Sam
I wish I could teach that scumbag a lesson he'll never forget. You can treat me anyhow, we can always settle matters, but nobody messes with my mother. Unfortunately, I can't do anything because my mom wouldn't like that.

My mom has been crying a river since we came back to my apartment. I'm just sitting on the couch while she sits on the armchair opposite where I'm sitting. I don't know how to console her because I don't even know how to console myself. Sure, Jim has never been the typical kind of nice person, but it was never this bad. Now, after all these years of marriage, all my mom has to show for it is a home that was stolen from her and a broken heart.

"Sammy, what am I going to do?" my mom asks in between sobs.

I clench my fists in anger. Why the hell did Jim do this? Practically abandoning me is a completely different matter. I'm a grown ass man so I can survive without his help even if he decides to commit suicide because of it, but why does my mom have to suffer for his callous actions?

I close my eyes and take slow, deep breaths. As I do this, I remember the times mom used to comfort me when I was down. Now, it's my turn to do the same thing for her. I stand up from my position and sit on the arm of the chair.

"Mom, please stop crying." I wrap my arms around her the way she used to do to me. What I just said seems like a switch that just makes her cry more. I sigh and draw her closer.

"Why did he do this to me, Sammy?" she asks, sniffing.

No way in the world am I going to tell her his reason but I'll just pacify her for now because she tends to be stubborn with questions. "I'll tell you that some other time, mom. Just rest for now."

"No. I want to know right now." She has stopped crying and is talking with all seriousness now.

I scratch the back of my neck. "Trust me, mom, you don't want to know."

"No, Sammy. Tell me now. I need to know why I'm crying because I can't be wasting my tears."

"Er, why don't you rest a while? It will help you-"

"No, Samuel," comes the sharp reply. I'm officially bound by the fact that she called me Samuel and not the usual Sammy. I reluctantly tell her Jim's reason for being an idiot.

"That's why he abandoned our marital vows and all that we've worked for?" she asks. I just look in any direction that isn't hers. "Sweetie, I won't waste my tears anymore. I can't kill myself for him. Your father knew that I would not be able to bear more than one child for him before we got married but he said he was fine with that so he has no right to do this to me."

"Wait, he knew?" I ask. "How come?"

"That's a story for another day," she says, waving her hand. "For now, I want to rest. I'll be sleeping till tomorrow, so, see you in morning, Sammy." She pecks my cheek before going upstairs.

"Oh, and please come show me to my room, she says when she gets midway.  "By the way, nice place. I can get used to this."

I smile for the first time since today. "Thanks, mom."

A/N
Hello, my lovely people. How are all of you doing today? I'm so sorry that I haven't updated in some months. I've been extra busy since school resumed. I actually wasn't planning to update this book until April or May, after WAEC. I felt bad about that because it would be terrible to just leave you guys hanging like that.

Last night, I managed to get the strength to type this short chapter. I'm pleading with you guys to manage it. I'll be updating from time to time. Thank you so much for being patient with me.

Some of you, my beloved readers have approached me on some things they feel should be corrected in this book. I just want to thank all of you who did that. I'll make sure to add your suggestions in when I edit the book. Please, if you have anything to tell me, even ideas for the book, feel free to hit my DM. And, thank you for loving this book! Alexis appreciates it. Okay, lemme disappear.
Bye,
Diane.