Bed of roses

Crystal clear

JOE’S POV

I stayed in a motel for week just to gather my thoughts together about the whole situation and I decided to go and pick a few things at home I had the keys with me .

I knew Martha would be at work so that was the best time to go a rush of anger ran through me as I stood there at the front porch before entering the house.

As I stepped into my bedroom, I was expecting the familiar sense of serenity and warmth. Instead, I was slammed with a crushing wave of shock and betrayal. On the dresser, a stack of papers lay waiting - divorce papers.

My heart plummeted as I picked them up, scanning the contents with a growing sense of dread. But it was the attached document that delivered the devastating blow. In black and white, it stated that I was not Brian's biological father

The words cut through me like a knife, leaving me breathless and reeling.

How could Martha do this to me? To us? We'd built a life together, a family, on a foundation of love, trust, and loyalty. And now, it was all being mercilessly torn apart. Memories of all the times I'd been there for Brian, all the laughter, tears, and milestones we'd shared, flooded my mind. Was it all a lie? A facade?

Thomas's face flashed before my eyes, and I couldn't help but wonder if he was the mastermind behind this betrayal. Had he manipulated Martha into leaving me?

The thought ignited a firestorm of anger within me, but I knew I had to keep a level head. I had to think about what was best for Brian, for our family.

As I stood there, trying to process the chaos swirling around me, a sense of determination began to stir within me. I wouldn't go down without a fight. I would do everything in my power to protect my family, to keep us together. I would not let Martha and Thomas destroy everything we'd built.

But little did I know, this was only the beginning of a long, painful, and brutal battle - a battle for my family, my dignity, and my sanity.