Even when David threw me out in a fit of rage, even when I stood outside in the freezing rain all night begging to be let in, they never opened the door.
Now, seeing my silence, David assumed I was tempted by their offer.
He acted like he was doing me a favor.
"Alright, it’s not like you’re that badly injured. Stop being so stubborn. Once you recover, I’ll take you to get wedding photos done."
After all these years, we had never taken a single picture together.
Even at gatherings, if someone accidentally captured us in the same frame, he would lose his temper and scold me for hours.
But now?
Now, I didn’t want his love. I didn’t want this family. I didn’t want any of it.
I spoke calmly.
"That won’t be necessary. I’m leaving next month."
The hospital room fell into a suffocating silence.
Then, as expected, the anger came out.
From my parents. From David.
"What kind of nonsense are you saying, Nadine?!"
David blamed me, "Tyler’s Olympiad competition is in a month! If you leave, who will take care of him? Who will teach him?"
"You’re his mother! How can you be so heartless, throwing away your child just to make a point?" My parents said.
Mother?
I turned to look at Tyler.
His eyes burned with hatred.