Chapter 5
The next morning, sunlight spilled into my window like nothing had happened. But my body ached with every breath-a reminder that not everyone gets to wake up whole. Today was the day I’d leave. For good.
A text from my stepfather came just after 7 a.m.
“Everything is ready. Driver’s waiting. I’ll see you soon.
–
Dad”
I stared at the message for a long second, heart pounding. It didn’t feel real yet. Downstairs, the house was buzzing. Voices. Music. Laughter. Today was also my real father’s birthday-Gregory. The man who gave me his blood, but not once his heart. The man who raised Jasmine like a princess and treated me like dust. Everyone was preparing for the big party as it nothing had happened to me. No black eyes. No fractured ribs. No blood on their hands. Just balloons, expensive wine, and fake smiles.
They had moved on. I was invisible again.
Then came the knock on my door.
Jasmine.
She stepped in with her fake concerned expression, holding a dress hanger. “I brough something for you to wear,” she said, too brightly. “Are you sure you’re okay? You look… tired.”
stared blankly. “I’m not going.”
Oh, don’t be dramatic,” she said with a forced laugh. “It’s Dad’s birthday.”
Before I could respond, Kevin appeared behind her, annoyed as usual. “Why are you always late’ And slow?” he snapped. “Just don’t be around me at the party. No one knows we’re married, and I’m arriving with Jasmine. Got it? You just help out in the back. Serve drinks or something.”
Also,” my father added from the hallway, “don’t even talk to the investors. After what you di vith that investment mess, don’t you dare ruin anything else. I’m warning you.”
nodded slowly. “Then I’ll come late. Go ahead without me.”
lasmine beamed, leaning into Kevin’s arm. “Oh, that’s great. We’ll head first then.”
And just like that-they left me behind. Again.
As the front door slammed shut, something inside me snapped. I went to my closet and started ulling everything down. Clothes, books, framed photos. I packed only what mattered. Burned he rest in the sink. I wasn’t leaving pieces of myself behind for them to mock.
dropped my wedding ring into an envelope. Added the signed divorce papers. Printed photos. Screenshots of their affair. Even the scandal I’d discovered-Kevin and Jasmine making shady ransactions using Gregory’s name. I labeled everything carefully.
Then, I called the party venue.
‘Hello, I’d like to cancel the food for the event.”
‘Ma’am?” the voice replied, confused. “The party’s today. Everything’s scheduled-food, drinks,
staff-”
‘I know,” I said, my voice cool. “And I said cancel the food. Cancel the staff. Let them starve.”
There was a pause on the other end.
“I also want a brown envelope delivered to my father-exactly at 4 p.m. No delays.”
I didn’t need to explain. They knew me. I had always been the one handling everything-every party, every detail. I’d organized his birthdays for years. Flawlessly. Elegantly. Gregory used to say I was the only one who could pull it off right.
But this year, I’d ruin it-just like they’d ruined me.
Let them scramble. Let them face the guests with empty plates and no music. Let them answer the investors’ questions with shame and confusion.
I hung up and walked out. My bags were already by the door. A sleek black limousine waited at the curb, just as my stepfather promised.
didn’t look back.
At the airport, I handed my ticket and passport. Boarding time was thirty minutes away. That’s when the calls started.
First Gregory. “Where are you? What the hell happened to the party?”
Then Kevin. “Where’s the food? What did you do?! Get back here!”
Jasmine. “Are you serious right now?! You ruined Dad’s birthday! You’ll pay for this! I swear you’l get hurt again.”
opened our group chat-Kevin, Jasmine, and my father-and typed slowly, clearly, as my fingers rembled.
Don’t worry. You’ll never hurt me again. This is the last time you’ll hear from me. Enjoy the party sent you a gift-all three of you. Goodbye.”
stared at the message one last time before hitting send.
imagined the chaos after my father received the divorce papers, wedding link, the scam papers chat Jasmine had done, and then their scandal being played. Perfect.
Before they could reply, I pulled out the SIM card from my phone, snapped it in half, and dropped t in the trash bin by the boarding gate.
