Chapter 2The Gentle Lie

Anson had told me Leo was the baby I’d risked my life to bring into this world.

But he had never once called me "Mommy."

Now, the first time he said the word, it was for another woman.

A sour knot formed in my chest.

Anson seemed to come to his senses then, staring at his trembling hand in shock. "Sasha, I..."

The slap stung, but I knew he didn't mean it. Anson was a good man, the best man. When the flu hit us hard a while back, both Leo and I got sick. He carried us back and forth from the hospital, refusing to rest even though he was burning up himself. He didn’t collapse until we were both fully recovered.

"It's okay! It doesn't hurt!" I forced a smile, but the throb in my cheek made me wince.

Just then, Mindy approached with a tube of ointment. I slapped it out of her hand.

"Bad woman! I don't want your things!" I'd always been clear about who I liked and who I didn't.

The softness that had just returned to Anson's eyes hardened again. "Sasha, you are unbelievable!"

He grabbed me impatiently and shoved me into the dark, musty wardrobe. "You can come out for dinner when you've learned your lesson!"

"No! I don't want to be in here! Let me out!"

Anson knew how terrified I was of the dark. We kept the lights on in the house all year round for me. I hammered on the door, my body trembling uncontrollably, but the only response was the cheerful clatter of forks and plates as they started their meal.

Realizing that begging Anson was useless, I started screaming for Leo. "Leo, help me! Get me out!"

Leo was small, but he was always my sweet boy. I could snatch his snacks and he wouldn't get mad. If another kid called me a simpleton, he'd find them and punch them.

But this time, his voice came back, cold and distant. "Sasha, you're not being good. I'm not playing with you."

I don't know how long I screamed. A sweet, metallic taste filled my throat, and my head grew so heavy I could barely hold it up.

Suddenly, the door swung open, flooding the darkness with light. Mindy stood there, a bowl of rice in her hand and a saccharine smile on her face. Her words, however, were pure venom.

"How does a simpleton like you end up with a rich, devoted husband? God must be blind." She sneered. "But don't worry. Everything that's yours will soon be mine."

With that, she dumped the bowl of rice all over herself, grabbed my hand, and let out a piercing scream. "Ah!"

Anson rushed in. Seeing the scene, he sent me flying with a vicious kick to the chest. A sharp pain tore through me, and a spray of crimson erupted from my lips.

"I... I was just worried Sasha was hungry," Mindy sobbed, burying her face in Anson's chest. "I tried to bring her some food, but she just went crazy... She tried to choke me..."

"No, that's not... that's not what happened!" I gasped, clutching my chest as I tried to lift my head.

But Anson cut me off. "Enough! Sasha, how many times do I have to tell you? You don't hit people!"

I shrank back, terrified. I had never seen this side of him.

"Anson, I just... I don't feel safe here," Mindy whimpered, her eyes glistening with tears as she looked up at him. "You and Leo are her family, but... I'm all alone."

Anson's body went rigid. He turned and looked at me, his eyes filled with a storm of emotions too complex for me to understand.

Then, he scooped Mindy into his arms and carried her into the bedroom.

That night, Mindy was like an opera singer. Her performance went on for hours.