Chapter 3: Hospital Beds and Breaking Points

Before Autumn was even out of the hospital, Travis was up to his old tricks. While she lay in bed, agonizing over medical bills, Travis was nowhere to be found—probably off with his mistress again.

The morning after Autumn was admitted, a friend called with more bad news: “Travis is organizing a high school reunion!” Unreal.

He didn’t even know—or care—that I’d taken his wife to the city hospital. He actually had the nerve to throw a party. I wanted to punch a hole in the wall.

I told my friend to livestream the whole thing for me. I needed to see just how low Travis could sink. Rock bottom.

Of course, the real reason for the party was to show off. If he could, he’d drive his F-150 through downtown with a megaphone, yelling, “I’m rich!” Thanksgiving meant a bigger audience for his circus. He loved the attention.

As usual, he brought his mistress, parading her around, introducing her as his girlfriend. My friend sent me a video: Travis, face shiny with grease, bragging about his “girlfriend.”

“This is my girlfriend. Pretty young, huh? Beautiful, right? Jealous?” he crowed, squeezing her waist and—God help me—even groping her in front of everyone. Disgusting. The crowd roared with laughter. His laugh was high-pitched and slimy. I nearly lost my lunch.

I showed the video to Autumn. I didn’t want to hurt her, but I needed her to see the truth. She watched it with dead eyes, no reaction at all. Nothing left.

“You’re lying here in a hospital bed while he’s out doing this, and you’re not angry?” I demanded. Empty.

She just shrugged. “You think this is the first time?”

I stared at her, speechless. If he can openly bring his mistress home, what wouldn’t he dare do? Nothing’s off limits.

Just thinking about it made me furious all over again. Autumn could endure it—I couldn’t. Fueled by rage, I stormed over to the reunion. Couldn’t stop myself.

When I got there, Travis was surrounded by greasy men, bragging about his clothing factory. I yanked him away from his mistress. No more games. “Your wife’s in the hospital and you’re out partying—have you no shame?”

He sneered, “Mind your own damn business!” If not for the crowd, I would’ve torn him apart. He wasn’t worth it. One spouse endures it all; the other never stops swaggering. I was at my wit’s end.

Autumn’s true awakening came after one more beating. It wasn’t the first time, but this time was different. This time, he crossed the line. No going back.

Autumn’s biggest fear, besides Travis, was what would happen to the kids. She was terrified she couldn’t support them alone, or that they’d become outcasts. Her children were her world—that’s why she put up with so much. She’d do anything for them.

Travis was a heavy drinker. When he got drunk, he’d beat Autumn, sometimes in the dead of night, her screams echoing through the house. No one came. But he never laid a hand on the kids—until one day, he came close.

The day after she was discharged, Autumn was doing chores. Travis stumbled in, drunk, and started smashing things. His parents hid, leaving Autumn alone in the living room, her daughter clinging to her, sobbing.

Annoyed by the noise, Travis grabbed a glass and hurled it at his daughter. It whizzed past her cheek, nearly blinding her. Too close. She froze in terror.

Autumn screamed, “Travis! What the hell do you want?” It was the first time in years she’d ever raised her voice to him. She finally snapped.

It didn’t help. His parents came out and took his side. But the next day, when Travis sobered up, Autumn finally asked for a divorce.

He pointed at her, voice dripping with contempt. “Divorce? Can you earn money? Do you have a car? A house? Can you support the kids? Without me, could you survive? You have nothing. What right do you have to ask for a divorce?”

His words left Autumn speechless. She used to be young, beautiful, hopeful. Now, she was beaten down, barely a shadow of herself.

She turned to me, voice trembling. “Savannah, I can’t take it anymore. I have to divorce him—you have to help me!”

I wanted to hug her, to say, “I’ve been waiting for you to say that.”