The Conspiracy of My Husband's First Love1
My six-year-old daughter, Avalynn Baldwin, couldn't eat spicy food due to a stomach condition. But on her birthday, my husband's first love, Megan Ellsworth, deliberately brought over a pot of Chili con Carne.
They claimed they wanted to "fix" Avalynn's picky eating habits and forced her to eat the chili laced with capsicum oleoresin.
Avalynn immediately felt unwell, but they insisted she was just putting on an act and went out shopping.
By the time I got home, Avalynn was barely clinging to life.
"Mommy, I'm so happy... Daddy finally spent my birthday with me..."
It wasn't until Avalynn passed away in my arms that I got a call from my husband, Crowley Baldwin.
"Tell your picky, lying daughter to apologize to Megan right now! She pretended to be sick and ruined Megan's day. I'm going to make her eat ten packets of chili at every meal as punishment!"
Tears streamed down my face. I said nothing. Deep inside, I swore I would make those who killed Avalynn pay!
——
After handling Avalynn's funeral, I brought her ashes back home.
As I passed by a print shop, I went in and printed out a divorce agreement.
I stumbled back home, but Avalynn didn't come running up to me with her usual bright smile.
That was when it really hit me. I realized that my little Avalynn was truly gone.
I cried for an entire day and night.
It wasn't until the cake on the table had melted that Crowley finally showed up.
"Where did that little brat go? Is she playing dead again? Megan was kind enough to cook for her, and she was still so picky, almost pushing Megan into a depression! You better take her to apologize to Megan!"
I thought, "You still don't know, do you? Avalynn is really gone now.
She's gone from me... forever."
Crowley tossed a bag of leftovers onto the table.
"See how kind Megan is? She worried you two might be hungry and insisted I bring this food back for you."
I glanced at the food he had brought back.
All of it was blazingly spicy.
When I opened it, the chili fumes made me cough uncontrollably.
I covered my mouth and nose and pulled out the divorce agreement.
"Crowley, let's get a divorce."
Crowley stared at me for a few seconds, then furiously flipped the table over.
Hot chili oil splattered all over me, burning my skin.