Chapter 1: The Line That Could Never Be Crossed Again
Chapter 1: The Line That Could Never Be Crossed Again
I looked at my mother.
Then at my sister.
Finally, I spoke.
"If my wife has been doing everything alone while the two of you sat here waiting to be served... then neither of you is welcome in this house ever again."
The silence was deafening.
My mother's smile disappeared.
"What?" she whispered.
"You heard me."
My sister pulled one earbud out.
"Seriously? You're kicking us out because Emily couldn't handle one busy day?"
I slowly turned toward her.
"One day?"
I looked back at Emily, who still clung to me while trying to catch her breath.
"How many days has this been?"
Emily hesitated.
"I... I didn't want to bother you while you were traveling."
I gently brushed the hair away from her face.
"Tell me."
She swallowed.
"Four days."
My stomach dropped.
"Leo got sick the morning after you left. I barely slept. I asked your mom if she could watch him while I went to the pharmacy."
She paused.
"She said I should order delivery because she didn't want to interrupt her television show."
I stared at my mother.
She didn't deny it.
Emily continued quietly.
"I asked your sister if she could help fold the laundry."
My sister shrugged.
"I told her I was busy."
"Busy?" I repeated.
She held up her phone.
"I had plans with my friends."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
Then Emily added something that shattered whatever patience I had left.
"They've been asking me to cook three meals a day."
My mother crossed her arms.
"Well, we were guests."
"No," I answered.
"Guests help when someone is drowning."
I walked to the front door and opened it.
"You have ten minutes."
Mother's eyes widened.
"You wouldn't throw your own family out."
I looked directly at her.
"The family I chose is standing beside me."
I tightened my arm around Emily.
"My responsibility begins with my wife and my son."
Neither woman said another word.
For the first time in my life...
My mother realized she no longer controlled me.
Ten minutes later, the front door closed behind them.
The house became quiet.
May you like
Not empty.
Peaceful.
