1 Chapter 1

I have to admit that I have never been this furious and agitated at the same time. Argh! So frustrating! Why the hell does he have to do such a thing?

Slamming the car door shut, I stomped to my home. My home since birth, that now looks like just a house full of lies. I looked around the first level of the house, looking for my mother.

"You're home early. Shouldn't you be at your friend's house?" An elderly lady in a floral dress under a grey cardigan spoke.

"Abuelita," I hid my fury in a small fake smile. She never sees me angry. I was always a smiling person. "Have you seen mom?"

"Oh," Her sweet voice was sad. "Still locked up inside her room, dearie. I tried giving her dinner earlier, you know. She didn't manage to eat that much."

I nodded in response and proceeded up the stairs. Standing outside my mother's room, I hear her sobs.

How could I've let this happen to her? How could I've let her suffer alone?

Tears streamed down my face as I knocked on her door. "Mom? Can we talk?"

She gasped and sniffed. "Oh, s-sure, sweetie. Ju-just a minute-"

"You don't have to put such a view. I know you're crying." I wiped the teardrops on my cheeks. "And I know the reason why."

She peeped at the door, looking as fragile as ever. Swollen eyes, ghost-white skin, shaking figure.

"H-huh? How? I, I mean, w-what do..." She took a quivering inbreathe then smiled like she's alright. "What do you mean, Zavy?"

"We have to talk, mom."

She let me in her room, and goodness, it was a mess. There is tissue paper everywhere. I guess she was crying non-stop, and I mean, who wouldn't be miserable if someone cheated on you.

"Mom."

"Zavian,"

"You go first, mom." I sat on her bed.

"No, it's fine. You can go first." She sat beside me.

I let out a deep sigh.

Here it goes.

"I'm not sure if I'm right about the reason why you're not eating well and being so distant. If you don't this, I'm still going to have to tell you even though it will hurt." I watched her eyes became watery again. "This will hurt you. But it will hurt me too. You're not alone, mom."

Teardrops rolled down on her cheeks to her chin as she nodded.

"I was out with the boys to get pizza earlier. I drove them to the pizza shop and waited in my car. The building that dad works on was near. I said to my friends that I'm going to bring dad some pizza because he's on a night shift, and so I went." I paused to take a sharp breath to stop my tears from falling. "I asked one of his coworkers if dad's on a meeting or something, and he answered no. Walking to his office, I heard a woman's giggles. Then, I heard dad said that they should go by that time if they want to do it. The woman asked how long she has to wait to be his wife. Dad replied that he doesn't know but, he will be divorcing soon to be with her."

Mom is crying so hard that her whole body is shaking. I don't know what to do to comfort her. I'm crying more or less than her. It hurts so bad that I want to throw lots of piranha at his office where he and his chick flirts.

Mom stuttered to question, "What did you do next?"

I hugged her tight, crying my eyes out. "I'm sorry, mom. I couldn't do anything. I couldn't confront him. I couldn't fight him. All I have in my mind was you when I heard everything. So I quickly drove home, leaving my friends at the pizza parlor to be with you, to tell you everything."

Mom hugged me back. "You did the right thing, sweetie. Don't confront your dad, no matter what happened. He has given you your life and this wonderful home. Let him be happy."

I quickly broke the hug and stared intently at her. "Are you serious, mom?!"

She stared back at me but in a confused way.

"Dad is going to make you sign the divorce papers. And you're just going to let him?! What will happen to us? To your children?" I interrogated her.

She smiled genuinely. Her tears are still escaping. "You guys will live with your dad so you can have a better life."

"Mom..." I wept.

"I'll be alright, son. I'll stay here as long as I can, and when the time comes, I'll go." She kissed my forehead. "You should take some rest. Let's continue this tomorrow." Mom stood up and opened the door for me.

I got off her bed and made my way out of her door.

"Good night, sweetie." She faintly smiled. "I love you."

I glanced at her and replied, "I love you, too."

[Third Person's point of view]

2:30 am

"I love you all so much," Willow muttered to the pictures of her family. She placed the photographs on a small book that she then packed in her luggage. "All right, I got everything packed. I'm ready to go. At least, I think."

Softly, she walked out of her room and crept to the hallway. Willow didn't bother going into her children's room, for she knows that all of them are light sleepers. Taking one deep breath before exiting the house that has given her the best memories of her life, she silently burst into tears. "I will miss you all. Take care." She has gone out of the house.

But to her surprise, someone spoke.

"It won't be that easy."

"Zavian!" Willow jumped. "Geez! You gave me a heart attack! Uh, Wha-what are you doing here?"

"I already told you, mom. You're not alone. I'm here too. I'll be taking care of you." Zavian smiled at his mother.

"But-"

"Besides, you know I can't stand being around dad anymore." He cut her off. "Come on, ride in. Where do you wanna go?"

Willow sat on the passenger seat of Zavian's car as Zavian took the driver's seat.

"Hmmm... Maybe somewhere far from here?" She suggested.

"Antarctica, it is." He joked.

"Not that far, silly."

Zavian started the car.

"I don't want to go back home to your grandparents. They'll make a big fuss and will try to destroy your dad's career. Sheesh!" Willow chuckled.

"They should destroy dad's image too. He deserves that." He said through gritted teeth.

"Zavian. He's still your father that worked hard to give you a future." She caressed her son's arm.

Zavian just focussed on the road, not wanting to reply to what his mother said to him.

"I think I know where we should stay." Willow smiled brightly.

"Hmm?" Zavian briefly looked at her.

"Wisconsin!"