CHAPTER 109: Home Early

“What?” I say, harsher than I intended. But I don’t care. Not right now.

Mike hesitates, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, and rubs the back of his neck. His eyes avoid mine. “I, uh… wanted to apologize,” he mutters, not meeting my eyes. “You know, for everything. For Mabel putting you through all this stress.”

I narrow my eyes, not buying it for a second. “Mabel, huh? Just Mabel?”

He finally looks up, and there’s something there—defensiveness, maybe? “Yeah,” he says. “I mean… she’s the one who pushed the whole thing. You know how she is.”

“And you? You’re not part of this?”

Mike shrugs, glancing away. “I didn’t exactly agree with how she handled it, but… look, Dad, I didn’t have much choice.”

I take a step closer, lowering my voice. “You told Desiree I’m going to sign some document to divorce her. How dare you?”

Mike’s face hardens. “Oh, we’re talking about playing dirty now? You sent Desiree to lie to me about my wife cheating. So don’t stand there and act like you’re