"Nate, it’s okay. Cry it all out. I know you're really heartbroken, mate. Just let it all out … it's okay ... it's okay … "
Several people pulled me away. The moment my hand slipped from the car door, the funeral car drove off. That was the end.
I watched as it got farther and farther away, taking my children with it. My body finally gave out and I closed my eyes, losing consciousness. When I woke up, I was in the old Humphrey Family’s mansion. Dimitri sat by my bed, his eyes red and swollen.
As soon as he saw me open my eyes, he wiped away his tears and spoke in relief, "Nate, you're awake! Do you want some water? Are you hungry?"
I tried to force a smile, but instead, tears rolled down the sides of my face.
"Dimitri, please ... Let me go. I have nothing left with me anymore … "
Dimitri froze, then sighed as if he had made up his mind.
"Fine, Nate ... I'll tell Grandpa."
I watched his back as he left the room. As soon as he left, I couldn’t hold it in anymore. Without further ado, I covered my eyes with the back of my hand and sobbed.
I had come to the Humphrey Family when I was six years old. Mr. Humphrey and my grandfather, Mr. Brown, had been World War II comrades. Both of them were bound by a lifelong friendship.
When I was three years old, my parents died in a freak accident. My grandfather raised me after that. But when I was six years old, he unfortunately passed away. His passing left me completely alone in the world.
It was Mr. Humphrey who took me in. He raised me as his own grandson. Over the years, both he and Dimitri treated me like real family. For seven years, no matter how cruel Tatiana was, I endured it. As a man, I stayed home, did the housework and took care of my children.
I thought that as long as I had them, that was enough.
But now, I had nothing.
I didn’t know how much time had passed when Dimitri came back into the room.
"Grandpa wants to see you."
I walked into the study, where Mr. Humphrey sat in his old rocking chair. He looked at me with deep sorrow.
"Good grief, Nate! I’ve heard everything. It was my stubbornness that kept you trapped all these years."
"The children will be buried tomorrow. Once the ceremony is over, if you want to leave, you are free to do so. That ungrateful bitch really let you down. She never deserves you just for one bit."
I didn’t say anything. I just bowed deeply to him.
Tears dripped onto the floor as I bent forward. I was grateful to the Humphrey Family for raising me for over twenty years, but I could never forgive Tatiana. I could never continue being her husband!
Besides, there was nothing left to say.
Mr. Humphrey let out a long sigh.
"Alright, my dear Nate ... You can go."
As soon as I returned to my room, Tatiana walked in.
She sneered the moment she saw me.
"What? You ran to Grandpa to complain already? Nate, do you really think that if you get on his good side, I’ll just listen to whatever you say?"
"I don't understand what kind of spell you put on Grandpa and my Dimitri to make them take your side for so many years."
The moment I saw her, the hatred in my heart nearly consumed me. I wanted to kill her. I wanted her to pay for my children’s lives!
But then, their voices echoed in my head.
"Dad, where’s Mom? Is she busy with work again today? We haven’t seen her in so long."
"Even though Mom doesn’t like us, we still miss her a lot."
"Dad, we love you so much... And we love Mom too."
The last thing my sons said to me before they were carried out of the basement had been the same.
