Chapter 2

Michael walked in then, home early for once.

"Daddy!" Ethan' s face transformed, the anger vanishing, replaced by a bright, eager smile. He ran to Michael.

"Daddy, can Jessica come live with us? I don't want her anymore," he said, jutting his chin towards Sarah.

Michael looked from Ethan to Sarah, a flicker of something – guilt? – in his eyes.

"Ethan, that's not nice to say about your mother," he said, his tone mild, almost placating.

He ruffled Ethan's hair.

Then he turned to Sarah, his expression shifting to one of weary patience.

He patted Ethan' s shoulder. "Go on, son, say sorry to your mom."

Ethan mumbled a "sorry" without looking at her, his eyes already darting to the game console Michael had bought him.

Michael offered Sarah a small, apologetic smile. "Kids, you know."

"Lenient parenting will ruin him, Michael," Sarah said, her voice flat. "He needs to understand consequences."

She gestured to where Buddy was still hidden, whimpering.

Michael waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, Sarah, don't be so dramatic. He's just a boy. He didn't mean it."

He put an arm around her shoulder, a gesture that once felt comforting, now felt like a cage.

"Besides, I have good news. I'm taking you to Napa for our anniversary. Just the two of us. A grand celebration."

He tried to sound enthusiastic, but his eyes were distant.

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through Sarah' s lower back, radiating outwards.

She gasped, clutching her side. Her single kidney, always a point of vulnerability.

The stress, the constant emotional battery, it was taking its toll.

Later that evening, she overheard Michael in his study.

He was on a video call, his voice low and intimate.

She crept closer, her heart pounding. It was Jessica. And Ethan was there too, laughing.

"I hate her, Daddy," Ethan was saying, his voice clear. "I wish Mommy Jess could be my real mom."

Jessica' s voice, saccharine sweet, cooed back.

"Oh, sweetie, your mom tries her best, I'm sure. It's just... some people aren't cut out for motherhood, you know?"

Her tone was innocent, but the malice was unmistakable.

Then Michael spoke, his words a final, brutal blow.

"Don't worry about Sarah, Jess. She's not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed. She needs me. She wouldn't know how to survive without me."

He chuckled, a low, contemptuous sound.

Sarah stumbled back, her hand pressed to her mouth to stifle a sob.

A fool. She had been an utter fool.

All her sacrifices, her love, her devotion – it meant nothing. Less than nothing.

He didn't just not love her; he despised her.

A cold detachment settled over her.

The pain in her side was a dull throb now, a constant reminder.

But even that didn't matter anymore.

His words echoed in her mind, but they couldn' t hurt her now.

She was already gone.

The pain flared again, sharper this time, making her gasp.

"System," she whispered, her voice tight. "The simulated demise... will it be painful?"

Before the interface could respond, the study door opened. Michael stood there, frowning.