“Sign it,” he repeated, his tone void of emotion, as if the past years we spent together meant nothing.
I took the papers—then tore them apart. Jason’s eyes darkened slightly, but instead of anger, he smirked. With calculated ease, he pulled out an ATM card and tossed it onto the coffee table.
“There’s a million dollars on that,” he said. “Your severance pay.”
My breath hitched. Severance pay? Like I was just some employee who had outlived her usefulness?
Like I had been nothing more than a burden he finally got rid of?
Fury boiled inside me. I slapped him. Hard.
The sharp crack of my palm against his cheek echoed through the room.
Jason barely flinched. He slowly turned his head back, touching his cheek with mild amusement.
"Feel better now?" he murmured.
I picked up the ATM card and flung it back at him. "Go to hell, Jason."
His smirk deepened. "Already there, sweetheart."
Then he leaned closer, his breath cold against my skin.
"You know," he said, his voice smooth but taunting, "Noah has already chosen Lily as his new mother."
My blood ran cold.
The kitchen door creaked open, and Lily stepped out, holding Noah’s tiny hand. They were both smiling.
My stomach twisted as I took in the sight before me. Noah—my baby—was cradling a giant robot toy in his arms, one I knew cost more than what I could ever afford. His eyes sparkled as he looked up at Lily, pure admiration shining in them.
“Thank you, Mommy Lily!” he beamed.
Mommy… Lily?
My throat tightened.
“Noah baby… I'm..." I whispered, my voice barely audible.
He turned to me, but there was no excitement in his eyes when he saw me. Just mild curiosity.
"Mommy, why are you mad?" he asked innocently. "Mom Lily bought me this! She’s the best!"
Lily laughed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Oh, Noah, sweetie, I just want you to be happy." Lily then look at me, "Emma, don't look so hurt. Noah's just being honest. I'm the one who's been taking care of him lately, after all."
Noah nodded eagerly. “Mommy Lily is nice to me, Mommy. She plays with me, she makes Daddy happy. You should sign the papers so we can be a happy family.”
I felt the air leave my lungs. Then—before I could react—she turned to Jason. And kissed him. Right in front of me. A deep, slow kiss, as if they had all the time in the world.
Noah giggled. "Mommy Lily and Daddy love each other!"