Never Ever by Sara Saedi Page B

most of them didn’t choose to lose their moms and dads.
    â€œAnd you’re okay with them just going on for the rest of their lives, not knowing what happened to us?” Joshua added.
    â€œThey never wanted us in the first place,” Wylie countered. “And besides, they’ve always said they wanted the best for us. Well, this is it.”
    Joshua got up from his bed and paced the room. It was something their father did every time he was stressed out or frustrated. Joshua mostly looked like their mom, but his facial expressions sometimes bore a striking resemblance to their dad. Wylie wondered if he was pacing on purpose to mess with her head.
    â€œThe divorce isn’t final yet. It won’t be for a long time. Maybe Mom and Dad just need a little time apart. You know what they say, you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. I mean, it’s not like there was cheating or abuse—something totally unforgivable between them.”
    â€œThat’s not entirely true,” Wylie blurted, no longer able to keep the secret from her brothers.
    â€œWhat’s that supposed to mean?” Micah asked.
    Wylie couldn’t look him in the eye. “Dad had an affair.”
    â€œDad would never do that,” Joshua said suspiciously. Wylie raised her head and made herself focus on her brother’s face.
    â€œHe would and he did. I found out a few months ago. We hadn’t had one of our father-daughter dinners in a long time, so I went to his office to surprise him with Chinese food. When I got there, mostly everyone had gone home, but his door was open a crack. I almost walked in, but there was someone else with him.”
    â€œMaybe it was just a coworker,” Micah interjected.
    â€œThey were kissing. And he told her it was only a matter of time before he left Mom and they could be together.”
    â€œYou swear you’re not making this up?” Joshua asked.
    â€œI swear on my life. They do work together. Her name’s Shannon. I heard them making all these plans. Getting their own little house in the Hamptons. Someplace cozy, but big enough for
all
the kids.”
    â€œShe has kids?” Micah asked.
    â€œYeah, I looked her up. She has two kids. A boy and a girl around our ages. Dad was my hero—you guys know that,” Wylie continued, trying to keep her emotions under control. “But in one moment, that changed completely. He’s not who I thought he was. He left us for another family.”
    â€œMom is going to have a nervous breakdown when she finds out,” Micah said.
    â€œShe already knows. I went straight home. I was upset, crying. Maybe I should have kept it to myself, but that didn’t seem right. So I told her.”
    â€œWhat did she say?” Micah asked.
    â€œShe said, ‘We are never to discuss this again.’ She changed her whole life for him. Gave up all of her dreams and plans. And even when he cheated on her, she wanted to sweep it under the rug, just like everything else.”
    â€œI hate them,” Micah muttered. “I really hate them both.”
    Joshua stopped pacing and collapsed on his bed. “Don’t say that.”
    â€œI didn’t want to tell you,” Wylie admitted, “but if we go home, we’re not going back to the same family we left.”
    â€œI think we’ve reached a stalemate,” Joshua said, defeated. “Let’s get some sleep and pick this back up in the morning.”
    Sleep was a terrible idea. Wylie was certain she wouldn’tget an ounce of rest, with her future hanging in the balance. She knew what she was about to say would hurt her brother even more, but a little short-term pain was well worth a lot of long-term happiness.
    â€œWhat’s there to pick back up? Joshua, this is your ‘get out of jail free’ card. Aren’t you thinking about what’s waiting for you in New York? Micah and I have to deal with a broken