Part 2The Muse Reboots Her Fatal System

The room went deathly silent.

Harrison’s face went from red to a sickly, bruised purple. Under the watchful eye of his "first love," he made a choice. He swung his hand.

Slap.

"Enough!"

I wasn't fast enough. Toby was on the floor, his small hand clutched to his red cheek.

"What the hell are you doing?!" I shoved Harrison back, pulling Toby into my arms.

Harrison looked away, jaw set. It was Becca who spoke up, her voice dripping with fake concern. "Valerie, don't blame Harrison. The kid needs boundaries. If you won't give them to him, someone has to."

"Exactly," Harrison muttered. "He needs to learn what not to say. Forget it. I’m taking Becca to the clinic. You stay here and deal with him."

They left. Just like that. The heavy front door slammed, leaving me alone in the foyer with my son. I checked Toby’s face; Harrison hadn't held back. The swelling was already starting.

"I’m so sorry, baby," I whispered, tears pricking my eyes. I hated myself for waiting so long to wake the System. If I had been "The Muse" earlier, no one would have dared touch us.

Toby shook his head. He leaned into my ear. "Mom, remember what I said? I know the script."

"I provoked him on purpose. If he hadn't hit me, he would have hit you."

On the way to the pediatric urgent care, Toby explained. In the "script" he knew, Becca was a woman who had burned through her life abroad and came back to systematically destroy the lives of the four men who had worshipped her in college.

In that version of the story, Harrison was her favorite trophy. And the story ended with Becca driving me to a bridge and watching me jump.

"I love you, Mom. I love Dad too. I didn't want anyone to get hurt."

I stroked his hair in silence. I decided I would talk to Harrison tonight. One last chance for our family.

I waited until midnight. Then one a.m.

Harrison didn't come home. Instead, my phone buzzed with a notification. Becca had posted on Instagram.

Becca: A real 'bestie' is the guy who feeds you your favorite street tacos when you're feeling down.

The photo: Her leaning into Harrison’s side, him holding a taco to her mouth. They both looked radiant.

I "liked" the photo. Seconds later, a second post appeared. This one was "Close Friends" only—she must have added me just to twist the knife.

Becca: As a 'thank you,' I let my bro have a little taste.

The photo was a close-up of her hand guiding Harrison’s hand onto her chest. Her smile was pure malice.

Harrison was compromised. He was "dirty."

Toby leaned over my shoulder. I covered his eyes with my hand. "Go to sleep, honey."

[SYSTEM REBOOT: 35%]

Harrison didn't crawl back until the next morning. He had a fresh, angry hickey on his neck.

I was sitting on the sofa. I didn't offer him coffee. "What’s on your neck, Harrison?"

Without Becca there to perform for, he tried to play the "Good Husband" again. He covered the mark with his hand. "Mosquito bite."

"That’s one hell of a mosquito."

He gave me a sheepish, manipulative grin and knelt by my feet. "Val, come on. Don't be like this. Look, I went all the way across town to get those lemon tarts you like. Let's just move past yesterday. Toby was out of line."

"My son was telling the truth."

Harrison’s face chilled. I didn't give him a chance to speak; I grabbed him by the ear and shoved him toward the stairs. "Go wash. Use the strongest soap we have. Scrub until you bleed."

While he was in the shower, I did what Toby suggested. I broke into his phone.

I found the group chat: "The Queen’s Court."

It was new. The first message was from Becca.

Becca: @Everyone, I’m still an 'invalid' from my fall yesterday. I want a spa day at the Hot Springs Resort tomorrow. No excuses.

The replies from Harrison’s three best friends—Nate, Tyler, and Wes—were instantaneous. All they were waiting for was Harrison.

I opened the camera. I was wearing a silk slip that left very little to the imagination. I crawled into our bed, took a shot that highlighted every curve, and hit send from Harrison’s account.

Harrison: Sorry guys. Spending the day with the wife. Have fun.

The chat exploded.

Nate: Damn, Harrison. Lucky bastard.

Tyler: Valerie is still the hottest woman I’ve ever seen.

Wes: Can’t blame a man for staying home for that.

It was working. But Becca wasn't going down without a fight.

Becca: Oh, so Harrison's a 'wife guy' now? Cute. But anything she can give you, I can give you better. Or have you forgotten how I taste after seven years?

Then, she sent a photo. She was wearing nothing but a strategically placed towel.

Becca: If you guys have forgotten, I think it’s time for a private reunion. Who’s in?

The men in the chat scrambled like dogs over a bone. I felt a wave of nausea. Then, a private message popped up from Becca to Harrison.

Becca: Valerie might say no, Harrison, but we both know what you want.

I blocked her.

[SYSTEM REBOOT: 65%]