Broken Family After Betrayal Chapter 09By Novel7s / May 30, 2026 Broken Family After Betrayal Chapter 09When Dad appeared, Mom was calm. She didn’t seem surprised that he’d stopped us. “Delaney… you’re alive!” “You’re alive! Thank God you’re alive!” Mom shook off his grabbing hand and pulled me a step back. “I’m not dead. Disappointed?” Dad shook his head violently, panic rising in his voice. “No! That’s not it!” “I missed you. I really did. I regret everything!” Mom laughed coldly. “I leave, and you get to be with your precious Cassie. Isn’t that nice?” “Her child can call you Dad. You two can have a perfect little family.” With every word, Dad went paler and paler, shaking desperately. “Stop it! Please… stop!” “I’ve cut ties with Cassie! We’re not in contact anymore!” “The baby isn’t mine either. It’s another man’s. She just wanted me to raise it for her!” Dad rushed forward, his voice desperate and sincere. “Delaney, I really know I was wrong. Let’s stop this, okay?” “Even for Olivia’s sake… give me one more chance.” I looked at Mom, then at Dad. Finally, I stepped slightly behind Mom. “I’m staying with Mom. Wherever she is, I’m there.” The hope in Dad’s eyes shattered instantly, replaced by unbearable despair. He took a few trembling steps toward us, but the disgust on Mom’s face stopped him cold. “Jonathan, you never saw anything I did for you.” “I gave you my spot at the plant. My father pulled strings for you. That’s how you made Engineer so young.” “I don’t deny that I did it willingly. I repaid the debt from when you once saved me.” “But even a heart can die. A life only happens once. I’m tired.” Dad’s shoulders curled inward, trembling. His back wasn’t straight anymore–it was bent, like a frostbitten stalk. His steps were no longer steady either. He staggered as if he might collapse at any moment. I peeked at him and suddenly gasped. “Oh no… he’s crying.” His sobs broke through–raw, strangled, like he couldn’t breathe. Tears fell in heavy drops onto the ground, forming dark wet spots. Mom stood silently across from him, unmoving. After a moment, she picked me up. “I’m just taking back what’s mine. From now on, we’re strangers.” Dad’s hand hung in the air, frozen. His eyes were red, his mouth opening and closing, but no words came out. Mom didn’t look back. She carried me home. I thought that was the last time I would ever see Dad. But the next day, there he was–by the candy apple stand. He’d cleaned himself up a bit. Looked more put together than before. His hands were hidden under long sleeves, so nothing seemed unusual at first glance. When he saw me, his eyes lit up instantly. He bent down carefully and asked, “Olivia, do you want Daddy to give you a shoulder ride?” I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay alert. No, this is a trap. “I don’t want to. Grandpa will play with me. And Mom said- we’re not supposed to see you anymore.” Dad’s smile stiffened, slowly turning awkward. He straightened up reluctantly, his eyes full of reluctance. “Your birthday’s coming. I can go–but first, I wanted to give you this.” He pressed a small, beautifully wrapped box into my palm. I stared at it, hesitating. Then I decided to do what Mom would want–return it. But when I looked up again, Dad was gone. I ran two streets trying to find him, but I couldn’t. When I got home, I told Mom everything and handed her the gift. She combed my hair gently and kissed my head. “From now on, you have Mom, Grandpa, and Grandma. We can give you anything you want.” Then she looked at me with a little worry. “But without your dad, other kids might look down on you… or bully you. Will you feel sad?” I opened the box, not even looking up. “No. I have so many people who love me. Why would I be sad?” Inside was a little figurine–and a ring. The ring was new. I’d never seen it before. Mom picked it up, examined it briefly, then put it back. “Must’ve put it in the wrong box. I’ll have someone return it.” “Alright–time for our picnic.” I beamed, took her hand, and we walked out together.
