He chuckled and even if I couldn’t see it, I knew he was smirking when he said, “I’ve been waiting for this day, so what do you say about marrying me?”
I paused. My mouth parted, ready to say no. To tell him this wasn’t the time, that I wasn’t the woman he remembered. But then, something inside me stopped.
Why not? What else did I have left?
I hadn’t even decided where to go after I walked out of this house. There was no plan, no destination—just pain and shame. So maybe this… maybe this was better than disappearing into nothingness.
I leaned back against the wall, clutching the edge of the dresser to steady my breath. And then I smiled.
“Only if you help me with something,” I said, my voice steady now.
“Anything, love,” he replied.
“I want to completely erase my identity,” I whispered. “I want to be dead to them. I want Isabel Smith gone so they never find me again.”
Another short laugh echoed through the speaker. “I can make that happen in days.”
“Good,” I said. “Pick me up in two. I’ll be ready.”
And I hung up. But I didn’t know Roger had been listening by the door.
The moment I turned around, his voice sliced through the air like a whip.
“Who the hell were you talking to?”
I blinked. “What?”
“Two days?” he repeated, stepping into the room. “Pick you up? Who are you talking to, huh? Me? That wasn’t for me, was it? Are you cheating on me? Seriously?”
He lunged for my phone, trying to unlock it.
“What’s your password?” he barked.
“Our anniversary,” I said coolly.
He entered it. His brows furrowed. “It’s not working. Isn’t it June 12?”
I shrugged. “Maybe that was the anniversary you had with Paula.”
His face twisted in rage.
The next thing I knew, pain exploded in my cheek as the phone cracked against my skin. I stumbled backward, tasting blood.
“You bitch!” he shouted. “Tell me who the hell you were talking to! Why are your bags packed?”
“I’m going on a trip,” I said, wiping the blood from my lip.
“A trip?” he laughed bitterly. “Did I allow you to go anywhere? With what money?”
“I saved some. I’ve been selling my paintings.”
“You saved some?” His voice grew louder. “Then give it to me!”
My heart pounded. “No. That’s mine. My hard-earned money.”
He stared at me like I had lost my mind. “Paula wants to travel. She’s been feeling down lately—lost some money in her investments. I said we’ll book something for her.”
“And you want to use my money to take her on a trip?” I snapped. “You said she’s independent. She has her own money.”
“She’s your sister!” he bellowed. “The least you can do is support her. You want to ruin her birthday too?!”
I felt something inside me crack.
“Where are you going?” I asked, my voice shaking.
“To see the aurora borealis,” he said casually.
My stomach dropped.
That was my dream.
I had once told him, long ago, in one of those rare nights when we were still in love, that if I had just one thing left on my bucket list, it would be to see the northern lights.
And now he was handing it to her.
“No,” I whispered. “You’re not using my money for that.”
But Roger didn’t care. He pushed me aside, dug through my drawer, and pulled out the envelope I had hidden.
“Roger, please!” I begged. “That’s all I have!”
He didn’t even glance at me as he stormed out of the room, calling for Mateo.
Minutes later, I followed quietly to the living room. I stood in the hallway and listened.
“You’re sure we can use this?” Paula asked, voice dripping with false concern.
“Of course,” Roger replied. “You’re her sister—this is her being supportive of you! Besides, we’re flying first class. You’ll love it.”
“And her?” Mateo snorted, amusement thick in his voice.
“She can sit in economy if she wants. Or stay. Doesn’t matter.”
Laughter followed. Loud, cruel, victorious. Then came the words that sealed it.
Paula turned to me, her smile sweet and rehearsed. “Oh, there you are. Thank you, Isabel. Really. I know you’re doing this from your heart. You’ve always been so giving.”
I walked up to her. Looked her dead in the eyes.
Then I slapped her. Hard. Across the face. The sound cracked across the room like thunder.
She gasped, stumbling back, holding her cheek. “What the hell?!”
“No,” I said, my voice ice. “I didn’t agree to this. I never agreed to this. I saved that money for me. For my dream. And you—” I turned to Roger, to Mateo, “—none of you had the right.”
Roger’s face twisted with rage. “You slapped her? Are you insane?!”
Mateo stormed toward me, grabbing my arm. “What the hell is wrong with you, Mom? She's your sister!”
“She’s a leech,” I snapped. “A parasite who latched on to this family and turned all of you against me!”
Roger shoved me hard by the shoulder, sending me stumbling back. “Don’t you dare insult her. You’re jealous, that’s what this is!”
“Jealous?” I laughed bitterly. “I gave up everything for this family. And all I got in return is betrayal.”
“Oh please,” Mateo rolled his eyes. “You sit around all day doing nothing. You're just bitter because Dad actually wants to spend time with someone useful.”
“Yeah,” Roger added coldly. “At least Paula knows how to make people feel wanted. Not like you. Always whining, always playing victim.”
“And now what?” Mateo mocked. “You want us to clap for you because you saved a little money selling some ugly paintings?”
Tears burned in my eyes—but I refused to let them fall. “I saved for something I’ve always wanted. And you took it. Again. You took everything.”
“You didn’t even ask,” I whispered to Roger. “You just assumed I’d hand it all over. Like I always have.”
Roger shrugged. “You live here for free. You eat, sleep, breathe because I let you. That money? It’s mine by default.”
“Ungrateful,” Mateo sneered. “You should be thanking us for not kicking you out yet.”
I looked at them—really looked at them. My husband, who once held my hand at the altar. My son, who I carried and raised. My sister, who I sheltered, defended, and loved.
None of them were mine anymore. None of them ever had been.
“Pack our things. Enough being dramatic.”
That was it.
And so I did. Like a maid. Like I always had.
My hands shook as I folded Paula’s blouses, Mateo’s suits, Roger’s favorite coat. I stuffed them all into matching luggage. The kind of luggage they’d never let me use.
After I finished, I headed to the kitchen. I hadn’t eaten all day. My head throbbed. My body ached. Maybe a little food would—
“Here,” Paula said, smiling as she handed me a plate.
I looked down. Dog food. Not literally—but cold, grey slop on a dirty dish. Leftovers mixed together in what looked like mockery. Bits of rice and sauce hardened at the corners. My stomach turned.
I gagged, retching into the sink.
Roger stormed in. “You really don’t know how to be grateful, do you?! Your sister just fed you and this is how you repay her?”
Then, without warning, the plate hit my face.
Grease and sauce dripping from my cheek, I stood frozen in place.
But I didn’t scream. I didn’t cry.
Just two days, I reminded myself.
Two more days and I’d be gone.
Forever.
