I Refuse this Late

I waited until midnight when my father finally returned from the office, and went to see him with a suitcase.

I only brought along the very worn clothes that Grandpa had given me on the day the Sullivans came to bring me home.

Wiping my tears and zipping up the suitcase, I left the suitcase by the doorway and knocked on the door to my father's study, and waited.

"Come in," he finally said.

"Dad," I greeted him as I entered, standing tamely at a corner.

He studied me, pursing his lips when he saw the bruises on my bare skin. "I heard about what happened—it's our fault for confiscating your debit card, and you wouldn't have—"

"Dad," I cut him short, losing composure right then.

But I just can't bear to be reminded of those nightmarish days.

Sighing, I said, "I'd like to move out."

He sighed as he reclined against his seat. "I know you're still blaming us, and it's our fault for not being there for you… but your mother's going to miss you."

I hung my head and said self-deprecatingly, "You'll still have Uriah."

"What about Stella?" He countered. "You love her, don't you? Can you really bear to leave her?"

I was silent.

Indeed, everyone knew that I was in love with Stella—I couldn't stop myself from chasing after her ever since we met.

The rich and the privileged called me her loyal dog, but none of them remembered I tried to make something for myself.

And when I failed and lost millions, she was there, standing firm at my side and telling me tenderly that it was business—there'd always be losses.

She was there for me when I retaliated after being mocked, even telling me I did well.

She was always dining with me, happily receiving my flowers and remembering my birthday.

But she changed when Uriah returned from abroad.

She was the one who told me that a person must always fend for themselves so that they wouldn't be constantly bullied.

That I had the right to defend myself because I was heir to the Sullivan family.

Ironically, she was also the one who told me I had become too thorny, and told me she had to dethorn and tame me.

"I think we should call off our engagement," I said to my father, and to myself. "I won't cling to her anymore."

My father breathed a long sigh, but nodded in understanding and slid the debit card into my palm. "Try to visit us whenever you can."

My fingers tightened around the debit card without knowing it as I bowed my head. "Thank you."

He nodded in turn. "I'll be sending more money from time to time. It's fine if you don't like it here, but you're always our son—you can return whenever."

I turned, resolved not to respond to the concern that came all too late.

"Do you need a ride?" He asked.

I shook my head.

At this point, I understand that the wounds in my heart wouldn't ever heal as long as I stayed in this house or near Stella.

I had to let go of the past and start anew.

My father had to let me leave too, as he understood what happened drove us apart, and making me stay would only make me hate them.

And I couldn't care less about how Stella would react either.