09
He looked at me with a wounded expression, calling out, “Mom, I haven’t eaten all day. My
stomach really hurts.”
But I stood there, unmoved.
“Mom, can you make me something to eat?”
I simply walked past him, pulling out my keys to unlock the door. “No, I can’t.”
40%
His surprise turned to confusion as he realized I wasn’t joking. “Mom, you used to care about, me the most! You can’t just ignore me!”
I couldn’t help but laugh, a bitter edge to my voice as I replied, “Why should I? What gives me any reason to care? Barry, I’m not your mom anymore. Your custody belongs to Gavin, and you were the one who insisted I leave your home.”
Panic flashed in Barry’s eyes as he scrambled to his feet, reaching for my arm. “Mom, even if you and Dad are divorced, we’re connected by the same blood.”
Yes, it was precisely because he was my biological son that I had cherished him for the past decade, pouring all my love into him. But the truth was clear now. He didn’t deserve it.
Barry’s gaze shifted to Mia, who was standing beside me, his confusion deepening. “What about her? Why does she get to stay here?”
I met his gaze with indifference, my voice steady. “You and Mia are not the same. Barry, I’ll say this one last time. You are no longer my son. We’re done, and I want you to stop interfering in my life.”
Each word was crystal clear, cutting through the air like a knife.
Tears filled Barry’s eyes; disbelief etched on his face as he absorbed my words, deeply wounded. Just then, Gavin appeared, pulling Barry into his arms. “Freya, why are you being so
heartless to us?”
I almost laughed at the absurdity of it. They had taken my love for granted, using it as à weapon against me, and now they had the audacity to question my motives. I slammed the door shut in response, the sound echoing through the hallway.
But they weren’t ready to give up. I could hear them knocking over and over again.
Suddenly, a clap of thunder echoed outside, and rain began to pour down, reminiscent of that day when I waited helplessly in the storm. I ignored them and drifted off to sleep, deep and
undisturbed.
13:06 Tue, 24 Dec M E
> The next day, the knocking grew louder, accompanied by Gavin’s desperate cries. “Freya,
Barry has a fever! He’s delirious! Can you please help us get to the hospital? I’m begging you, come out! Barry can’t hold on much longer!”
It was a rare weekend, and I was in the kitchen making breakfast for Mia. Gavin had countless ways to get Barry to the hospital without me; I felt no urge to respond.
Eventually, the commotion outside faded, and I realized Gavin had left.
A few hours later, my phone buzzed with a call from his assistant. Barry’s fever was relentless, and in his sleep, he kept calling for me. They wanted to know if I could come to the hospital.
Without a second thought, I refused.
For ten years, Gavin had never dealt with the nitty–gritty of family life; I had handled everything. So, with me gone, chaos erupted in their home.
Not long after, Gavin’s inability to manage the household led to him losing two major
contracts at work. The board decided to suspend him.
