Page 19 of Till Death Do Us Part

"It's okay, love," he whispered. "She's just worried about us."

"I know," I whispered back. "But I can't help but feel like I'm failing everyone."

"You're not failing anyone," Matt said firmly. "We're all doing our best, and that's all anyone can ask for."

I sighed, taking another sip of my wine. "I just wish she would understand that we have other things going on too. It's not just about cleaning and tidying up."

"I know, but she's just old-fashioned like that," Matt said, rubbing my arm soothingly. "She means well, but you don't have to listen to everything she says."

I nodded, taking another sip of wine and feeling the tension slowly leave my body. It was true that my mom meant well, but sometimes, her constant need for cleanliness and order could be suffocating. As I leaned back against the couch, I made a silent promise to myself to try and let go of the guilt and pressure I felt whenever I was around her. After all, I had my own family now, and it was up to me to create a warm and welcoming home, even if it wasn't always spotless.

I took another sip of my wine, leaned into Matt's embrace, and pushed my worries aside, focusing on the present moment and the love surrounding me. As I dozed off, I couldn’t stop thinking about Rachel and how she was apparently in a rush to leave. She was getting money from a dad she didn’t know and booking plane tickets. Why was that?

What was she running from?

What could make a mother run from her own family? And leave her children?

I could only think of one thing, one explanation strong enough to make me do that.

Danger.

She had to have felt like she was in danger somehow.

Chapter14

John wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. He took a deep breath as he surveyed the living room. The furniture was gleaming, the carpets had been vacuumed, and every surface was dust-free. But there was still so much more to do. He glanced at the clock on the wall and saw it was already midday. He had been cleaning for hours, but he had committed to finishing the entire house today. The sun was blazing outside, and it was only getting hotter with each passing minute. Despite the fans blowing in every room and the AC on, there was no escaping the heat. He wiped the sweat from his forehead again and continued.

He scrubbed the tiles in the kitchen, dusted off the shelves, and wiped down every surface. He cleaned the countertops, washed the dishes, and mopped the floors.

As he moved on to the bedrooms, he could feel the sweat pouring down his back. But he didn't stop. He opened the windows to let in some fresh air, grabbed a mop and bucket of water, and headed to the bathroom, scrubbing it all down thoroughly.

He picked up the trash can and made his way to the kitchen. The smell of garbage hit him as he opened the lid, and he wrinkled his nose in disgust.

By the time he got to take out the trash, he was exhausted. But he knew it had to be done. He gathered all the garbage bags and dragged them outside to the dumpster. The strong scent of the trash mixed with the hot air made him want to gag, but he held his breath as he threw the bags into the bin.

As he made his way back inside, he paused for a moment, feeling the breeze on his skin. He looked up at the clear blue sky and closed his eyes, enjoying the brief moment of relief.

But when he opened them again, he saw something that made him freeze. A car was parked across the street, and inside sat a woman holding a pair of binoculars.

It was Rachel's mom.

What the heck?

John stared at her, bewildered, anger rising inside him, his nostrils flaring. He watched her for a few more moments, hoping she would leave, but she didn't budge.

John sighed heavily. He walked over to her car and tapped on the window. Rachel's mom rolled down the window.

"Can I help you?" John asked, trying to keep his tone polite.

"I was just checking up on you," Rachel's mom said, smiling sweetly.

John's eyebrows furrowed. "I'm not sure I understand."

Rachel's mom laughed sarcastically. "Oh, don't play dumb. You know exactly why I'm here."

John's heart started to race. He had a feeling he knew where this was going. "You need to leave. Now."

Rachel's mom snickered. "Or what? You'll call the cops?"

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