Chapter 5
I remembered that Samson used to curl up in my arms when he was little, begging for affection.
It was just like Alice holding June at that moment.
I once held Samson close to my chest.
He was about seven years old then, already getting heavy for me, but I still clung to him, not wanting that moment to end.
He looked up at me, his eyes full of determination. "Mom, I'll always be here for you. I won't let anyone hurt you."
Those were the good old days.
Even the breeze seemed gentle and sweet back then.
But now, Samson just looked at me and said, "Why are you even upset about?"
My eyes started to fill with tears, and my voice caught in my throat.
"Samson, you promised me once, remember? How could you forget your own words?" I whispered.
He didn't get what I was saying. He just grabbed my hand, trying to drag me over to apologize to Addison.
I pulled away from him, grabbed my suitcase, and turned to go upstairs.
He thought I was finally giving in and let out a sigh of relief. "That's more like it. Come on, we're family. What trouble can't we get past together?"
I walked faster, my steps growing more urgent with every stride.
His voice faded away behind me as I left him far behind.
Soft dance music played in the living room.
Valda was wearing the old dance dress I'd stashed away in the back of my closet.
Addison bought it for me with his first paycheck, back when I was eighteen.
But dancing was never my thing.
Even when I gave it my all, I just looked hopeless.
Addison watched me once, and the disappointment in his eyes stung more than any misstep I could make.
After that, I gave up for good.
But I guarded that dress in the deepest part of my closet, treating it like the last piece of my broken dreams.
I kept telling myself that someday, when the chaos settled down, I'd finally learn how to dance.
But that wish kept me waiting. Forty years drifted by in the blink of an eye.
It wasn't until now that I truly understood who this dress was meant for.
Valda spun across the floor, as light and lively as a bird taking flight.
In Addison's hands, she spread her wings and soared.
Addison watched her, matching her every move with perfect devotion.
It was as if forty years had never come between them. They were still those shy young lovers beneath the tree, innocent and full of hope.
I pushed open the door and walked in.
The music kept drifting through the room. Addison didn't even pause.
It was as if I was nothing but a shadow to him.
He just let me wheel my suitcase inside.
Then, I pulled it out again, turning away without a word.
The suitcase had been packed with Addison's asthma meds, his clothes, June's favorite toys, and even Samson's razor.
Samson would always forget to bring his razor.
I took everything out.
It was like I was peeling each of them away from my very soul, piece by piece.
In the end, all that remained was an empty suitcase.
I stared at that emptiness, stunned. After a lifetime, they were the only thing I ever truly had.
I walked away from the place that had trapped me for forty years.
There was a faint pang in my heart.
However, I also felt a sense of relief washing over me. It was as if, after all this time, I was finally free.
Addison poked his head out from the balcony.
At the same time, my phone started ringing.
He sighed deeply. "Kyla, what's all this fuss about now?"
I just stayed silent. Honestly, I had no idea what to say.
He was about to keep talking when, from the other end of the line, Valda suddenly yelped.
It sounded like she'd fallen.
"Valda, are you okay?" Addison shouted.
I lowered my voice and said, "Addison, this is where we should part ways."
On his end, all hell broke loose.
I felt that he never even heard me at all.
I hung up with calm resolve and ordered myself a cab.
The cab pulled up at my old friend's place.
She stared in surprise for a moment, then hurried over and dragged me inside.
"What happened? Did you and your husband get into a fight?" she asked.
But then she quickly added, "No way, you and Addison never even argued in all these years."
I chuckled lightly. "May, I'm getting a divorce."
The next day, I got the divorce papers.
May Massy asked in a careful tone, "Honestly, why go through all this? We're not getting any younger. We might just kick the bucket any time. Besides, it's not like Valda's got much time left anyway."