Episode 5

**Aziel**

When I got to my parents' house, Aspen was already there.

I knew because I saw Carolina's car parked out front.

I walked in and found my ex-wife sitting in the living room, arms crossed over her chest.

Her face wore an unreadable expression.

Across from her sat my parents.

Aspen was ignoring them.

That surprised me. She'd always been so polite to my family, even when they belittled her and said awful things.

Her eyes met mine and, once again, they were empty.

As if she could no longer see me at all.

It made my chest ache.

*Where are you\, Aspen?*

I walked over to them. My parents noticed me and relaxed.

"Aziel, tell this woman she can't just show up here whenever she wants like she's still your wife," my mother said with disdain.

"Right, let her know you two are divorced," my younger brother Miles chimed in. "Tell her you're marrying her sister," my father added, reminding me of my own choices.

I was about to respond, but Aspen spoke first.

"I came here for my son. And I'm not leaving without him. So every last one of you, shut the hell up," she said, her voice dripping with contempt.

Every time this new Aspen spoke, it stopped me dead in my tracks.

The Aspen I married was sweet, tender, loving. Even when I treated her with nothing but coldness and cruelty.

She always looked at me the same way -- with love.

She'd smile at me like I was the only man in the world.

Those eyes overflowing with love that used to repulse me.

That radiant smile I used to hate so much.

They're gone.

There's nothing there.

Where are you, Aspen?

Where did you go?

Are you angry with me?

Do you hate me?

I wanted to know. For some reason I couldn't explain, I needed to hear her say it.

But looking at her, I realized she didn't owe me an explanation.

I did this.

I did this to her. To my wife.

I treated her like garbage. I belittled her, treated her like the worst person on earth.

There was so much hatred in my heart for Aspen that I never noticed what my behavior was doing to her.

Maybe I didn't notice because, despite everything, she always came back to me -- loving me, worshipping the ground I walked on.

But now, looking at the woman who was once my wife --

Seeing her so distant, so cold, so withdrawn... It makes me wonder: what kind of man am I?

When I found out Dakota was back, I didn't wait a single day before asking Aspen for a divorce.

After the divorce, I didn't wait a single week before celebrating my new engagement.

Meanwhile, Aspen was alone.

Alone, unable to even express her pain, because she had no one by her side.

I walked toward her.

"Aspen, I--"

"Mommy!" My son's voice cut me off. I turned and saw his face fill with horror at the sight of his mother's injuries.

Calen ran into his mother's arms as tears began streaming from his eyes.

"W-What happened to you, Mommy?" Calen choked out between sobs.

Aspen took our son into her arms, cradling him as he buried his face against her chest, seeking comfort.

"Shh... Calm down, sweetheart. Mommy's fine," I watched as she gently stroked our son's hair.

"D-Does it hurt?" the boy asked, his voice trembling.

She softly wiped away his tears, then pressed her forehead against his.

"Nothing hurts. Mommy is super strong," she said, giving him a smile that was sweet and real.

The sight made my heart ache.

That smile -- the same smile she used to give me -- now exists only for our son.

"W-What happened, Mommy? Y-You said you were going to your family's house. Why do you have so many cuts?" He started crying again.

I watched as Aspen held our son's face in her hands.

"It was a mistake, Calen," she began. "I need you to understand this very clearly -- Mommy doesn't have a family. No grandparents, no parents, no siblings." Her words landed like a verdict. "My only family is you." She pointed at him, then kissed his forehead. "It was always you, and your Aunt Carolina. No one else. Understand?"

Calen nodded and buried himself in his mother's arms again.

He was scared from hearing about the accident.

I wanted to go to her, but hearing those words -- damn it.

It didn't surprise me one bit.

She doesn't consider me family.

And honestly, I can't blame her.

I was a shit husband.

"Say goodbye to your dad, baby. We're going home," she announced, getting to her feet.

My son came to me and wrapped his arms around me, saying goodbye.

I wanted to stop her.

To talk to her. But the words got stuck in my throat.

I deserve this.

I deserve Aspen's hatred and contempt.

Because that's exactly what she got from me.

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