Alex was halfway out when Amanda called, “Your wallet!” He grinned, kissing her cheek. “Thanks—I’ll wrap up early for us.”
She waved him off, tackled chores, then crashed on the couch. His phone rang under a cushion—unknown caller. It hit voicemail before she could grab it.
“Hi, Dad!” a boy chirped. “I’m waiting—hurry!” Amanda’s blood chilled. Dad? She couldn’t unlock it to call back.
Doubt surged—was he unfaithful? She rang Jerry, his assistant. “Is Alex in?” “No, I’m subbing,” Jerry said, and her heart sank.
A kid’s voice, no work—deception loomed. Alex rushed in then. “My phone—where is it?” She masked her fury with a smile.
“Bedroom, maybe?” She fetched it, slipping her GPS band into his car. He dashed off, and she tailed him, tense.
He detoured from his route, stopping at a house miles away. Gift in hand, he went in. A boy emerged—Alex hugged him, heading next door.
Through the window, Alex kissed the kid’s cheek. She barged in, livid. “What’s this?” “Daddy, who’s that?” the boy asked, and Alex froze.
“My son,” he admitted, sending the kid off. “Four years—another family.” She reeled. “Four years? You offer half and think I’m done?”
“I’m sorry,” he muttered. “We’re just routine—take it.” “No!” she roared, fleeing home to wine and rage.
Dylan joined her. “Mom, what’s up?” “Your dad’s a cheater,” she said. “I knew,” he confessed. “He told me.”
“You hid it?” she screamed. “I pushed him to tell you,” Dylan said. “Out!” she snapped, and he stormed off.
She plotted at Alex’s office, cracking his safe—tax fraud proof. “Come over,” she said, “or jail.” He arrived, furious. “What’s this?”
“Ditch them, or else,” she said, tossing papers. “That saved Dylan!” he yelled. Dylan stormed in. “Mom, no—Dad kept me alive.”
“I’m done,” Dylan said, leaving. Alex added, “I won’t return—do it.” Her plan twisted darker.
At the casino, she met Mr. Rodriguez. “Hitman,” she said, showing Alex’s photo. “Accident—money’s fine.” He agreed.
At a park, she gave a man $20,000. “No traces,” she ordered. “I pity you,” he said—a cop cuffed her, a trap.
Alex and Dylan watched. “Casino snitched,” Alex said. Dylan’s tears burned as she faced the fallout, alone.
