“No. You showed them who you were. I believed them when they were hurt.”
He leaned closer to the narrow gap in the door. “Family forgives.”
“Family feeds children.”
His expression shifted. For one second, anger slipped and something like shame appeared. But it disappeared quickly.
“You think you’re better than us now?”
“No,” I said. “I think my kids deserve better than what I accepted.”
Behind me, Noah stepped out of his room. He froze when he saw my father.
Grandpa Richard smiled too fast. “Hey, buddy.”
Noah moved behind me.
That tiny movement said more than any argument ever could.
My father saw it. His mouth opened, but nothing came out.
I said, “Leave.”
He stared at me.
Then he turned and walked down the hallway without another word.
