Chapter 2
David finished his call and walked into the bedroom, only to be greeted by this scene.
He froze.
"Flora, what are you doing?" David asked.
I zipped up my suitcase with a crisp click.
I stood up, brushed my hands together, and flashed him a bright smile.
"Honey, I've got some great news for you," I said.
David looked completely lost.
"What great news?" he asked.
"My company is opening a branch in another city, and I'm the project lead," I said.
I pointed at my suitcase. "The head office decided to send me over to oversee everything and be in charge of all the operations."
David's brows furrowed.
"Another city? How long will you be gone?" he asked.
I held up two fingers.
"Two years," I said.
"That's how long the project will last," I added.
"I'm leaving tonight. My flight's already booked."
David was completely stunned.
The color drained from his face, and his lips trembled.
"A-are you kidding me?" he stammered. "A-anna had an accident, and the family's in this mess. How can you leave?
"Are you really going to dump all this on me?"
David couldn't help but raise his voice, sounding accusatory.
The smile on my face slowly faded.
I looked at him, enunciating every word clearly.
"David, did you forget what you said yesterday?"
He froze.
I reminded him.
"You said you'd handle everything for Anna, from meals to all her daily needs," I reminded him. "You even promised me I wouldn't have to lift a finger.
I picked up my suitcase and headed for the door. "Looks like I'm helping you stick to your word, right? Wasn't it you who said you'd handle everything?
"Great, now you and Anna have all the space you need."
I opened the door and walked out without looking back.
Behind me, David shouted, his voice full of disbelief and anger. "Flora, stop right there. Are you out of your mind?"
I was not crazy.
I was more clear-headed than ever.
Right before I closed the door, I heard his phone ring.
I guessed it was the hospital calling.
They were probably telling him Anna was ready to be discharged and asking him to come get her.
Behind me, David was shouting in a total meltdown.
And I could hear Anna's choked sobs as she was about to be brought home.
How wonderful.
Such a loving brother and sister—now they could always be together.
With my suitcase in tow, I hurried out.
The sharp click of my heels echoed with every step.
It felt like a battle anthem, marking my farewell to the past and my charge toward a brand new life.
A couple of neighbors spotted me and smiled, waving hello.
"Flora, off on a work trip?"
I nodded with a friendly smile.
"That's right, I'll be working away for two years," I replied.
From the place I had called home for five years, I could hear muffled shouts and the crash of things being broken echoing from the building behind me.
I didn't look back.
My phone started buzzing like crazy.
The screen kept flashing David's name.
I pulled out my phone and glanced at it.
With a quick swipe of my finger, I hung up.
Then I blocked him.
It all happened in one seamless motion, like it was second nature.
Just as I slid into my rideshare, another call popped up from an unknown number.
I knew who it was.
It was David's mother, Mary Brooks.
I paused for a moment, then answered the call.
There were things I needed to say out loud.
As soon as I picked up, Mary's sharp, biting voice cut right through the line. "Flora, you ungrateful wretch! You heartless thing.
"Anna's in this state, and instead of comforting David, you leave him to deal with this mess all by himself and bail?
"What did the Brooks family ever do to deserve a jinx like you?"
I pulled the phone away from my ear.
Once she finally tired herself out and was catching her breath, I put the phone back to my ear.
I spoke in a cool, flat voice. "Mary, are you done ranting?"
There was a brief pause on the other end.
She probably didn't expect me to respond so calmly.
I said, "First, Anna's accident wasn't my fault, and I'm not obligated to take care of her for the rest of her life.
"Second, David promised at the hospital he'd handle all of Anna's needs, from meals to everything else, and that I wouldn't have to worry about a thing. I'm giving him the space to show what a devoted brother he is.
"Third, I paid for half of that house and cover half the mortgage every month. Leaving is my right, and none of you has any say in it.
"As for the divorce," I paused, "once I'm settled, my lawyer will reach out to David."
Mary was so angry she couldn't even get the words out.
"You... You..." she sputtered.
I didn't give her another chance to keep berating me.
"Well then, may your family live happily ever after," I said.
With that, I hung up.
With a quick tap, I blocked her number, too.
In an instant, the world was finally peaceful.
Outside the car window, the city flashed by in a blur.
I leaned back in my seat and finally let out a long, deep breath.
Five years of marriage felt like a set of heavy shackles weighing me down.
Today, I broke free with my own hands.
There was no sadness, no regrets, just a sense of freedom and relief I had never experienced before.