Chapter 2 · I Am Done Being Your Family Slave

Everyone in the room shot me dirty looks, like I was the worst kind of villain.

Amy's trembling hands fumbled in her bag by the bed, but James quickly reached over and stopped her.

He said, "Mom, don't spoil her. If she dares to starve the kids, I won't let her get away with it."

Maggie gave me a shove and said, "Kate, quit the drama and just get in the kitchen to make dinner."

"Can't any of you use your own hands?" I shot back.

I stayed right where I was.

Henry's eyes went wide. He demanded, "Mom, what's that supposed to mean? You've always been the one to cook, haven't you?"

I got up, walked over to the door, and set the call bell down on the side.

I said, "Your dad can't cook, your aunt is just lazy, but Henry, you're 28, and Kate's 26. Are you two really that helpless? Do you expect me, a woman over fifty, to keep cooking, cleaning, and raising your kids every single day?

"Lucas is your kid, not mine. I'm not your live-in maid. Even a maid gets paid at least 3 thousand a month.

"I've poured years of my life into this family, and not once have I heard a single word of thanks. You all just take me for granted, clinging to me like a bunch of bloodsuckers.

"From now on, do whatever you want. I'm out."

I yanked the door open and walked out.

Before I'd even gone a few steps, Maggie's mocking voice rang out behind me. She sneered, "See? It's always about the money with her. Henry, your mom's all about the cash these days."

Henry called out, "Mom!"

James snapped, "Livia, the whole family relies on Henry and me to make money. You get to live easy at home. What more do you want? The moment I ask you to do something, you start complaining. If you keep this up, I'm done. We'll get divorced."

"Fine, let's get divorced," I shot back.

I didn't look back, just yelled, "Enjoy your 'good life' all by yourself."

Behind me, Amy started her usual act, crying and begging like she was the one being wronged.

Henry and Kate's whining blended right in, their complaints and her sobs all tangled together in a noisy mess.

With a loud bang, the door slammed shut behind me, cutting off all that annoying chatter.

Peace at last. The world was finally quiet.

I took a deep breath and stepped out, determined.

I went upstairs, stuffed a few clothes and some daily necessities into a suitcase, then carried it straight toward the front door.

Kate rushed over and stood in front of me, blocking my way.

She said, "Mom, why are you letting Dad and Henry get to you? They'll never understand what women go through. If you walk out now, where will you even go? It's freezing out there at night, and it's not safe."

She hesitated, then continued, "You've put up with all this for so many years already. Can't you just hang in there a bit longer? Do it for Lucas. He's still just a kid."

Seeing me look at her, she hurried to add, "I really am just thinking of you."

The way she looked at me, all desperate, made me laugh.

She wasn't worried about me at all. She was just scared that if I walked out, she'd be stuck doing all the housework for everyone.

I shook her hand off my suitcase handle and just smiled. I said, "Save your concern. I've got plenty of places I can go."

"Let her go!" James gritted out from behind, his voice rough and tense.

He scoffed, "Yeah, right. Where's she gonna go? No family, no friends, nowhere."

I didn't hesitate for a second.

Just now, my best friend's daughter booked me a ticket to Velmare.

Lucky me. Just as I walked out the door, there was a cab waiting right at the corner of the block.

I was always trying to save every penny for the family, stretching every cent till it screamed. If I could split a coin in half, I would.

Just a grocery run would eat up an hour of my day.

I couldn't even bring myself to spend on the subway or a cab; I just crammed onto those packed 50-cent buses, clutching my senior pass.

And what did I get in return?

I settled into the soft seat and let out a relieved sigh.

I patted my calves, finally feeling at ease inside.

At last, my poor, varicose legs could finally take a break.

"Where are you headed, lady?" the driver asked.

I shot the driver a grin and said, "Airport."

Chapter 2

Everyone in the room shot me dirty looks, like I was the worst kind of villain.

Amy's trembling hands fumbled in her bag by the bed, but James quickly reached over and stopped her.

He said, "Mom, don't spoil her. If she dares to starve the kids, I won't let her get away with it."

Maggie gave me a shove and said, "Kate, quit the drama and just get in the kitchen to make dinner."

"Can't any of you use your own hands?" I shot back.

I stayed right where I was.

Henry's eyes went wide. He demanded, "Mom, what's that supposed to mean? You've always been the one to cook, haven't you?"

I got up, walked over to the door, and set the call bell down on the side.

"Lucas is your kid, not mine. I'm not your live-in maid. Even a maid gets paid at least 3 thousand a month.

"I've poured years of my life into this family, and not once have I heard a single word of thanks. You all just take me for granted, clinging to me like a bunch of bloodsuckers.

"From now on, do whatever you want. I'm out."

I yanked the door open and walked out.

Before I'd even gone a few steps, Maggie's mocking voice rang out behind me. She sneered, "See? It's always about the money with her. Henry, your mom's all about the cash these days."

Henry called out, "Mom!"

"Fine, let's get divorced," I shot back.

I didn't look back, just yelled, "Enjoy your 'good life' all by yourself."

Behind me, Amy started her usual act, crying and begging like she was the one being wronged.

Henry and Kate's whining blended right in, their complaints and her sobs all tangled together in a noisy mess.

With a loud bang, the door slammed shut behind me, cutting off all that annoying chatter.

Peace at last. The world was finally quiet.

I took a deep breath and stepped out, determined.

I went upstairs, stuffed a few clothes and some daily necessities into a suitcase, then carried it straight toward the front door.

Kate rushed over and stood in front of me, blocking my way.

She hesitated, then continued, "You've put up with all this for so many years already. Can't you just hang in there a bit longer? Do it for Lucas. He's still just a kid."

Seeing me look at her, she hurried to add, "I really am just thinking of you."

The way she looked at me, all desperate, made me laugh.

She wasn't worried about me at all. She was just scared that if I walked out, she'd be stuck doing all the housework for everyone.

I shook her hand off my suitcase handle and just smiled. I said, "Save your concern. I've got plenty of places I can go."

"Let her go!" James gritted out from behind, his voice rough and tense.

He scoffed, "Yeah, right. Where's she gonna go? No family, no friends, nowhere."

I didn't hesitate for a second.

Just now, my best friend's daughter booked me a ticket to Velmare.

Lucky me. Just as I walked out the door, there was a cab waiting right at the corner of the block.

I was always trying to save every penny for the family, stretching every cent till it screamed. If I could split a coin in half, I would.

Just a grocery run would eat up an hour of my day.

I couldn't even bring myself to spend on the subway or a cab; I just crammed onto those packed 50-cent buses, clutching my senior pass.

And what did I get in return?

I settled into the soft seat and let out a relieved sigh.

I patted my calves, finally feeling at ease inside.

At last, my poor, varicose legs could finally take a break.

"Where are you headed, lady?" the driver asked.

I shot the driver a grin and said, "Airport."