Angelus Ultionis

Chapter 2

I enjoyed every moment of the field trip with my son, Tommy. Watching him light up with excitement as he saw each animal made all the worries fade into the background, if only for a while. He was absolutely mesmerized by the zoo, running from exhibit to exhibit, his eyes wide with wonder.

“Mommy, I want to be a tiger!” he exclaimed, bouncing on his feet as we stood in front of the big cats. Then, after a few minutes, he ran over to the lion’s enclosure, pointing eagerly. “No, wait! I want to be a lion. They’re so cool!” His excitement was infectious, and soon he was declaring that he wanted to be an alligator, a monkey, and even a penguin. It went on and on, his imagination running wild, and I couldn’t help but smile, seeing how happy he was.

For those few hours, everything felt perfect. I watched him laugh and explore, his joy so pure and innocent. In those moments, I knew I had to do everything in my power to protect that happiness. I had to be the one who made sure he continued to feel safe and loved.

As the day came to an end, a quiet resolve settled over me. I couldn’t let Tommy grow up in the chaos that had taken over my marriage. I had to fight for him—for his future. I would do whatever it took to get custody of my son, to make sure he was raised in a home full of love, not tension and neglect. And I would divorce Trevor. There was no going back now.

I looked at Tommy as he sat in the bus, still chattering about the animals, and my heart filled with determination. I would do my best to give him the life he deserved—one where he felt loved every single day.

As we returned from the field trip, the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the school. Waiting in front of Tommy's daycare was our driver, standing patiently by the car. He greeted us with a nod and quickly came over to help with our bags. Tommy, completely exhausted from the excitement of the day, had fallen asleep in my arms. I carefully lifted him into the car, making sure not to wake him, and gently laid him across the back seat.

Once we were settled in, the car started moving, the familiar hum of the road lulling me into a sense of calm. I watched Tommy sleep, his little face peaceful and serene. His day had been full of joy, and for a moment, everything felt right.

As the minutes passed, I felt my own eyelids growing heavy, the weight of the day catching up with me. The quiet, rhythmic sound of the car moving along the road only added to my drowsiness. I fought against the urge to sleep, knowing I had a few things left to handle before I could truly rest. I couldn’t afford to let my guard down, not now.

I pulled out my phone and hesitated for a second before dialing Trevor’s number. I needed to know if he was at home. It wasn’t out of longing—I had no expectations of him anymore. It was purely practical. I didn’t want to walk into any more surprises, and with everything happening, I needed to be prepared.

I tried calling Trevor several times, but each ring went unanswered. I knew exactly where he was—probably with his first love, Stephanie. My heart tightened for a moment, but I quickly pushed the feeling aside. I had already made my decision about the divorce, and soon, none of this would matter.

When we finally pulled up to the house, I let out a small sigh of relief. The driver helped gather our things from the trunk, carrying them into the kitchen as I carefully lifted Tommy from the back seat. He was still sound asleep, worn out from the field trip, his little body limp in my arms. I carried him upstairs, his head resting against my shoulder, and gently changed him into his pajamas. As I tucked him into bed, his soft breathing filled the quiet room, and I kissed his forehead, whispering, “Goodnight, sweetheart.”

Downstairs, our home helper approached me, her expression hesitant. "Ma'am, would it be alright if I leave early tonight? I need to visit a close friend." Her tone was polite but hopeful. I gave her a reassuring smile, knowing she’d been a great help.