Chapter 3
Tabitha
The last two days have been nothing short
of misery. Kyle’s parents have been
inconsolable. Their only son has died and they
feel that loss unlike anything I could have
imagined. Kyle’s mother, who has never been my
biggest fan, has all but refused to even look at
me since it happened. Mason had called them
and told them the news since I was
unresponsive. The thoughts of speaking to
people and seeing the looks on their faces when
they learn how he died are almost more than I
can bear. The guilt of it all was gnawing away at
me like a mouse with a piece of cheese. Every
second more of me gets chipped away and lost
for good, never to return.
“Tabitha, the plans for the funeral need to be
made. I know he’s at Whitman’s and they’ve
Chapter 3
offered to bring things here for us to take a look
- at. I know you’re not ready to go outside just
yet.” My father–in–law Hampton says. Even
though his wife has never liked me, Hampton has
always been kind. There are times when I
wondered if Kyle could have ever come from this
man. They were as different as night and day.
I look up at Hampton and give him a weak
nod. I’ve not been able to talk much since the
day it happened. I had screamed so much that
my voice had given out and I was trying to save
my strength for the funeral. There was a knock
at the door and he went to open it. Outside
stood Mason and Brittany, but there was
someone behind them. I couldn’t see well, but I
heard Hampton invite them in. It shocked me to
see that it was Heather Marshall, a friend of mine
from high school.
Standing next to her was a little boy, around
five years old who looked like the spitting image
276
Chapter 3
of Kyle. My heart stopped at that moment and I felt my hand go to my mouth. Mason led them all into the living room where Alexandra my mother-
in–law and I were seated. I looked at Brittany and
noticed she couldn’t look me in the face. I turned
to Mason, and he had a blank look on him. They
knew something. They knew something, and it
was about to turn my world upside down.
“All of you know Heather, and this is her son,
Kyle. Tabitha, there are some things that I need
to tell you about.” Mason says.
Everything within me is begging him to stay
quiet. I don’t want to hear it, not after what I had
to witness two days ago. As if Kyle hadn’t
already ripped my heart out enough, I’m going to
have to hear the one thing no wife wants to hear.
“Kyle and Heather have been together for
the last ten years.” Mason says.
826
Hampton looked as if he was about to hit
Chapter 3
something. He was so angry. Alexandra sat
stone still like it wasn’t a shock to her. All I could
do was close my eyes and will the tears that I
knew were going to go away. Kyle and I had only
been married for five years. That means he was
seeing Heather while we were still dating. I’ve
been living a lie for so long.
“That’s not all.” Heather says.
“A month ago, Kyle forged your signature on
divorce papers. He then married Heather.
Everything will go to her. He changed everything
so that your name is on nothing.” Mason said. I
look at Mason and see that this isn’t shocking to
him. How is any of this even possible?
out.
“How long have all of you known?” I croak
“Brittany and I have known the entire time.”
Mason says. He at least has the decency to look
ashamed.
4/6
Chapter 3
“I’ve known as well. I was the one who told
him to start a relationship with her. I knew you
wouldn’t be able to give him what he wanted.”
Alexandra says.
“Alex!” Hampton yells. I jumped in surprise.
“You knew about this and allowed it to go on?”
“Of course I did. You know Tabitha has never
been good enough for him! I was only protecting
my boy!” she yells. She then turns to me and I
see accusation in her eyes. “What did you do to
make him kill himself? He never would have done
this with how much he loved Heather and their
child?”
All at once, it was like everything broke
inside of me. I couldn’t feel any more pain, hurt,
or sadness. I began to laugh. The more I tried to
stop the harder I laughed. The room fell silent
and everyone watched me as I had my nervous
breakdown. I finally got control of myself and let
5/6
Chapter 3
what I was thinking come out.
Chapter 4
