After the Last Tear: Rising from the Ashes of a Broken Marriage By Cassila K

Chapter 44

As I walked out of the cemetery, I saw someone I hadn't expected—my dad. Jackson must have gone to see him, which is how he found out about my mom's camera. He must have also known that I was back.

With a somewhat tentative tone, he asked, "Have you eaten?"

I didn't respond immediately and asked, "What do you want from me?"

He hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Could you come home for a while?"

I couldn't hold back a sarcastic laugh. "You've always told me to stay away. I've followed your wishes, so why now, all of a sudden, do you want me to return?" His voice trembled as he said, "... Your sister is ill. She has cancer."

I froze for a moment, taken aback.

"I've tried everything... we've sold everything we can. You're her sister. Could you help her?"

His face was full of sorrow and regret.

"I know you resent me, but it wasn't what I wanted. It wasn't my choice to push you away..."

His eyes were filled with pain. "You're my daughter. How could I ever bear to send you away? I had my reasons."

a tangled mess of

going to follow in my mother's footsteps and become a doctor. I rushed home, hoping to share the good news, but when I overheard him arguing with my aunt in the kitchen, I heard words that cut

will be going to college soon too. How are

her to adulthood. Isn't

it's either her or me in

ran out, sitting on the street alone for the rest of the afternoon. That entire summer, I lived

thought I

to fall apart again, so you sacrificed me. No matter

interrupted,

you're not

years, he'd sent money into my account from time to

the money you gave me. The rest... let it be

don't come looking for

lightness wash over me. All the burdens that had weighed heavily on my heart seemed to lift and disappear,

at the flower shop where Joseph had once bought my mother the bird-of-paradise flowers. The owner recognized me, but the

are you moving

smiled, "We're closing down! I

a moment. "Well,

remaining lilies of the valley, hyacinths, and olive branches, and wrapped them into a bouquet for me. "May we all embrace