Whispers in the Night Rain

It was my son's engagement party. However, my husband stopped me from giving my soon-to-be daughter-in-law her gift. "His mother will do the honors. This is not your place."

I thought he was joking until he put his arm around his childhood sweetheart and sat down together around the main table. "I know Bianca mishandled your baby, but she had postpartum depression, and it was an accident.

"She gave you Jason to make up for her mistake. It's time for them to be a family again. She has atoned for her sins."

My nails dug into my palms hard enough to draw blood. Just when I was on the brink of losing it, my son raised a toast to her. "Someone has stolen your place for 30 years, Mom, but you'll never have to suffer again."

Right now, my husband and son were like strangers I'd never met instead of my family. A bitter smile curled my lips. We'd spent more than three decades together.

Time had left its mark on my graying hair, yet I was treated as nothing more than an outsider in a place I was supposed to call home.

Perhaps this home was too small to fit all of us. Since that was the case, someone had to bow out and that someone… was me.

An Act

Before I realized it, William Larson was already standing in front of me. "We're getting your address changed when we're done."

I froze, but then realization hit me. "What do you mean, William?"

William tilted his head and looked through me, his eyes landing on the woman standing nearby, Bianca Shaw.

"Her Pierton visa's expiring. I'll need you to change your address so I can move hers to mine."

Something cold crept up my spine. "What happens to me, then?"

Jason answered before his father could, "Just go back to Cathay, Mom. Our old place has been vacant for years. It's a perfect place for you to enjoy your retirement."

White-hot anger flared in my chest. My blood boiled under my veins, and I couldn't breathe.

William heaved a sigh and infused some warmth into his voice as he spoke. "I know it's hard to process, but we can't hold Bianca up any longer. Once the PR process is done, Jason and I will try to move you back in."

I thought I'd known William, but perhaps I never knew him at all. Years ago, I gave up my future in Cathay just to fight for a future in Pierton, with him. His first business venture ended up in flames, and bankruptcy nearly swallowed him whole.

I had to toughen up, go back home, and beg every single relative I had for a loan. He only had the funds to make a comeback because of me.

At the time, William held my hands as tightly as he could, and tears covered every inch of his cheeks as he swore he would let me suffer no indignity.

Now he was one of the most powerful figures in Pierton, if not the most powerful figure here. Meanwhile, I had nothing but a head full of gray hair to prove it. He never made good on his word. All I gained in return was my husband's betrayal.

Something loud cracked in the air of the hall. "You're a bastard, William!"

A red mark had painted itself on William's cheek before I could even pull my hand back. He froze up like a statue for a moment, but there was no answer to my question.

Instead, he handed me a flight ticket. "I've gotten you the ticket. You'll have enough money to live comfortably for the rest of your life."

Bianca trembled ever so slightly. "Yvonne, I just didn't want to miss Jason's most important day. I never wanted to take anything from you. I know I'm the reason your baby died, but I've spent 30 years making up for that. That's more than enough."

My position was not swayed. I was unwavering, and she noticed that. Bianca staggered backward. "You want my life in exchange for your baby's? Fine, you can have it!"

She yanked her hairpin off and aimed it right at her throat. William and Jason darted ahead, pulling her hand back. "What are you doing, Mom?" Jason's voice cracked from panic.

"No, don't do this, Bianca!" William refused to let her go. Then, he turned to me, his eyes dripping with venom as he hissed, "What more do you want Bianca to do? She's a victim too!"