His expression tightened with frustration. "You always want to blame someone else. If you’d been more careful, none of this would have happened."
I held his gaze.
A liar.
A traitor.
Before I could think twice, my hand darted to the dressing table, fingers wrapping around a pair of scissors. Without hesitation, I dragged the blade across my wrist.
A sharp sting. Then, warm blood spilled onto the floor.
Archie’s eyes went wide in horror. "Wendy! What the hell are you doing?!"
I let the scissors clatter to the floor, my vision blurring. "Just making amends." My voice was eerily calm. "You said I wasn’t a good wife, wasn’t a decent mum… so this is my punishment, isn’t it?"
I staggered towards the door, blood trailing behind me.
Just as I reached it, a soft, artificial voice rang out.
"Archie… I’m scared. Wendy… she’s dangerous."
I froze. Slowly, I turned my head.
Claire was leaning against Archie, gripping his sleeve, her expression one of perfect, rehearsed fear.
Archie hesitated, his gaze flicking between us.
Claire tugged on his arm, voice frail. "Archie, I feel dizzy… Can you take me to the hospital?"
Archie looked at me for a long moment. Then, as always… he made his choice.