The thought that this house was saturated with that woman's presence made my stomach turn. I doubled over and dry-heaved.
I opened Jayden's computer.
I searched carefully and found a hidden folder.
It was full of evidence of their love.
I went through the photos one by one.
It felt like falling into a frozen lake.
When I gave birth, no one took care of me during my recovery. She stayed at a five-star postnatal care center. My daughter wore hand-me-downs from relatives. Her son wore designer labels. During the days my daughter was hospitalized with a fever, Jayden was overseas with Aileen and their son on vacation.
I rushed to check the family savings account he'd always managed.
He'd said he was investing the money, so I'd never questioned it.
Balance: $0.
He never brought money home, yet transfer after transfer had gone to that other family.
My whole body shook so violently I couldn't stand straight.
All along, the only ones suffering had been me and my daughter.
I looked up at the wedding portrait hanging in the bedroom.
Smashed it.
Looked at the computer sitting there like an eyesore.
His clothes in the closet.
Cut them to shreds.
His toiletries on the bathroom counter.
Threw them out.