Chapter 9

I’d spent twenty years serving Joshua’s family, and they never treated me half as well as these two people I hadn’t seen in just as long.

I gave the first half of my life to the wrong people.

But things got busy fast-too busy to stay stuck in the past.

I opened a little place near the rental and called it Pasta Bar.

There was a factory close by, so workers started swinging by on lunch breaks.

They said my pasta was clean, tasty, real comfort food—and soon they brought their friends.

Philip helped get Mia into school.

He picked her up every day. Weekends, he pitched in at the Pasta Bar.

Just when I thought we were finally settling into something good, Joshua barged in.

He trashed the place-tables flipped, dishes smashed.

And then, like it was nothing, he raised his hand to hit me.

I grabbed the kitchen knife and held it to my chest.

Only then did he back off.

“You bitch. We’re divorced and you’re still trying to ruin me?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t play dumb. Everyone at the university knows about the divorce—and me and Linda.

Even the university president! They pulled my promotion! Didn’t think you’d be this bitter.”

“I had nothing to do with that. Please leave. Don’t come back.”

“Oh, so now you’re denying it? Think I’m just gonna let this slide?”

He lunged, grabbed my wrist. The knife clattered to the floor.

His hand went up—

But it froze.

Philip had grabbed him, yanked his arm back hard. Joshua stumbled.

“I already called the cops. Keep acting crazy, and they’ll drag you out in cuffs.”

Joshua looked between us, eyes wild, then let out this unhinged laugh.

“Really, Carmen? Divorce me and run straight to another guy? Unreal. Just wait.”

Then he bolted.

This time, I didn’t break down. I just started cleaning, dead inside.

I’d gotten stronger since walking away from him.

His words didn’t shake me-I knew they weren’t true.

I wasn’t scared anymore.

But the next day, Mia was gone.

Philip had mentioned he’d be tied up and I should grab Mia myself.

I left early, waited outside the school.

One by one, kids poured out. The gatekeeper started locking up. Still no Mia.

Panic hit me like a truck.

Just then, her teacher stepped out and I rushed over.

“Ms. Turpin, have you seen Mia? She never came out.”

She blinked, confused. “Her dad picked her up this afternoon.”

The ground shifted under me. I almost dropped.

I tore home, heart racing, mind spinning.

First thing I did? Call Philip.

Philip dropped everything and sped over to get me.

First stop was Joshua’s place-we pounded on the door forever. No answer.