However, I am willing to offer child support and an additional $100,000,” he offered calmly. Sarah yelled several expletives at his audacity and walked off.

At home, she thanked her neighbor, checked that Adam was soundly sleeping, and went to check the prenup. Arnold was right.

Their agreement was tight, and there was no fidelity clause.

Recklessness took over. Sarah went straight to their safe, put in the combination–their anniversary–and got everything inside—cash, jewelry, etc. She placed everything inside a bag, but as she breathed heavily, staring at the empty safe, taking the stuff didn’t seem enough.

Arnold could make more money easily.

So, she went to her computer, and in a moment of extreme desperation, she looked for ways to purchase a gun.

After a deep dive, Sarah discovered advice on how to get one quickly without a permit or registration.

Grabbing her keys and the money bag, Sarah carried a sleeping Adam to her car, knowing she couldn’tleave him alone.

She drove to the address she had found online–a mostly empty area with brick-walled factories and flickering street lights.

She hadn’t been there long when a young guy, not much older than a teenager, approached her car.

He had a wary look in his eyes. “Looking for something special?” he asked, his voice low. “You won’t find better stuff anywhere else.”

Sarah stuttered, “I ne-need a g-gun.

With a silencer. Can you get it?” Her heart was racing.

She turned back quickly, checking that Adam was still soundly asleep. “Do you have cash?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

she nodded.

“Wait here,” he said, entering one of the buildings. He returned shortly with something wrapped in a blanket and whispered, “10K.” Sarah nodded and got the money from her bag, exchanging things quickly.

“Leave now,” he urged, looking around anxiously. She didn’t have to be told twice.

Sarah parked her car near Nancy’s house. Her heart was pounding, and her thoughts were swirling.

She turned to Adam, who had woken at last. “Stay here.

I’ll be right back,” she said, trying to sound calm. She stepped out of the car with the bag in her hands, walked towards Nancy’s house with firm steps, and knocked thrice.

After a minute that felt like an eternity, the door opened. There she was.

“Sarah? What are you doing here?” Nancy asked, swallowing. “I just want to talk.

Can we do that?” Sarah said.

Nancy nodded and let her inside. Arnold was sitting at the kitchen table, drinking a beer. Sarah didn’t say a word as she sat beside him.

After a few tense minutes, she asked, “How long?”

“Months,” he answered. “I’m sorry, Sarah. I should have told you earlier.

I never wanted to hurt you.” “But you did,” she said, her voice breaking.

“Why her?” “I don’t know. It just happened.” “Just happened?” Sarah asked. No one uttered another word as she raised her voice.

“JUST HAPPENED? JUST HAPPENED!”

Her nerves destroyed and in a sudden rage, Sarah stood up, the chair scraping across the floor. She reached for the bag she had brought with her, pulled out the gun, and pointed it at him.

Arnold flinched back in his chair, raising his hands.

Nancy screamed. But Sarah was too far gone. “You ruined my life!

So why should you live?” she demanded and clicked the trigger.

But nothing happened. There was no gunshot. She only had one second to look confused before the door burst open.

“FREEZE!” Sarah stared at the officers pointing their own guns at her, and she just… gave up.

Her hand went limp, and the loud clash of metal against tile bounced around the room. They surrounded and handcuffed her quickly, and she didn’t put up a fight.

The police had been staking out the brick-walled factories, suspecting illegal activity, and followed her after witnessing the purchase.

She was led to the squad car where she watched through the window as Nancy and Arnold reached for Adam, who had been taken out of her vehicle by the cops.

She heard a loud “Mommy!” before the authorities took her away. *** Months later, Sarah stood in court, listening to a judge hand down her sentence.

“This court recognizes the emotional turmoil you have experienced.

However, the law is clear, and it must be upheld.”

He gave her the minimum required by the state for attempted first-degree murder – 20 years in prison.

She turned in the courtroom to see Arnold and Nancy nodding as if relieved. Adam was in Nancy’s arms. Sarah closed her eyes as the guards pulled her away.

I’ll never see him again…