Jane glanced over them dismissively, "Seen all this before. Got anything new?"

Emily was battling acute gastric cancer, her condition fluctuating dangerously. Every critical update from the hospital was communicated to Jane, pleading with her to visit her daughter one last time.

To Jane, though, it was just another boy crying wolf.

And I was that boy, supposedly lying through his teeth.

I remembered Emily's face when she got the news, her weak smile breaking through, "Dad, let's do the mock funeral. It's okay if it's just Mom and you."

My heart broke for Emily. I spent that night on my knees in front of Jane, replaying those apology videos, until she finally agreed—on the condition she'd finally give herself completely to Winston.

They went through the motions like a real couple, but Jane always stopped short of finality.

She prided herself on being a wife already, not wanting to cross a line.

That thought always brought to mind the old saying about a saint on the street but a sinner behind closed doors.

That was the real betrayal.

I had accepted my role, wearing the cuckold's horns, but she didn't even show up for the actual funeral.

I thought about gathering more evidence, confirming her death with the hospital, taking Jane to Emily's grave...

But then I stopped myself. Why bother?

Jane's bias was too deep, too ingrained to ever change. Let it go.

Seeing my defeated look, Jane thought she had the upper hand, smugly demanding, "Apologize to Winston, or I'm never attending that mock funeral."

I was speechless, utterly dumbfounded.

Doubting her sanity, I responded flatly, "Emily doesn't need it anymore. Just leave."

My patience had worn thin, civility long gone.

Jane frowned, incredulous, "Mike, don't push your luck. I've backed down as much as I'm going to. What more do you want?"

"After all the drama, satisfied yet? Apologize to Winston, and maybe I'll consider making our marriage official."

"Forget it, you disgust me."

I said it straight, no sugarcoating left.

Jane's mask finally slipped, her rage uncontainable, "Mike, are you out of your mind?!"

"If you don't apologize to Winston today, I'm calling the hospital to halt all her treatments!"

I never fought for Emily's custody; it was always in Jane's grip.

Initially, she didn't even want the child, but now using her as a pawn repeatedly.