The last pieces 3

Chapter 3 

Tabitha 

The last two days have been nothing short 

of misery. Kyle’s parents have been 

inconsolable. Their only son has died and they 

feel that loss unlike anything I could have 

imagined. Kyle’s mother, who has never been my 

biggest fan, has all but refused to even look at 

me since it happened. Mason had called them 

and told them the news since I was 

unresponsive. The thoughts of speaking to 

people and seeing the looks on their faces when 

they learn how he died are almost more than I 

can bear. The guilt of it all was gnawing away at 

me like a mouse with a piece of cheese. Every 

second more of me gets chipped away and lost 

for good, never to return. 

“Tabitha, the plans for the funeral need to be 

made. I know he’s at Whitman’s and they’ve 

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offered to bring things here for us to take a look 

1. at. I know you’re not ready to go outside just 

yet.” My father–in–law Hampton says. Even 

though his wife has never liked me, Hampton has 

always been kind. There are times when I 

wondered if Kyle could have ever come from this 

man. They were as different as night and day. 

I look up at Hampton and give him a weak 

nod. I’ve not been able to talk much since the 

day it happened. I had screamed so much that 

my voice had given out and I was trying to save 

my strength for the funeral. There was a knock 

at the door and he went to open it. Outside 

stood Mason and Brittany, but there was 

someone behind them. I couldn’t see well, but I 

heard Hampton invite them in. It shocked me to 

see that it was Heather Marshall, a friend of mine 

from high school. 

Standing next to her was a little boy, around 

five years old who looked like the spitting image 

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of Kyle. My heart stopped at that moment and I felt my hand go to my mouth. Mason led them all into the living room where Alexandra my mother- 

in–law and I were seated. I looked at Brittany and 

noticed she couldn’t look me in the face. I turned 

to Mason, and he had a blank look on him. They 

knew something. They knew something, and it 

was about to turn my world upside down. 

“All of you know Heather, and this is her son, 

Kyle. Tabitha, there are some things that I need 

to tell you about.” Mason says. 

Everything within me is begging him to stay 

quiet. I don’t want to hear it, not after what I had 

to witness two days ago. As if Kyle hadn’t 

already ripped my heart out enough, I’m going to 

have to hear the one thing no wife wants to hear. 

“Kyle and Heather have been together for 

the last ten years.” Mason says. 

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Hampton looked as if he was about to hit 

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something. He was so angry. Alexandra sat 

stone still like it wasn’t a shock to her. All I could 

do was close my eyes and will the tears that I 

knew were going to go away. Kyle and I had only 

been married for five years. That means he was 

seeing Heather while we were still dating. I’ve 

been living a lie for so long. 

“That’s not all.” Heather says. 

“A month ago, Kyle forged your signature on 

divorce papers. He then married Heather. 

Everything will go to her. He changed everything 

so that your name is on nothing.” Mason said. I 

look at Mason and see that this isn’t shocking to 

him. How is any of this even possible? 

out. 

“How long have all of you known?” I croak 

“Brittany and I have known the entire time.” 

Mason says. He at least has the decency to look 

ashamed. 

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“I’ve known as well. I was the one who told 

him to start a relationship with her. I knew you 

wouldn’t be able to give him what he wanted.” 

Alexandra says. 

“Alex!” Hampton yells. I jumped in surprise. 

“You knew about this and allowed it to go on?” 

“Of course I did. You know Tabitha has never 

been good enough for him! I was only protecting 

my boy!” she yells. She then turns to me and I 

see accusation in her eyes. “What did you do to 

make him kill himself? He never would have done 

this with how much he loved Heather and their 

child?” 

All at once, it was like everything broke 

inside of me. I couldn’t feel any more pain, hurt, 

or sadness. I began to laugh. The more I tried to 

stop the harder I laughed. The room fell silent 

and everyone watched me as I had my nervous 

breakdown. I finally got control of myself and let 

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what I was thinking come out. 

Chapter 4