I limped to the phone, dialed an international number I hadn't touched in a decade.
"Professor Murray," I said, my voice low, "I'm ready to join the research project."
——
It was a call I should've made ten years ago.
The moment I ended the call, Sara walked in. Elise followed, arms crossed, gaze sharp with the kind of disdain only a child scorned could carry.
"So you heard everything," Sara said. Her tone was casual now, like a burden had finally been lifted. "Then I won't bother pretending anymore. Francis is coming back soon. You'd better behave. Don't stir up trouble, or there really won't be a place for you in this house."
Elise stepped forward, her eyes cold and unforgiving.
"If you hadn't raised me all these years," she said with a sneer, "I would've told Mom to kick you out a long time ago."
Her words didn't stop there.
"You think you're special? If you weren't my dad's brother, do you really think you would've had a chance with my mom?"
I stared at the two of them—one tall, one small. They looked so alike in that moment, united in contempt. Ten years ago, I had stood in front of this same woman, vowing to take care of her and the child she bore. Ten years ago, I had held a squalling infant in my arms, promising to raise her as my own.
I had given everything. Every opportunity. Every ambition. I missed my chance at the top research institute overseas. I gave up my career, my future, my life—because my brother ran.
He ran and I stayed.
Now, the baby who once cried in my arms stood before me, strong enough to hate me to my face. And the woman I had protected all these years could barely hide her revulsion.
Ten whole years had passed in the blink of an eye—and in a single moment, it was as if they had never happened.
My throat tightened. I blinked quickly, pushing back the sting rising behind my eyes. My voice came out rough, like it had been scraped raw.
"Sara," I said softly, "let's get a divorce."
She froze. For a second, I thought she hadn't heard me. Then her face contorted like someone had slapped her.
Before she could speak, Elise cut in sharply.
"Uncle Oliver! Is it really that hard for you to accept my dad?" she snapped. "He's not even back yet and you're already threatening to divorce my mom?"
She wasn't finished.