She felt so hopeless and helpless. Is this the man I've waited for over twenty years? Is this the man that I've loved more than myself? I don't know anymore.

Curt couldn't believe that it was his wife's own idea. Only Spencer could think of such a plan, asking his mother to divorce me to get half of the family property.

​​

He looked at her disdainfully and said, "Alright, tell me, what do you want?"

His coldness stabbed her heart like a sharp knife. She composed herself despite the pain, and her tone was as cold as his, "Divorce and half of the property."

Curt had not expected that she would change so suddenly and completely. "Impossible!" He bellowed furiously, "That's Davidson's family property. It's not community property."

Mrs. Davidson stood with a straight back and looked at Curt defiantly, "I will see you in court then. Even if it takes five years or ten years, it's fine with me. I've waited longer than that."

Curt frowned at her determination and thought he had better calm himself down and talk sense.

"I understand that you are not happy with the decision I made about the family property, that I'm giving one-third of it to the other son. But it's totally legal..." he tried to explain with patience.

Mrs. Davidson cut him short, angrily, "The other son?! I have only one son! Curt Davidson, you are shameless! Why should that bastard take what belongs to my son?!"

The past twenty years had seen her suffer quietly; had seen her lose her mind, and all that passive waiting only brought her to being taken advantage of, to a life without respect.

Curt looked at her as if he was looking at a mad lunatic. "They are both my sons." He said clearly.

"Is that so? Why didn't you accept that bastard in the very beginning then?" Mrs. Davidson retorted angrily.

Curt was rather taken aback. He stared at Mrs. Davidson for a while and said, "You've changed. You used to be kind and gentle, and you even welcomed Matt home before...I don't know you anymore..."

Standing behind the door, Nathalia listened and was shocked to hear that Mrs. Davidson would even welcome Matt. Silly mum. Poor woman. He's been cruelly taking advantage of her gentleness and kindness. What an ugly person he is! And he feels no guilt at all! It's so dangerous to love someone too much and forget oneself.

I will never be like that. If a man doesn't love anymore, then I will walk away. I can't be like mum. She thought to herself.

"I was stupid. I lost my mind. I loved you too much, and I lost myself in love. All I wanted was to make you happy, to live a life with you. Now I've realized that I was just too naïve." Mrs. Davidson said as tears streamed down her face. She let the pain run through her body. She let it all out.

She had to change for her son.

"What's happened to you? What changed you? I don't know you anymore." Curt questioned angrily.

With tears still running down her cheeks, Mrs. Davidson laughed, "When have you ever known me? Or cared to know me? You only see me as a possession. You threw my love away, spat on it, and stomped your foot on it! Now I've finally realized. You don't deserve my love; you don't deserve my time. You only cared about that bitch..."

Slap! It was so loud and sharp that it echoed.

Feeling fragile and exhausted, Mrs. Davidson was too slow to react. The slap came so suddenly and so hard that she lost her balance and fell onto the floor. Her head hit the hard corner of the sofa, and blood gushed out. It painted the carpet red.

"No!" Nathalia exclaimed, terrified, and rushed to Mrs. Davidson. She glared at Curt furiously. How could he! How could he hit her! He's merciless.

Curt looked at Nathalia, shocked, his hand still hanging up in the air, then looked at his wife lying on the floor. He seemed confused, as if he didn't understand what he had done.

Nathalia kneeled down next to Mrs. Davidson, checked on her worriedly, and saw a terrible cut on her head where blood gushed out and ran down her temple. "Mum." She tried to talk, but it came out as a quivering whisper.

Tears filled her eyes. Her heart was racing fast. "Mum," she said again, "Mum, you will be fine. Don't worry. You will be fine. Phone. Where's my phone?" she was panicking.

Mrs. Davidson seemed to have passed out. She didn't respond or move at all.

Calm down. Think. Think. What should I do? What should I do? Nathalia kept reminding herself to calm down and took a deep breath. I should have studied first aid. What should I do?

She went to the kitchen, rummaged about, and took out some bandages. Her hand was shaking as she put the bandage on the cut and tried to hold it still.

God. Please help us. Mum will be fine. Mum will be fine. She prayed and prayed as she watched Mrs. Davidson lying still with her eyes closed.

"How come you are here? When did you come in?" Curt suddenly asked.

Nathalia was still shaking from worries, and now she was even angrier with him. Are you kidding me?! You should be calling the ambulance now instead of asking me such a stupid question.

"She's your wife, the mother of your son! She's the person who loves the most! How could you hit her?! You're merciless! Call the ambulance!" Nathalia said helplessly.

Curt knitted his brows as if he was hesitating about something. He didn't seem to intend to make the call.

Worried and enraged, one hand holding the bandage, the other hand rummaging in the bag, she finally got her phone and managed to dial 911. Her hand was still shaking.

"Don't. Don't call the ambulance. It will be another scandal if the press finds out." Curt frowned and said.

Nathalia stared at him in disbelief. "Are you serious?! Are you trying to leave her to die?! So you don't need to go to court because you feel embarrassed?! So that you can keep your property safe?! Fuck you! You are shameless!" Now she was shaking with anger. She would have slapped him.

Nathalia dialed the number and called the ambulance. Curt didn't interfere.

"Nathalia." Mrs. Davidson opened her eyes slowly and said weakly. She looked so fragile and so pale.

"Mum. You will be fine. The ambulance will be here very soon. You will be fine." Nathalia assured her, holding back her tears and the immense fear inside her. "Mum, think about Spencer, think about us. We love you. Mum. Stay with me. Stay with me."