Teresa knew Jonathan’s number by heart.

After dinner, Michael fell asleep quickly. After all, he was just a kid, and kids his age always went to bed early.

In the quiet house, Teresa couldn’t sleep. She pondered, “It is 8 p.m. here, and if Jonathan really is in Elarioa, it would be just after 7 a.m. over there. By his body clock, he should be awake now, but probably not at work yet.”

Finally, Teresa mustered up her courage, took out her phone, and dialed Jonathan’s number.

The phone rang for ages before anyone picked up.

Teresa took a deep breath. When she heard no one speak on the other end of the line, she took the initiative and said, “It’s me. Are you busy right now?”

Unexpectedly, Irene’s voice came through the phone. She demanded, “Teresa? Why are you calling Jonathan again? Haven’t you already hurt him enough?”

Teresa could never have imagined that Irene would be the one to answer. She was sure she had dialed Jonathan’s number. If she had known Irene would pick up, she wouldn’t have called even if her life depended on it.

She replied, “I just wanted to talk to him about Mike starting kindergarten.”

Irene cut her off. She snapped, “You’ve got the nerve to bring up the kid? Didn’t you get full custody? Jonathan pays you a ton in child support every year. Be grateful and don’t push it.”

Teresa took a deep breath and said, “I just wanted to ask if he’s free to take Mike to kindergarten. That’s all.”

Irene frowned and said, “Why do you need Jonathan’s help just to get Mike into kindergarten? Can’t you handle something that simple on your own? Jonathan’s busy–he’s surrounded by successful women who are all inviting him out. He’s living his best life right now.”

Teresa’s heart sank, but she shot back without missing a beat, “Good for him. I hope he enjoys it.”

Irene sneered, “If only you’d figured that out sooner. Without you around, he’s living life carefree and loving every minute of it.”

Teresa felt like her heart had been split wide open. She thought, “After all this time with no contact, I am the only one left hurting!”

Irene’s voice came through again. She said, “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll give up custody of the kids sooner rather than later. They’re still young now, but what about down the road? Both of them would have a way better future with Jonathan.”

Teresa never expected that even now, Irene was still scheming to take her kids away.

Irene continued, “What can you possibly give the kids? Open your eyes and look at yourself. All you ever do is drag them down. You’re useless–a total failure. You’ve never been anything but a burden, always leeching off my son. You were dead weight back then, and you still are now. Forcing you two to get divorced was the smartest thing I ever did. Even if I treated you badly, that’s on you, not me.”

Teresa clenched her fists so hard her knuckles turned white. When she heard Irene’s last line, she let out a cold, mocking laugh and retorted, “Yeah, you’re right. And without your son, you’re nothing either.”

Irene demanded, “What did you just say?”

Teresa didn’t hold back this time. She snapped, “Did I say anything wrong? Listen up, Irene. I was brave enough to expose you in court–do you think I’m going to just take your crap like before? Sure, I don’t make as much as Jonathan right now. If you were better at making money than I, I’d admit it. But you’re even worse–you almost got your son thrown in jail. Did you forget about the prosecutor’s office? Did you forget he almost spent five years behind bars because of you? And you still think you have the right to lecture me?"