How to Destroy a Cheater Without Saying Goodbye novel Chapter 23

Blanche heard the door open.

She had no desire to acknowledge him—not even a glance.

She squeezed her eyes shut, feigning sleep.

Only twenty-eight days left. It would be over soon.

Eddy noticed Blanche lying quietly, unresponsive, and assuming she was asleep, he sat at her bedside. He gently took her cold hand in his own, his dark eyes welling with emotion that threatened to spill over.

Kelvin's words echoed in his mind: If Blanche ever found out about him and Jeannette, there'd be a divorce—she'd leave for good.

But here she was, lying docilely in the hospital bed, showing no sign she knew the truth.

He was the one who cared too much, always anxious, always afraid of losing her.

"My love, you can never leave me," he whispered.

"I'll keep you safe. I won't let anything happen to you again."

He reached out, resting his other hand gently on her lower abdomen, stroking her softly.

Blanche felt the warmth of his palm, and a single tear slipped from the corner of her eye.

She'd always suffered from painful periods, and things had only gotten worse after giving birth to Healy. During those times, Eddy would stay by her side, making sure she took her medicine, rubbing her stomach, soothing her to sleep.

Now, that same tenderness felt like poison, making every moment with him unbearable.

She couldn't put her pain into words—her whole body ached.

She didn't know how long she lay there, exhausted, before finally falling asleep.

When she woke, she was in the backseat of the SUV, parked near Healy's preschool.

Her purse was beside her.

Blanche fished out her phone and dialed Sophie, hoping to ask about what had happened at the hospital. The call rang several times but went unanswered. Blanche could only hang up and sigh.

It was 4:30 in the afternoon—time for Healy to be picked up.

Eddy was probably already inside.

Her head was heavy and clouded. She stepped out of the car, hoping a short walk would clear her mind.

Jeannette, still facing away from Eddy, allowed herself a triumphant little smile before quickly masking it with a look of gentle understanding. She turned to Healy, her voice soft and reasonable. "Healy, you can't leave your mom and dad just for me—especially your mom."

"She'd be heartbroken without you."

"I get it!" Healy shot back. "It's Mom who's making you leave, isn't it? That's why you never come to our house anymore. They're like oil and water now…"

"Why is Mom so mean? She's just a bad person!"

Hearing her child's words, Blanche couldn't bear the pain any longer. She pressed her hand against her chest, trying to hold herself together.

But she wasn't going to run anymore.

Let it hurt—maybe once it hurt enough, it would finally stop.

Suddenly, a sharp slap cracked through the air. Eddy had struck Healy across the face.

It was the first time Blanche had ever seen Eddy lay a hand on their son.

Her heart leapt into her throat. No matter what Healy had done, nothing could justify hitting him.