I was shocked to my core. I pushed Angeline away and scooped Everett up in my arms. He was so cold and shivering. I quickly put him under a quilt to keep him warm.
Angeline merely complained that I was making a big deal out of nothing by coddling him. She insisted that children would end up spoiled if they never faced any struggles. She claimed she was using the cold water to improve his physical fitness.
Everett developed a high fever that day. I was about to take him back to the hospital when Angeline stopped me and said the fever was caused by evil spirits. In cahoots with Rowan, she snatched Everett from my arms and took him to the church to ask for blessings. She then boiled three bowls of holy water and fed it to Everett.
When I finally arrived at the scene, Everett was almost dead.
As Everett listened to me talk about the past, all emotion left his face. He turned to look at Angeline.
“Grandma, is what Mom said true?”
Of course it was true.
I met Angeline’s guilty eyes.
Just as Angeline was about to succumb to defeat, Rowan walked out of the study and said, “It’s been so many years. Why can’t you let go of this old matter?”
“No matter what happened,” Rowan blamed me, “it’s your fault for failing to communicate with Mom properly.
“Mom had Everett’s best interests at heart, but you think it’s an unforgivable crime that she loves him too, right?” Just like that, Rowan wiped Angeline’s slate clean with just a few words.
Everett caught on.
“Mom, don’t blame Grandma.” Everett tried to make peace and said, “Grandma is uneducated and doesn’t understand such complicated things. You shouldn’t keep bringing old matters up. Besides, grandma is sick now. Don’t hold on to those old grudges anymore.”
I looked at Angeline, who had regained her composure after faltering a bit earlier. “Yes, Daphne. We’re still a family, after all.”
Angeline looked at me sideways and noticed the luggage I was holding. She quickly changed the subject and asked, “What are you doing with your luggage?
“You’re not going to run away from home again, are you?” Angeline deliberately brought up the past and said, “You pulled this trick before to force Rowan to drive me away. Do you really think…”
Angeline started crying again. “I shouldn’t have come home after all! Fine, I’ll just leave!”
She did not even move an inch to make it look convincing.
Everett stood in front of Angeline, and Rowan looked at me angrily. I suddenly realized that all was lost.
I had dedicated my entire life to this family, but all I got in return was being called too calculative for continuing to bring up the past.
In that case, I wanted to see how harmoniously the three of them could live without me, the ‘calculative’ one.
“You don’t have to leave.”
I interrupted Angeline’s act. Under her surprised gaze, I looked at Rowan coldly and said, “We’re getting a divorce.”
