In an instant, it felt like a dull knife was sawing back and forth across my heart. The tearing pain stripped away all my rationality.
Since they were the ones who were heartless first—
Then I didn't need to keep up appearances either.
I picked up my sleeping son and went downstairs.
I took a cab straight to Vivian's apartment complex.
The place she lived in was something I'd only found after we broke up—after begging this person and that person, pulling strings and bothering a whole circle of people.
All because my parents thought the cheap places had a bad environment.
And the expensive places Vivian didn't want to pay for.
Everything I'd once given to this family now felt like a slap across my face.
Burning hot. The sting went straight to my heart.
Just as I entered the complex gate, I ran straight into three people coming out, holding a child.
Vivian put on her usual act, pushing back:
"Mom, you really don't need to come all this way—it's too hard on you. My place is small, not as comfortable as that apartment my sister gave you. Seeing you squeeze onto the couch every day, it really breaks my heart…"
Mom—who's always had sky-high standards for quality of life—waved her hands dismissively.