Sarah met Luke’s steady gaze. “I’ve got this.” His encouraging nod helped ease her mind, even if her heart jackhammered in her chest and her anxiety hit an all-time high.

All she could think about was how this woman had inserted herself into her life and marriage, how she changed everything, because of her own selfish needs and wants.

Sarah walked out the back door without looking back, because she didn’t want the past to taint what was so alive and wonderful in that house: Love. Family. Joy.

Everything she’d ever wanted.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Luke felt everyone’s gaze, but he kept his focus on Jack. “You remember the lady on the phone?”

“Daddy used to bring me to see her.”

Luke didn’t think his opinion of Sean could sink any lower, but yep, it did. “Did he do that a lot?”

“No. Just sometimes because he knew I didn’t like to go.” Jack sighed, then looked up at Luke. “I heard Daddy fighting with Mommy. He said he was going to take us away, that we would live with the lady like he did. He said if she wanted to see us again, she wouldn’t quit and keep working. Mommy cried.”

“What did your mom say to your dad about that?”

“She told him he couldn’t have us. He got really mad and yelled at her more.”

“Then what happened?” Luke didn’t really want to know, but needed to hear it all the same so he could understand Jack and Sarah even better.

“He left. Mommy wouldn’t let him take us. She said if he did, she’d destroy all the computer stuff.” Jack traced the grain in the wood table. “He was always at Trish’s house. Mommy said Daddy didn’t like her anymore and he was happier with the other lady. She said it was okay because she wanted Daddy to be happy. I guess he did like Trish because he bought her a bunch of sparkly diamonds.” Jack looked up at him, anger flashing in his eyes. “He said we were going shopping, but he didn’t buy me anything. He only bought the lady stuff. He took me to her house to give it to her. She was real happy, but she didn’t want me there, only Daddy. I wanted to go home to Mommy. If you take me shopping, will you buy me something?”

“Sure, buddy. Did your Mom find out about the diamonds?”

“I told her. She was really sad. She doesn’t have any. Daddy gave her something for her computer. I don’t think she liked it. It wasn’t even a fun game or anything.” Jack scrunched his mouth. “You know what?”

“What, Jack?”

“I don’t think Daddy was very nice to her.”

“I don’t think so either.” Margaret came to stand next to Jack and brushed her hand over his head. “I’m very sorry your dad treated your mom that way. It wasn’t right. But you know what?”

“What?”

“Your mom deserves to be happy, too.”