3: 3
3
Called out in front of everyone, Kirsten couldn't keep the smile on her face. She let out a scornful little snort.
"What is wrong with you? Can't you tell when someone's trying to help you?"
"Everything I've said, I've said for your own good."
"Look at your age. Throwing a tantrum like some little girl?"
I smiled.
"Then keep all that good for yourself."
"You—"
Kirsten choked, pointing at me, unable to get out another word.
Tracey's face went a livid green.
"Listen, old woman. I'll ask you one last time. Are you signing this or not?"
"And I'll tell you one last time. I'm not signing."
My voice was firmer than it had ever been.
Tracey laughed, one cold laugh after another.
"Good. Good, good, very good."
"Ivan, you heard her. Your own mother said it herself. So don't blame me for what comes next."
Ivan's brow knotted tight.
"Mom, does it have to be like this? What good does it do you, dragging this out and making everyone look bad?"
When I said nothing, something vicious flickered in his eyes.
"Fine. You won't sign?"
"You won't sign, then don't blame me for not treating you like my mother anymore!"
And then Ivan actually reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a disownment letter.
Looking at those three words, disownment letter, I felt my pupils tighten, twice, hard.
I hadn't expected it.
Ivan and Tracey had come this prepared. They'd even had the disownment letter ready in advance.
So it turned out that in the face of selfishness, a mother's love wasn't worth a thing.
For a woman he'd known less than two years, my son was ready, without a moment's hesitation, to throw away the mother who had raised him for twenty.
Looking at my face, drained nearly white of any color, a flicker of reluctance passed through his eyes.
"Mom, you forced this on me. You've only got yourself to blame for not knowing when to bend."
"We gave you chance after chance. You're the one who didn't value them."
"Sign it, and after this you don't have a son in me, and I won't care whether you live or die!"
Disappointment swept over me all at once, like a rising tide.
The last thread of warmth I felt for Ivan turned to ash.
When I lifted my head again, my eyes were cold as ice.
"Fine. Have it your way."
I picked up the pen and signed my name, pressing hard.
I handed the signed disownment letter back to Ivan, straightened my spine, and turned around.
I didn't spare them another glance. Step by step, I walked toward the door.
The whole room went dead silent.
Everyone was stunned by what I'd just done.
Ivan most of all.
He never seemed to imagine I would agree so cleanly.
He'd always believed he could use family to keep me in line.
After all, I only had this one son.
All my life, for the sake of so-called family, I'd given in more than once.
But this time, he was bound to be disappointed.
"Ivan, your mother's really leaving!"
As I got closer and closer to the door, someone in the crowd called out.
But Ivan only snorted, not the least bit concerned.
"Let her leave! Who's she trying to scare?"
"Without me for a son, she won't have a place to land. Just watch. In three days she'll come back and beg me on her own."
