I knew exactly who was behind it.
When the last day of that punishment finally ended, I could breathe again.
With trembling, swollen fingers, I opened Janet Hayward's social media.
One week. The amusement park, home, tutoring classes, the movies.
A happy little family of three, picture-perfect and warm.
And in that moment, I knew with absolute clarity that it was time to end it all.
I prepared everything: the bank card with the engagement fund, the paternity test results, my medical report, and the surveillance audio from the school on parent-teacher conference day.
Early Saturday morning, I invited Herman's family and my brother and sister-in-law to a farewell dinner to discuss the wedding.
We waited at the restaurant for a long time. Herman never showed.
I called seven times. He didn't pick up until the last one.
Before I could even speak, I heard a child crying in the background.
"Can you stop rushing me? If you can't wait, just eat first. We already settled the wedding plans. What's there to even talk about?"
I paused. Whatever shred of dignity remained between us had just been ripped away.
My brother's expression darkened.
I said nothing and hung up.
The atmosphere at the table turned awkward.
His parents rushed to smooth things over.
"He's a doctor, you know. Always busy. Let's just eat."
I didn't respond. My resolve only hardened.
As I picked up my chopsticks, a message popped up on my phone.
Sorry, there was an emergency patient just now. I was in a rush. I'll be right there.
I didn't reply.
It wasn't the first time he'd used "being in a rush" as an excuse to hurt me.
Half an hour later, Herman finally arrived.
He had Herbert with him.
"His parents had something to do, so I'm watching him. Figured I'd bring him along for the meal."
He caught my blank expression and furrowed his brow slightly.
As he sat down, he leaned close to my ear and whispered, "I've already let the other day slide, so don't push it. Order some of the kid's favorites."
"I'm trying to smooth things over between you two. The least you could do is not sit there with that look on your face."
I looked at him in silence.
I'd planned to handle this with some grace. I hadn't expected him to be this shameless.
A cold laugh slipped out of me. I tucked the paternity test between the pages of the menu and slid it across to him.