Inside, Dad was all smiles:
"I've been faking debt for so long—of course she has to behave and play the dutiful Morton daughter-in-law."
Mom chimed in, "And don't forget me."
"I'm not even sick. Checking myself into the hospital at the drop of a hat—have I ever complained?"
My son sat on Olivia's lap, pouting:
"I want Aunt Olivia to be my mom. Dad, why do I have to pretend I can't live without her?"
"Just get divorced already. Aunt Olivia is way better than Mom. She never nags."
"Grandma says Mom's just a hen that can't lay eggs. Only Aunt Olivia can give me a little brother."
Outside that door, the pain nearly suffocated me.
Zane's affairs had made the Morton family a joke in Graystone's elite circles.
My mother-in-law blamed me for not keeping my husband satisfied. She made me kneel outside in a Graystone winter.
All night.
When I woke from the coma, my baby was gone. So was my ability to ever have another.
My parents just nodded along, then urged Zane:
"Exactly. Son-in-law, why not switch? Madeline's always been inferior to her sister. She's not worthy of the Morton family anymore."
Zane said nothing.
He reached over, hooked Olivia by the neck, and kissed her—deep and greedy.