and send me the rest of your money."
Even Livvy chimed in.
"Mom, seriously. Stop being dramatic."
"We don't wanna be from a broken home. Just give Dad the money. We can all stay together. That's better."
Better?
Better is getting away from you.
Looking at them—all that greed—made me wanna throw up.
My face went white. Grabbed the counter. Had to crouch down.
My "amazing" kids? Still hadn't looked at me once.
A week later they showed up at the summer program spot. All smiles.
Jaxon was wearing those limited sneakers.
Livvy had her new iPhone out, chin up like she ran the place.
They were eating up all the jealous looks. Acting like they were born for this.
"Move. We're VIP. Let us through."
Jaxon pushed some skinny kid aside. Sounded like a total asshole.
But the coordinator checked her list. Frowned.
"Um, your registration got canceled. Your mom didn't tell you?"
Chapter 3
Jaxon stared at her like she was crazy.
"You messed up. My mom paid for this months ago. She got us first-class tickets!"
The coordinator looked uncomfortable. Blocked their way.
"Our system shows Ms. Sawyer called to cancel. Said it was a family emergency. You couldn't go."
"You should ask her. Don't hold up everyone else."
Livvy screamed. Grabbed her arm.
"She can't just cancel! You didn't even tell us! I don't care—I'm going!"
Other kids crowded around.
Those jealous looks? Turned into laughing and whispering.
"Heard his mom dumped him. Won't even pay for camp."
"Those sneakers? Probably fake. Can't afford camp but still acting rich."
"So embarrassing. If you're not going, move."
Jaxon's face went red.
"That's bullshit! I got these at the mall. They're real!"
They'd been spoiled forever. Never got treated like this.
He called me like I was gonna save him.
"Mom! What the hell's going on? Me and Livvy are supposed to go to Miami—"
"I canceled."
"Deal with your dad. Nothing to do with me."
I hung up.
The other kids started saying worse shit.
Couple of them got into a fight.
Teacher called. I felt nothing.
"I'm divorced. He's got custody. Here's his number."
Same time, court papers got delivered to Hudson.
He was at some club. Using my card for drinks and whatever.
Saw the amount. $18.7 million. Court seal.
His face went white.
Kept saying "no way, no way" and trying to call me.
I'd blocked him.
Security was standing there with the bill. Just staring.
Hudson was sweating.
Then his phone rang. He grabbed it.
"Dad! Pay for camp! Kids made fun of me today! Even hit me!"
Hudson looked at who was calling.
"Why didn't they kill you, you little shits? All you do is beg for money. Get home."
"Your mom's suing us for eighteen million! Call her. Beg her. I don't have it!"
Hudson's voice was loud. Everyone in the club heard.
Past few days he'd been playing nice dad. Gave them whatever. Money, trips, games.
Now he's yelling at them? Their tears just stopped.
"Hudson! You just yelled at me!"
"I'm telling Mom! I'm done with you!"
Teacher told me all this. I wasn't surprised.
Those three? Same trash. All Bellamys.
Like father like son. Garbage raising garbage.
Hudson almost threw his phone. Stopped last second.
Put it back. Looked pathetic.
"Tell your mom I'm broke. She can have my corpse."
"She wants a divorce? Fine. Same deal. She gets the kids, I get everything."
"We're family. What's this 'premarital assets' bullshit? No."
The server was listening. Heard "I'm broke."
Called security.
"Security, guy in 103 might run without paying."
Hudson's face went from red to purple.
Outside, staff ready to grab him if he ran.
Inside, lawyer sitting there with a fake smile.
Hudson never handled this stuff himself.
Always pushed me forward when loan sharks showed up.
"She's got the money. Talk to her."
Then he'd threaten me.
"Deal with it. Kids come home soon. You want them seeing thugs at our door?"
Hudson knew how to control me.
Knew if he mentioned the kids, I'd give in.
Not anymore. No weak spots now.
I checked his spending on purpose. Had the lawyer show up right then.
Before that, changed all my passwords. Reported my cards lost.
The ones Hudson had? Dead.
Wanted to see how some broke asshole was gonna pay his bill.
Lawyer left. Hudson jumped up.
Tried to run. Two bouncers blocked the door.
"Sir. Pay your tab."
Hudson thought he still had a shot.
But three cards got declined. Front desk's face went cold.
Hudson's hands were shaking.
Right then, the kids started blowing up his phone.
If he wasn't in public, he would've lost it.
"No no no. No way! My wife's cards! Why won't they work?"
He pulled out every card he had. Slapped them on the counter.
"Try another one. Try all of them!"
Server smiled. Eyes said she was pissed.
Machine beeped. Once. Twice. Three times.
"Sir, got any other way to pay?"
Hudson's throat moved. Hands were soaked.
He looked at the door. Hoping the lawyer would come back.
Even if he couldn't pay, at least he could make a scene. Buy time.
But the door was empty.
Glass just showed him looking pathetic.
Then he heard footsteps. And a voice he knew.
"Yo, Hudson! Thought you were buying us drinks. Why you standing there looking lost?"
Hudson turned around.
Eddie Kozlov. His loan shark. Walking in with two guys. Grinning.
