na's

, trembling with fury, but Luca ca

"You're such a wicked, heartless child. After everythi

ut ties with her completely. Let her fend for herself out there. Only

gave you everything I could. And now look at you-rebellious, bitter, ungrateful."

r a long time-though I have no idea where I'll go, whether I'll sleep under a bridge

ords." I walked over to my corner and reached for my luggage-just a small, worn bag holding five shirts, two

ve had enough of your hatred. Ever since Olivia cam

ried under years of silence and tears. I never h

g anywhere," Mrs

use

, "you will first go to the hos

. "Are you jokin

o and Luca like she needed confirmation she'd he

rude," she said,

aid calmly. "Not after the way this famil

"You'll go to that hospi

won

teful brat?" Theo snapped, his

idn't respond. Just stared at me with those empty

a I followed like a shadow. I was there when he secretly took a portion of the family's funds to start a small business he swore would succee

soup every single morning, the same one the doctor recommended until he was finally strong

as all bef

was the

eting second, something passed across his face. Guilt? Conflict? I couldn't tell. It

rever it is, it'll be better than the poultry sh

se to apologize, we'll withdraw

art s

wouldn't,"

too. Will you re

answer. Ju

his own. Even now, with his dementia and worsening diabetes, he lights up when he sees me-even if he forgets who I am moments later. He can barely walk. He

and sons don't even set foot in the west wing where he stays. All they want are

ut through my thoughts.

ing. I knew he meant it. If he sai

ttered. "I'l

rd the door. "Theo will

thought of sitting in a

," I said. "I'll

rly irritated. "It'll b

ack have I been allowed to ride in any of them. And now you suddenly want to offe

e twisted with rag

l luggage still in hand,

it's over, I'm leaving for good," I said, voice steady. "

ed out of that house-my so-calle