Part 3The Muse Reboots Her Fatal System

I expected Harrison to be guilty. I didn't expect him to be murderous.

He snatched the phone from my hand and smashed it against the wall. A shard of glass flew up, slicing my cheek. Blood trickled down my face. He didn't even blink.

"Who the hell gave you permission to touch my phone, Valerie?"

He raised his hand again, but Toby threw himself in front of me. "Dad, don't! Please don't hurt her!"

I pulled Toby back, laughing coldly. "So the mask is off, Harrison? You’re willing to trash seven years of marriage and your son for a woman who treats men like a buffet line?"

"I asked you a question," he hissed. "Don't touch my things."

"I’ll touch whatever I want."

He stormed out. Minutes later, the front door opened. It wasn't just Harrison leaving; it was Becca and the three "best bros" arriving.

Becca was in a bikini that was basically three strings. She saw the tension in the room and smirked, throwing herself into Harrison’s arms.

"Trouble in paradise, bro?"

She wrapped her legs around his waist, grinding against him right there in my living room. I shielded Toby’s eyes, my blood boiling.

"Valerie, I told you," Becca purred. "Men need their space. You’re just making him miserable. Why don't you go be a 'good mom' somewhere else while the adults play?"

Harrison gripped her hips, his hands wandering shamelessly. "Why are you here?" his voice was a low growl, completely different from the tone he used with me.

"I figured the resort was too far. Why not just use your giant pool? I want to learn how to swim, Harrison. You’re going to teach me, right?"

The other three men—Nate, Tyler, and Wes—crowded around, their eyes full of lust and jealousy.

"I can teach you too, Becca," Nate muttered.

"My turn for a hug," Wes added.

Harrison’s possessiveness flared. He carried her out toward the pool deck, the other men following like a pack of hounds.

I sat on the floor with Toby. He was crying quietly, wiping the blood from my cheek. "Mom, this isn't how it was in the script. It’s getting worse."

I hugged him tight. Hang on, Toby.

[SYSTEM REBOOT: 85%]