Chapter 1
On the fourth day after our son died, I made up my mind to end my military marriage–without telling my husband.
Before that, I had three days to take care of everything for our child.]
Day one, I tricked my husband into signing the cremation consent form.
Day two, I went to our son’s school and picked up the textbooks he never got the chance to use.
Day three, I cooked his favorite meal and begged my husband to celebrate his last birthday with him.]
He agreed-
But then said he had to “report for duty” and spent the night lighting fireworks with his childhood sweetheart.
That night, I sat alone beside my son’s photo and ate an entire apple pie.
The next morning, my husband came back and, looking guilty, handed me a new backpack
He said it was our son’s back–to–school gift.]]
He didn’t know. []
Our son would never make it to school again.]]
-0
Four days after my son’s death, I ran into Jacob in the hospital hallway.
He had one arm around Lillian and was holding her kid’s hand with the other.]
They looked just like a happy little family.
Even though I’m the one who’s legally his wife.[]
The second Jacob saw me, his smile dropped.]
“What are you doing here?” he snapped.
“You here to mess with Lillian again?”
The way he looked at me–like I was colder than our son’s dead body.
Lillian casually slid her arm through his and gave me a sheepish smile.
“Sorry, Ellie,” she said sweetly.
Jacob’s just protective. He didn’t mean to be rude.
Then she nudged her son and gestured toward me.
The boy glanced up, then said politely.]]
Aunt Ellie.
1
Then he turned right around and snuggled into Jacob’s arms.
“Hi, Daddy Jacob!” he chirped.]
He
Aunt Ellie.
Daddy Jacob
What a contrast
Once upon a time, those words would’ve cut me like a knife.
Now, all I fell was bone–deep exhaustion.
1 took a deep breath, ready to tell Jacob our son had died-
But he beat me to 11, already turning to leave!]
“We gotta go,” he said, barely sparing me a glance. []
Tyler’s not feeling well. I need to take him to the doctor.
Sty chest nightened, but I instinctively stepped aside
That’s when Lilian giggled and said teasingly.
Telas, Jacob. He just overate. It’s not that serious
You’re overreacting again.
Then she turned back to me, all gracious and kind
Te, if you need to talk to Jacob, go ahead.
I can take Tyler to the doctor.
What a joke
17
www
Chapter 1
And the cruelest part?]
Even with her offering, Jacob still didn’t want to stay.]
His face darkened the second she spoke.
“Lillian, stop,” he said.
“A kid’s health isn’t something to brush off.”
Right.
How could a child’s health not matter?
I clutched the death certificate tighter, my heart aching.
Four days ago, our son had a severe asthma attack.
I stopped Jacob at the door, begging him to take our son to the hospital.
But he just laughed and shook me off.
“Ellie, do I look stupid?” he said.
“It’s not like this is his first attack. He’ll be fine–just give him his meds.”
“Lillian’s waiting. I promised I’d take Tyler to the park.”
And with that, he walked out and drove away without a second glance.
I stayed behind, sobbing, begging anyone who would listen to help me get our son to the ER.
But we were too late.
My sweet boy, the one I raised for seven years-
Gone, just before he ever got to start school.]
That day, I dropped to my knees and begged the doctors over and over.
I cried until I couldn’t see.
But nothing could bring him back.
He never opened his eyes again.
Never called me “Mommy” again.]
And his father?
He was playing pretend dad in the park with someone else’s kid.
What & cruel, cruel joke.
I blinked, and Jacob was gone-
Halding Lillian’s son, not even giving me a chance to speak
Only Liian looked back at me with a soft, pitiful smile.
Like she felt sorry for me.
14 seen that look a thousand times these past few days.
I’d had enough
1 straightened my spine and looked ahead.
If Jacob didn’t want this family, then I had no reason to keep clinging to it.]
7
I would cremate our son and take him home.
Back to where he belonged
But before that-
I still had three days to set things right []
And today was day one]
