I picked up my travel bag and quietly opened the door. The hallway was silent since everyone else was still asleep.
When I got on the train, I sat by the window and watched the fields rush past. For the first time in a long while, my heart felt completely calm.
Three hours later, the train arrived at the station.
I turned on my phone and found dozens of missed calls and messages pop up. Some were from Daniel, some from Wanda and a few from relatives.
I ignored them all and dialed a friend instead. “Luke, I’m back. I’ll stop by this afternoon to finish the travel group paperwork, if it’s still possible to rejoin.”
My friend laughed on the other end. “I told you before, your kids have their own lives. Stop worrying so much. Come on back, everyone’s been waiting for you.”
When I stepped out of the station, the sunlight felt warm. I took a deep breath, feeling the weight in my chest finally lift.
Back in my hometown, the neighbors looked surprised to see me. “Damien, you’re back already? Weren’t you planning to stay with your son for a while?”
I smiled. “Home is still the most comfortable place to be.”
That afternoon, I went straight to the travel agency and signed up again. The staff said there was one last spot left for next week’s trip.
That night, I cooked two small dishes and opened a bottle of wine. At that moment, Daniel called.
I didn’t want to answer, but he kept calling again and again. The ringtone wouldn’t stop ringing, so I finally picked up.
“Dad, where are you?” he shouted, his voice full of anger and frustration.
I calmly replied, “I went home.”
He didn’t expect that. He went silent for a second, then suddenly raised his voice. “Home? Who told you to go home?”
“You promised yesterday you would stay! You’re not keeping your own words!”
In the background, I could hear Wanda’s sharp voice and Martha’s endless complaining. “How could your dad just leave without saying anything?”
“Yeah! Now I have to order takeout for everyone!”
“Do you know how much that costs? The factory’s losing money because of him!”
Their words were cold and full of accusations, their focus solely on the unexpected increase in expenses.
I almost laughed in disbelief. Even at this moment, that was all they cared about.
Daniel took a deep breath, trying to stay calm, but his tone still came out commanding. “Dad, I don’t care where you are right now. By tomorrow afternoon at the latest, you have to come back. The factory can’t run without your cooking.”
“I’m not coming back,” I said firmly. “Your mother-in-law can do the job. She seems to have more free time than I do.”
That sentence made him snap. His voice suddenly turned sharp and cruel. “You’re not coming back? Fine! Don’t come back then!”
“If you dare not come back, then I’ll just pretend that I have no father. We’re no longer family! When you’re old and dying, don’t expect anyone to take care of you or even show up at your funeral!”
