I found out later from a mutual friend , who still had one foot in the Gallagher circle , that my absence caused a bit of a storm . Apparently , during dinner , Henry , Finn , and Madeline were sitting around the long oak table like some happy little trio . Henry , that spoiled little brat I raised , said , " Madeline , can you take me to school tomorrow ? I want my classmates to see how pretty you are . " Madeline smiled , flattered , and gave him that fake motherly look she always put on when Finn was watching . But Finn frowned . " Why don't you let the driver take you ? Madeline's busy . " Henry's tone snapped sharp . " The driver never took me before ! That woman always insisted on driving me . No matter how 1/2 Chapter 8 +25 BONUS many times I told her I didn't want her to . " Finn looked confused . " That woman ? You mean your mom ? " Henry rolled his eyes . " I wish she wasn't my mom . You should see the moms at my school . They're graceful , classy . When she came , I felt like a joke . Like I didn't belong . " Finn slammed his fork down . " Don't you ever talk about your mom like that . " Madeline looked taken aback . Maybe a little jealous too , even if she tried to hide it . She cleared her throat . " It's okay , Finn . I'll take him tomorrow . " Henry grinned . " You're the best , Madeline ! I'll tell everyone you're my real mom . " And just like that , he ran upstairs , proud of himself , leaving Finn and Madeline in that awkward silence . I guess that was the moment Finn realized he had no idea how to control the monster he helped create . That night , Finn called me again . Curiosity got the better of me . I picked up . His voice was slow , slurred , and drunk . " Where are you ? " he muttered . " Don't make me ask twice . " I let out a laugh . " Wow . The big bad Mafia boss suddenly remembers me ? " " Cut the crap , Jillian , " he growled . " Just come back . Let's stop this stupid game and get things back to normal . " " Normal ? " I said , almost choking on the word . " Finn , what you called normal was killing me . " " Don't be dramatic . " " I'm serious . I'm not coming back . Not for you . Not for Henry . Not for anyone who didn't care until I disappeared . " " You think this is a joke ? " His voice got sharper . " You're my wife . You don't just walk away from this life . " " I already did " Then I hung up . Again . Twice in one day . That felt really good . I leaned back in my chair , looked around at my flower shop , my little safe haven , and smiled . The scent of fresh peonies and rain filled the room . I could still hear Cici's laughter echoing from earlier that day For the first time in years , I didn't feel like I owed anyone an explanation Not my father . Not my husband . Not even my own son , who treated me like I was nothing . And it turns out , freedom smells a lot like roses .