Vince stumbled through the door well after midnight.

As he entered, I caught a whiff of familiar perfume clinging to his clothes—Sansa's signature scent. He flipped on the lights without warning, and I instinctively covered our son's eyes.

"Honey, I was swamped yesterday. Tomorrow I'll take Elise to the zoo to make it up to you both!"

He grabbed our son's hand and planted a quick kiss on his forehead.

Always the same routine—miss our son's event, promise to "make it up" the next day.

"How'd that urgent case go? The one you absolutely had to handle?"

I ignored his attempt at conversation and changed the subject.

"The evidence chain is solid. The criminal won't escape justice."

He lowered his head, his expression unreadable.

I pulled out yesterday's photos—him with Sansa and Danny posing like a perfect family—and placed them in front of him.

Vince's face froze momentarily before he composed himself, his tone turning defensive.

"Rosa, what exactly are you implying? Danny doesn't have a father. His dad was my closest friend. I was just helping out at the parent-child activity. I told a white lie because I knew you'd overreact."

"There'll be other parent-child activities. I'll go with Elise next time. I already promised to make it up to him!"

Angry? I'm not angry. Our son is the one who should be angry.

"Please leave. Don't wake our son. He's exhausted from today's activities and needs rest. We won't be going to the zoo."

Vince's face darkened with anger.

"See? You're angry again! You're a mother too—can't you show some compassion? Aren't you ashamed?"

I should be ashamed? The man who neglects his own son to play daddy to someone else's thinks I should be ashamed?

Vince slammed the door on his way out, startling our son awake.

"Mom? Was that Dad? Did he make you mad again? Don't be upset, Mom. I won't make you angry."

My heart broke seeing my son so mature beyond his years. I stroked his hair gently until he drifted back to sleep in my arms, my resolve to divorce growing stronger by the minute.

Early the next morning, Elise woke to find Vince waiting with breakfast already prepared.

Seeing his dad, Elise lit up and launched himself into Vince's arms.

"Elise! Dad's taking you to the zoo today!"

He lifted our son high in the air, drawing delighted giggles.

"Is Mom coming too?" My son looked at me hopefully.

I was surprised. I'd assumed he'd left already. Since Sansa and her son moved to our city, Vince rarely spent weekends at home.

I Walked Away with My Son — Chapter 9

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