“You’ve changed, Audrey. You weren’t like this before. You used to be so understanding. Look at you now; you’re completely unreasonable.”
Who was the one who changed?
Once, no matter what happened, they stood by my side without question. Now, all they did was blame me, refusing to listen or see. And yet, they dared to say I had changed?
A deep, suffocating sadness crashed over me like a tidal wave, raw and unrelenting. Every breath felt like agony, a dull ache pressing against my chest.
But I swallowed it down. This pain was mine alone to bear.
Without sparing me another glance, Hugo and Jasper turned away, focusing solely on Ava as they carefully led her out.
The moment their figures disappeared through the doorway, a single thought echoed in my mind: just two more days, and I would finally be free.
At the first light of dawn, I slipped out the door.
At the fresh market, I picked out a plump chicken, a softshell turtle, and a bag of high-calcium milk powder, things the elderly needed.
After marriage, my in-laws had always treated me like their own daughter, warm and kind.
Before I left for good, I wanted to see them one last time.
As I stepped through the familiar doorway, my mother-in-law greeted me with a bright smile.
“Audrey, what brings you here on a random day like this?”
I let out a light laugh. “What? Mom, you don’t want to see me?”
She beamed, her face lighting up with joy. “What nonsense! Your dad and I are always looking forward to seeing you. We don’t want to disturb you when you’re busy with work. By the way, where are Hugo and Jasper? Why didn’t they come with you?”
The moment she mentioned my husband and son, the bitterness I had fought so hard to suppress came rushing back, raw and unrelenting. It coiled in my chest, a sharp ache I could barely contain.
Sensing the shift in my expression, my mother-in-law’s brows furrowed with concern. “Did something happen? Are those two giving you trouble? Let me tell you, Audrey, you can’t just let them walk all over you. If they step out of line, don’t hesitate to hit, scold, or teach them a lesson. Don’t hold back.”
My father-in-law’s voice rumbled from the kitchen as he busied himself with the ingredients. “Your mom’s right. A man who isn’t disciplined won’t learn. If you can’t bring yourself to do it, just say the word, we’ll handle it for you.”