"Dad," I shouted, every inch of me trembling, "you're wrong. I would never cheat. I would never betray Mom!"
Dad's face froze when he saw me. The anger twisted in his expression faltered, and he quickly lowered the gun.
Mom pulled me tightly into her arms, her whole body trembling.
She must be terrified, I thought.
I wrapped my arms around her, copying the way she usually comforted me, patting her back clumsily.
"Mom, don't be scared. Justin is here."
But her trembling only grew worse. She looked up at Dad, eyes full of despair, and held out a divorce agreement.
"Steven, let's divorce. Justin will stay with me."
Dad didn't even hesitate. He tore the papers into shreds and shoved them into the trash.
"We agreed on the day we married—between us, there will never be divorce. Only death."
His voice softened a little as he continued, almost weary.
"This was my fault. I shouldn't have let Bella move in next door without warning you—it provoked you. So you don't need to apologize to her. I'll find a way to atone for you."
Without another glance at us, Dad turned and left.
Watching his back as he walked away, I felt something shift in our family. Something broken that couldn't be put back together.