On the way to pick up the kids after buying vegetables, I happened to pass by the park and saw my husband.
He was sitting on a bench, eating an ice cream cake with our two children.
Sitting beside them, laughing and chatting, was a face I hadn't seen in years—my first love.
Her name was Sophie Summers. She looked almost exactly the same, only more polished, more radiant.
She spoke animatedly, telling them about her time studying abroad.
There was a glow in her eyes and a gentle warmth in her smile.
When their eyes met—hers and Ethan Howard’s—I felt something shift inside me.
Something quiet but undeniable.
It was like a thread snapping loose in my chest.
At that moment, I realized:
My marriage to Ethan might have already come to an end.
——
I stood there quietly, my hands still full of groceries.
I didn’t interrupt them.
They looked like a family—one that didn’t include me.
I simply turned around and carried the vegetables home by myself.
Back at the house, the children’s voices echoed in my ears.
They were still asking for squirrel mandarin fish.
It was their favorite, but it took time to make.
Still, I moved quickly, prepping the ingredients.
After all, no matter how this ends, I am still their mother.
I cleaned the fish, scored its flesh, and seasoned it with care.
Just as I placed it into the hot oil, I turned to chop the side dishes.
My hand slipped.
The blade bit into my palm.
A thin line of red spread across my skin.
It stung, but what stung more was a sudden memory:
Ella Howard was allergic to the smell of fish.
Then why was I even making this dish?
Just as that question struck me, I heard his voice through the door.
“Today’s sports meet was so much fun! I wish we had one every day so Aunt Sophie could be our mom all the time!”
My daughter, Mia Howard, quickly hushed him.
“Don’t say that! That’s our secret. Mom mustn’t know.”
Then came Ethan’s voice, low and dismissive.
“Kids speak without thinking. Ella and Mia like Sophie—that’s all.”
He paused and added, “You don’t need to bother with these daily chores. I know you have your dreams. Just leave the little things to Lily Summers.”
I heard Sophie say something in response, but her voice was muffled.
The sound of the door’s password lock interrupted her.
Moments later, the four of them walked through the door.
Sophie lit up when she saw me.
She rushed over with open arms.
“Cousin! Long time no see! Did you miss me?”
Just before she could reach me, Ethan stepped between us.
He frowned slightly and said,
“Don’t touch her. She smells like cooking oil.”
Then he added, coldly,
“Dirty.”
I froze.
It felt like a slap across the face.
A hot flush of shame spread over me.
Sophie, sensing the tension, gave Ethan a playful swat.
“How can you say something like that to your wife? That’s so rude.”
She turned to me and said cheerfully,
“Cousin, ignore him. He’s always been this way. I know you’re the most patient and thoughtful. Just try to be a little more tolerant.”
Ethan rubbed the spot where she hit him, not angry at all.
He actually looked… pleased.
A soft smile tugged at his lips.
There was a twinkle in his eyes—like something he was enjoying.
Behind him, Mia muttered with a pout,
“Mom’s always so stingy.”
Ella, lounging on the sofa, shouted without turning around,
“Why isn’t the squirrel mandarin fish ready yet? Mom’s so lazy!”
I glanced at the crumbs on the carpet, the tipped-over glass, the mess left behind.
And suddenly, I just felt tired.
Utterly and deeply tired.
I took off my apron and knelt to wipe the blood off the floor.
“My hand’s injured,” I said calmly. “Order takeout tonight. I can’t cook.”
Ethan reached out to stop me, brows furrowed.
“Takeout isn’t healthy.”
I looked at him evenly and replied,
“Ice cream cake isn’t healthy either.”
He had no words.
His lips tightened.
Then he turned and took Sophie’s hand.
“Mom’s acting up again,” he said. “Let’s go out to eat. Ella, Mia, let’s go.”
The kids cheered and jumped off the sofa.
“Hooray! Aunt Sophie is back! She’s way better than Mom!”
Sophie glanced at them, then turned to me.
She smiled, hesitant but soft.
“Don’t mind what they say. Come with us. There’s still a seat for you.”
