Third POV
“How is this possible?” Asher muttered under his breath.
He stood rooted to the spot, all air completely sucked out of his lungs.
At first, Asher thought that Estelle had just been unreachable for a few days whilst she was out of town, settling so pack responsibilities. However, he didn’t think that she had returned, packed her things, and completely moved out.
It was as though she had never existed.
Asher was too caught up by his surprise that he didn’t even hear Hazel’s car pulling into the driveway outside. She ran into the room and found him staring at the empty space.
“Asher...”
“Why didn’t you tell that she moved her things?” Asher yelled before pinching his eyebrow.
“I—” Hazel stuttered. “I didn’t know! I’ve only been into Finn’s room. I assud she was just gone most of the ti for work...”
Small footsteps echoed up the corridor.
Finn appeared in the doorway, rubbing his eyes.
“Daddy?” Finn’s voice was hoarse from being sick. “Mommy? Why are you shouting?”
Hazel imdiately moved toward him, but Finn’s gaze had already shifted to the empty bedroom. His green eyes widened as he took in the bare walls and vacant closet.
“Where did all the stuff go?” Finn asked, stepping into the room.
Asher’s jaw clenched. “Estelle moved out.”
“She what?” Finn’s face lit up with sudden excitent. “Really? She’s gone? Forever?”
“Finn,” Hazel warned gently, but there was evident relief in her eyes too.
“This is the best day ever!” Finn jumped up and down, his earlier fatigue completely forgotten. “The evil witch finally left! We don’t have to pretend anymore!”
Asher stared at his son’s celebration. The boy was practically dancing around the empty room.
“Daddy, does this an Mommy can finally live with us all the ti?” Finn grabbed Hazel’s hand. “Can we be a real family now?”
“Yes, sweetheart,” Hazel said softly, stroking Finn’s hair. “We can be together now.”
“Good!” Finn clapped his hands together. “I hated that an lady anyway. She was always trying to boss around.”
Asher’s anger flared suddenly. All the frustration from having his carefully constructed world fall apart erupted at once.
“Don’t talk about her like that,” he snapped.
Finn’s smile faltered. “But Daddy, you said she was just temporary. You said she didn’t matter.”
“I never said that.” Asher’s voice rose dangerously.
“You did!” Finn’s lower lip trembled. “You told Mommy that the evil witch was just there to take care of until I got older. You said she ant nothing!”
The truth of his son’s words stung. Asher had said those things. But hearing them repeated back to him now, seeing the complete emptiness where Estelle’s life had been, made him feel sick.
“She took care of you for five years,” Asher said through gritted teeth. “Show so respect.”
“Why should I?” Finn’s voice grew defiant. “She was an to ! She never let do anything fun. She made go to bed early and eat healthy food. She’s a terrible person! She separated Mommy from Daddy and tried to replace Mommy!”
Asher’s hand moved before he could think. The slap echoed through the empty room like a gunshot.
Finn stumbled backward, his small hand flying to his reddening cheek. Shock filled his green eyes before tears started streaming down his face.
“Asher!” Hazel rushed forward, dropping to her knees beside their son. “What is wrong with you?”
Finn sobbed into his hands, his small body shaking. The sound cut through Asher’s rage like ice water.
“He needed to learn—”
“He’s a child!” Hazel’s eyes blazed with fury. “A sick child who hasn’t even recovered from a week-long fever! How dare you hit him!”
She gathered Finn into her arms, pressing his face against her shoulder. His cries were muffled but no less heartbreaking.
“You’ve never raised your hand to him before,” Hazel continued, her voice deadly quiet. “But the mont he says sothing about that woman, you lose control?”
Asher opened his mouth to defend himself, but no words ca.
“Mommy,” Finn whimpered against Hazel’s neck. “Why did Daddy hit ? Did I do sothing wrong?”
“No, baby.” Hazel stood up, lifting Finn with her. “You didn’t do anything wrong. Daddy just... made a mistake.”
She shot Asher a look that could have lted steel. “A big mistake.”
Hazel carried Finn toward the hallway, clearly intending to put distance between them and Asher.
“Where are you going?” Asher called after them.
“Away from you,” Hazel replied coldly. “Until you figure out what’s more important.”
She disappeared into one of the other bedrooms with Finn. The door slamd shut behind them, followed by the distinct sound of a lock clicking into place.
In the room, Hazel tried her best to comfort her son.
“I don’t understand,” Finn’s voice carried through the thin door. “Why did Daddy get so angry? I thought he would be happy that the evil witch is gone too.”
“Shh, sweetheart.” Hazel’s voice was gentle but firm. “Don’t worry about Daddy right now. Let’s just focus on you feeling better.”
“But Mommy,” Finn persisted. “Does Daddy still love us? He’s never been an to before. Not like that.”
Hazel’s heart tightened.
“Of course he loves us,” Hazel said. “He’s just been bewitched by that evil woman.”
Finn’s eyes widened. anwhile, Hazel’s fists clenched with hatred.
“She did sothing to your father’s mind and made him think he cared about her when he didn’t really.”
“Like black magic?”
“Sothing like that.” Hazel’s voice grew harder. “She was very good at tricking people. Making them believe she was kind and good when really she was selfish and manipulative.”
“So she’s like a real witch?” Finn’s voice perked up with interest. “With evil spells?”
“Yes,” Hazel said firmly. “She cast spells on your father to make him protect her. But now that she’s gone, the spell will wear off. He’ll go back to normal.”
“When?”
“Soon, I hope.”
Finn was quiet for a mont. When he spoke again, his voice was small and vulnerable.
“Mommy? What if Daddy doesn’t go back to normal? What if he still likes the evil witch more than us?”
“That will never happen,” Hazel said fiercely. “I won’t let it. Your father belongs with us, Finn. We’re his real family. That woman was just... a mistake that lasted too long.”
“Promise?”
“I promise, baby. The evil witch is gone forever, and she’s never coming back. It’s just going to be you, , and Daddy from now on. The way it always should have been.”
Finn finally stopped crying and nodded.
At the sa mont, a knock ca from outside.
“Hazel, can I co in?” Asher asked.
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