My Husband Chose Her Dogs Over Me

Chapter 6

His mind roared with white noise.

That day played in his head like a nightmare—Alec crying, begging him to help Mara. But the dog had been convulsing. Leanna had collapsed in hysterics. He'd pushed past his son without a second glance.

He never saw Alec dart after the car.

Never saw the truck's blind spot swallow him whole.

Franco collapsed to his knees, shaking.

He'd destroyed all three of his children.

Meanwhile, I was back in North Carolina, standing in the overgrown yard of my mother's old house.

The place had been empty since she passed. I set down the white porcelain urn and started clearing the weeds.

Mrs. Walter next door recognized me the second I knocked. "Goodness, you're the Thatcher girl! It's been what—ten years? You look just like your mama did at your age."

I managed a weak smile.

"I heard your daddy came by after remarrying," she continued. "Said you'd married some big-shot doctor overseas, had a boy. We figured you were living the good life, never coming back."

My smile stiffened. "We're divorced. And... my son is gone."

Her chatter died instantly. She wordlessly fetched a sickle from the shed.

As I worked, her words looped in my head.

Had I been happy?

Maybe in the beginning. Before I realized Franco had never really let go of Leanna.

I'd never doubted his love—not at first. He'd loved me in ways that seeped into every little detail of our lives.

He kept flats in his car because he hated seeing me limp home in heels. Remembered my cycle better than I did, always had pads and ginger tea waiting. Knew I hated the cold, so he'd remote-start the heater before I even stepped through the door.

That's why I noticed the change immediately.

Leanna hadn't just reappeared overnight. Franco had resisted her at first—partly because he did love me, partly because she'd been too uncertain to push.

But when I gave birth to Alec, even half-drugged on the operating table, I could tell his focus was elsewhere.

The delivery room overflowed with family afterward.

Everyone was there.

Except him.

I didn't find out why until I checked my phone—Leanna slit her wrists.