My father wanted to live with his mistress and lied about everything to get away with it. But I discovered the whole truth during a chance encounter with someone I thought was dead.When I was eight years old, my mother was sent to the hospital. She was really sick, and my father took me to visit her every once in a while. But one day, he came home with sad news. “I’m sorry, Josh, your mother is gone,” he said.

I cried inconsolably that night, but Dad told me that we had to pack. “Where are we going?” I asked.

My mom spent a long time in the hospital, and then my dad said she died. | Source: Shutterstock

“We can’t stay in this town any longer with so many memories of your mother. We have to move and get a fresh start if we have a chance at getting over this loss,” he answered. So I helped out while crying for my mother and got in the car a few hours later.

We drove for what seemed like the longest time and eventually reached a house that wasn’t that different from the other one. “You’ll love it here, and you’ll make tons of new friends around the neighborhood,” he told me.

But a few days after moving in, a woman started showing up all the time. “Josh, this is Erika, a great friend,” my father introduced us.

My father married another woman quickly. | Source: Pexels

“It’s nice to meet you, Erika,” I said.

“Ah, yes, sure. So Owen, what are we having for dinner?” she answered, barely paying any attention to me and addressing my father only. I was confused, but my father was smiling. I wanted him to be happy.

But their happiness went really fast. They got married only a few months after my mother’s death, and Erika moved in with us. After the wedding, it became clear that she hated me. She yelled all the time and gave tons of chores.

She hated and yelled at me all the time. | Source: Pexels

I wasn’t a rebellious kid by any means, but nothing I did was right. “God! You’re useless just like your mother!” she exclaimed one day.

“Don’t talk about my mother! Did you know her?” I asked angrily.

“Of course, I knew her! Her sickness was bringing your father down, and he had to leave,” Erika yelled.

“Josh! What are you doing upsetting your new mother?!” my father suddenly walked in. He whispered something I couldn’t hear to Erika and continued frowning at me.

My father took her side every time. | Source: Pexels

“She started talking about my mother,” I replied.

“Don’t talk back to me. Go to your room and finish your homework now!” he said.

“Fine!” I answered and went to my room. Years passed, and Erika never wanted me around. As soon as I was old enough to take care of myself, they even went on long vacations without me. But I no longer cared. I didn’t want anything to do with that woman. However, she crossed the line one day.

I found her in my room touching my mother’s portrait. | Source: Pexels

I came home from school and saw her in my room. I was 17 years old and saving to leave this hell house. “What are you doing here?” I asked her irritably.

“I’m cleaning up this mess. Also, this picture has to go immediately. I will not tolerate another woman’s photo in my house. It’s been years. You have to move on,” Erika answered.

“Don’t you dare touch that picture!” I threatened.