“It’s been years, and I know you hate Dad, but he’s still my father.”
“For your sake, I hardly see him. Isn’t that enough?”
“You’re too old to hold onto grudges, Mom. Even if you can’t move on, don’t drag me into it.”
“All these years, have I missed a single one of your birthdays?”
“Vivienne shares your birthday, and she might not say it out loud, but she’s wanted a family dinner for years. I figured we live together, so what’s the harm? We could celebrate her tonight and you tomorrow.”
“Mom, we’re tired. Jazz and I work so hard, and being around Dad is a relief sometimes. Could you think about me for once?”
My heart, already chilled, grew even colder.
“Are you saying I’m keeping you from being close with your father?”
I looked at Scarlett. She resembled me more than Harrison.
When we divorced, Harrison poured all his affection on Vivienne’s kids, especially her daughter, Sabrina.
The first time I saw her, she was just six years old, but she was the spitting image of Vivienne.
Harrison adored her.
Scarlett had cried back then, clinging to me, asking, “Why doesn’t Daddy want me? Why does he want to be their dad instead? Doesn’t he love
me?”
My heart had broken for her.
The child I had carried and raised, abandoned by her own father.
And now, it was all a joke.
Scarlett didn’t seem to hear the change in my tone. She tried to coax me as she always had.
“Mom, I didn’t mean it that way. But you know Dad’s older now. And I’m his daughter. Holding onto so much bitterness for years just doesn’t make sense anymore, does it?”
“And Vivienne…Mom Vivi is really nice. She didn’t mean to hurt you back then; she was just worried about Kel and Sabi losing their dad. She’s apologized and even bought me gifts. She treats me like her own daughter. Why hang onto old grievances?”
Hearing Scarlett’s words was almost laughable.
The father who had turned his back on her had once left her crying, night after night, in my arms, asking why he didn’t want her.
And Vivienne, the woman who had destroyed my family, could buy Scarlett’s forgiveness with a gift?
I pulled my hand away.
“So, Scarlett, you think I’m the one being unreasonable for not forgiving Harrison and Vivienne?”
She nodded, without hesitation, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“Of course! I barely remember the bad stuff from when I was little. When I think of Dad, all I see are good memories, and I just want us to be a family. Mom Vivi is a great person. Maybe you two could even be friends…Ow!”
Before she could finish, I slapped her across the face.
Scarlett gasped, shot up from the couch, clutching her cheek, and shouted, “Why would you do that? No wonder Dad preferred someone as calm and graceful as Mom Vivi!”
She stormed into her room, sobbing, with Jazz and Delilah following behind to comfort her.
9.34 PM
The door stayed open just enough that I could hear their whispers.
“Old people lose their wits so easily,” “She’s bitter over a little thing for decades,” “Such a cranky old woman,” “She’s so annoying.”
So much bitterness. Words from the daughter I had loved with all my heart.
In that moment, something inside me broke.
I went to my room, packed my bags, and left the neighborhood group chat on my phone.
Scarlett and Jazz had worked for years, but the mortgage here was crushing, and they still had so much to pay off.
I’d felt sorry for them, helping out with my pension, covering their house payments, utility bills, groceries, even Delilah’s lessons.
But now that I’d made my decision to leave, they wouldn’t be getting another cent from me.
Whether they could manage without my support was no longer my concern.
Besides, I had another property I’d kept secret, even from Scarlett.
I’d planned to leave it to her, fearing Jazz might turn out like Harrison, and I’d wanted to ensure Scarlett had a safety net.
But now I saw no need for that.
In fact, I’d use it as my retirement home.
And with my steady pension, I’d be perfectly fine on my own.
As I left, Scarlett’s sobs continued, and the small cake still sat on the table.
Everything felt so pathetic.
So I dragged my suitcase to the door and left without a backward glance.
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By the time I settled in, it was already three in the morning.
I took a long shower and crawled into bed. Checking my phone, I saw no missed calls, no texts–nothing.
After all, I’d raised Scarlett for over twenty years. It stung a little, but maybe that pain was a blessing. It made it easier not to turn back.
I canceled my usual morning alarm, turned off the light, and tried to let go of all the thoughts crowding my mind.
That night, I didn’t sleep well. My dreams kept dragging me back to memories with Scarlett, to when Harrison had demanded a divorce.
Back then, although I’d taken half his assets, Scarlett was still so young. She’d been traumatized, even unable to go to school for a while.
I’d had no choice but to quit my job to stay with her day and night. She’d have nightmares, waking up crying, calling for both her parents to stay.
I’d hold her, singing lullabies until she could sleep, spending countless nights beside her, my back aching and my arms numb.
Back then, she’d grab my hand, her little voice offering to massage my arms, saying, “Mom, I’ll make it better, so you won’t hurt.”
She was so sweet.
I let out a long breath and checked the time. Even with my alarm off, my body’s clock woke me up as usual.
<
Normally, I’d start in the kitchen making breakfast, then get Delilah up. She’s young and always takes her time waking up. I’d coo and coax her, help her wash up, do her little pigtails, and feed her breakfast.
After that, I’d take her to Maplewood Academy.
By the time I got home, Scarlett and Jazz would have already eaten and headed to work. I’d wash the dishes, clean up, and handle the household chores for the rest of the day.
My life had always revolved around this family. I barely had time to think about myself.
But now things were different.
After making breakfast just for myself, I went downstairs to Green Willow Estates for a morning walk. I felt free and at ease.
I hadn’t even returned home before Scarlett’s calls began. The first one went unanswered. Then a second, a third… By the fifth, I accidentally
answered.
I didn’t put her on speaker, but her voice was loud enough to hear without it.
“Mom, where have you been all night? You’re not young anymore! What are you doing running off? Delilah’s going to be late, there’s no breakfast–do you expect us to go to work hungry? I have an important meeting today; I can’t be delayed by this!”
Her tone was accusatory, as if I was obligated to serve them.
I stayed silent, but Scarlett kept going.
“All I asked you to do was help with Delilah, make some meals, keep the place tidy. You’re at home enjoying a comfortable life while Jazz and I are breaking our backs to make it work! And now you’re pulling this disappearing act?”
Comfortable… I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. This was my daughter.
I’d given my life to her.
And yet, she had never once seen my efforts, believing everything I did was my duty.
Yesterday, I might have felt hurt, might have clung to our bond out of habit. But now? I felt nothing but disappointment.
“Scarlett,” I said, “I pay for this house and all the bills each month. I’ve given everything to keep this family running, but if you call that ‘comfort, then maybe it’s time you handled it all on your own. If you think I’m not a mother worth having, then maybe we should end this mother–daughter relationship.”
With that, I hung up.
Of course, the conversation left me rattled, so I changed and headed to Silver Lake Mall for some retail therapy.
For years, I’d barely spent anything on myself, always saving for Scarlett and her family. I had enough savings and pension to live comfortably now, so why not buy myself some nice clothes and pretty accessories?
