After my emotionally charged conversation with the brothers, I headed straight to check on Mom and Jelena. Jelena seemed fine, bouncing back with her usual resilience, but Mom was a different story. When Dad abruptly walked out, she had instinctively followed him, only to be met with his usual cold shrug.
It wasn't surprising; that man was an emotional iceberg. I was sure he wouldn't bat an eye if his fake death had completely shattered our lives—in fact, he probably hoped it would. All he ever cared about was his damned business, nothing more.
A fresh wave of hurt washed over me, mingling with a familiar disappointment at his continued coldness towards his own family. You'd think I'd be used to it by now, but it still stung. Despite the gnawing helplessness inside me, I tried to offer
