I frowned and replied, [There’s nothing to discuss. We’re divorced. You can marry whoever you want.]
[That’s not what I wanted to talk about. Luigi has never been married and he doesn’t have any children. So I want Lucas to change his surname, along with Xavion and Xavier.]
The anger I had just suppressed instantly surged back, raging in my chest.
I never imagined that Wanda would dare to make such an audacious request.
Not only did she want to marry Luigi, but she also expected all our son and grandsons to take his surname, leaving me as a lonely old man.
My hands shook as I dialed her number and I nearly shouted, "Wanda Larson, do you even realize what you're asking?"
"After decades of marriage, is there truly no love left between us? Must you drive me to death to feel satisfied?"
Her voice was calm and collected, as if she had anticipated my fury. "Ethan, I’m not commanding you. I’m just discussing it. Before you lose your temper, maybe you should ask the boys for their opinion. They’re adults now, so they have their own minds. Don’t you think you’ve controlled them enough over the years?"
I snapped. " I don’t need to ask. And I certainly won’t agree to this!"
"The blood that runs in our children’s veins is Mitchell’s family blood. That’s their heritage, their legacy!"
"They’ll change their surname to Collins over my dead body!"
Before she could respond, I abruptly hung up.
The phone buzzed repeatedly as she tried to call back, refusing to give in. It was not until I blocked her number that the house finally grew silent again.
I stared at the emptiness that had settled in my home, feeling more isolated than ever before.
The next morning, I began clearing out all of Wanda’s belongings. Once the house was stripped of her traces, it felt less suffocating.
I did not sleep the entire night. My thoughts swirled endlessly until a quiet clarity emerged.
A person cannot live solely for love, especially not for someone who doesn’t love you back.
I reminded myself that I was only sixty-three, still young enough to start anew. I resolved to live each day well and to be kind to myself.
Without hesitation, I signed up for a senior tour group. The chosen route was to the Great Northwind.