Chapter 1
My seven-year-old daughter came home early and found her father kissing another woman—then I walked in moments after that woman slapped her to the floor.
Sophie dropped her schoolbag inside our Nashville home.
“Daddy?”
My husband, Ryan, was kissing Jessica on our living-room couch.
Sophie stared at them in confusion.
“You’re not my mommy.”
Jessica pulled away and rolled her eyes.
Ryan stood, but he didn’t explain.
“Go to your room, Sophie.”
Instead, my daughter ran forward and pushed Jessica away from him.
“Leave my daddy alone!”
Jessica raised her hand and slapped Sophie.
My little girl fell beside the coffee table.
That was the moment I opened the front door.
I saw Sophie crying on the floor with one hand against her cheek.
“What happened?”
“Mommy, she hit me.”
I dropped my groceries and rushed to lift her into my arms.
Jessica crossed her arms.
“Your daughter attacked me first.”
I gently placed Sophie behind me.
Then I slapped Jessica so hard she stumbled against the couch.
“Touch my child again and see what happens.”
Jessica grabbed my hair and tried to pull me down.
I shoved her away, but she lunged at me again.
We crashed into the side table as Ryan shouted for us to stop.
He grabbed my arms instead of hers.
“Emily, you’re acting insane!”
“Your mistress just hit our daughter!”
Jessica stepped behind my husband and smiled.
“This isn’t your home anymore.”
I pulled free and struck her across the face again.
Ryan pushed me back while Sophie screamed at him to stop.
Then Jessica picked up a suitcase beside the couch.
She threw it open, revealing my clothes packed inside.
Ryan looked directly at me and said, “Jessica and her son are moving in tonight.”
May you like
Sophie suddenly pointed toward the hallway.
“Then why did I hear Daddy tell her they had to get rid of us both?”
