Chapter 6
I truly deserved a life that was so much better than this.
I pulled out my phone and sent a text to Grover.
It was simple.
Emily: [Dad, wishing you good health.]
I didn't expect a reply.
This was my way of making peace with the past, a final goodbye to those ten years.
After sending the text, I set my phone aside.
I set my phone aside.
Then I put on some music.
I played an upbeat song and picked up a glass of red wine.
I stepped out onto the balcony.
The night breeze drifted by, cool and gentle.
The city's hustle and bustle turned into a soft background hum in my ears.
My heart never felt so peaceful and free.
I raised my glass for me and my new life.
But the peace didn't last long.
By noon on the fourth day, things changed.
A call came in from a number I'd never seen before.
The caller ID just said "Private Number."
My gut told me maybe Grover was finally stepping in himself.
I took a deep breath.
Then I answered the call.
On the other end of the line, there was a brief silence.
Then, an old, raspy voice came through.
"Emily… is that you?"
It was Dad's voice.
He sounded much calmer than I'd expected, almost peaceful.
There was no yelling or accusations. His voice was not only calm but also tinged with exhaustion.
But my heart didn't soften, not even for a second.
I answered with a nonchalant "Mm-hmm."
"Dad, what do you want?" My voice stayed cool and detached.
I kept my usual distance in my tone.
On the other end of the line, Judy went quiet again.
After a moment, he finally broke the silence.
"So… why haven't you sent any money home this month?"
His voice sounded cautious, like he was trying to figure out where my boundaries were.
I clenched my phone in my hand, gripping it so hard my fingertips started to pale.
"Dad," I said, her voice steady and firm.
"Didn't you always say...
"That sons are the ones who should look after their parents when they get old?
"I'm just the daughter you threw out, like water spilled and gone for good.
"So you don't need your daughter to worry about you anymore, right?"
On the other end of the line, there was a long silence.
I could even make out Dad's heavy, labored breathing on the other end.
After what felt like forever, he finally spoke, his voice low and thick with disbelief and anger.
"What... what do you mean by that?
"Are you seriously giving your mom and dad the silent treatment?
"Look, the family's in real trouble right now.
"Your brother…"
He started to say something, but I cut him off.
"Dad, isn't Jason the son you always count on?
"Now's the time for him to step up.
"I'm not sulking.
"I've finally wised up.
"I've been sending you money for ten years now.
"In your eyes, none of that matters as much as him just saying a few words.
"So from now on, I won't be sending any more money.
"Rest easy.
"Just wait for your dependable son to step up and take care of you.
"He can look after you in your old age and see you off when the time comes."
After I finished speaking, the other end of the line went totally silent.
Even through the phone, I could feel an icy rage, cold and sharp, unlike anything I'd ever sensed from him before, simmering on his end.
But honestly, none of that mattered to me anymore.
I didn't wait for him to respond.
I hung up without hesitation.
My hand was still shaking a bit.
But I was still calm inside.
I finally did it. I said those words to him, the father I once loved more than anyone.
I put my phone aside.
I felt a rush of relief.
It was like a huge weight had finally been lifted off my shoulders.
That afternoon, I worked as usual. I stayed focused, but every now and then, my thoughts would wander back to my hometown.
I could almost picture Grover was probably blowing up, raging in the house.
He'd definitely gather the whole family.
He'd launch a fresh round of public shaming against me.
He'd accuse me of being unfilial and cold-hearted.
But he never thought all those accusations would be powerless against me long ago.
I stepped out of the office.
Night had already fallen.
The neon lights lining the street lit up in every color.
They dazzled, splashing the night with color.
My phone rang again.
This time, it was Jason.
He seemed to already know about my conversation with Grover.
On the line, Jason's voice was filled with anger, but there was a trace of panic I'd never heard from him before.
"Emily! You've gone way too far.
"How could you talk to Dad like that?
"Do you have any idea how pissed he is right now?"