They Cut Down My Tree for Her Box, I Cut Myself Out of Their Family Chapter 08

They Cut Down My Tree for Her Box, I Cut Myself Out of Their Family Chapter 08

Dad: [I made new chests. Pick them up when you come back.]

He never said much. Whenever something happened, he delivered the final verdict-like a judge. I was always on the losing side.

This was him trying to make amends. I understood that. But I didn’t want it.

I stopped reading the messages. I didn’t block them, either. I hadn’t figured out how to face them yet.

The day I got my job offer was my birthday.

My mother-in-law ordered a big cake: “Birthday Princess Willa, forever 18.”

She cooked another feast. I tried to help several times-she kept pushing me out. “You’re the star today. You don’t have to do anything.”

I sat on the couch, dazed. Back home, when it was both our birthdays, only my sister’s name was on the cake. She’d cried as a child, saying she didn’t want my name on it. Everyone just went along.

After I made a wish, I asked Joy to blow out the candles with me. She shook her head, serious for once. “No, Willa. Your birthday wish only works if you blow them out yourself. Just give me a big slice later.”

Everyone laughed. I ate several slices. I’d had cake before-but this one tasted especially sweet.

About two weeks later, I was already working. One day, as I was leaving the office, I saw Zane at the

gate.

When he spotted me, his eyes lit up. The security guard warned me, “He’s been here all afternoon. Watch yourself.”

I smiled and thanked him. Zane stepped forward, his suitcase wheels rattling, then stopped.

“Willa, I’ve been looking everywhere. How could you run off this far? Nora gets talked about every day. Mom’s worried sick-can’t eat, can’t sleep. Dad’s smoking more. Even if you’re angry, you can’t just disappear!”

He spoke fast, urgent. I sighed and cut him off.

“Zane, did you come here just to lecture me?”

He stopped, looking lost.

“Don’t you want to ask how I’m doing?”

He said nothing, at a loss.

“I… See? I’ve been gone this long, and all you care about is Mom, Dad, Nora. If you were me, wouldn’t you leave?”

His face turned white.

After a long pause, he said, “We worry about you too…”

“But you worry more about her, don’t you? I left because I want to live my own life. Not just to be her backdrop forever.”

He muttered, “I’m sorry.”

I smiled, but it was thin. “You just like her more. That’s fine. But I’m not wrong either.”

His voice dropped further. “Mom and Dad really regret it.”

My expression didn’t change. “I don’t. Zane, you should go home. I’m happy here.”

When he left, his shoulders were hunched, like a beaten dog.