My father let out a slow breath, rubbing his temples like this was just some inconvenient confrontation rather than the reckoning he deserved.
“I know I owe you an explanation.”
I scoffed.
“You owe me more than that.”
He exhaled, finally looking me in the eyes.
“I left because I had to, Ivy, not because I wanted to.”
I laughed loudly.
It came out hollow and bitter.
“You let me think that you were dead or something. You let me believe that I wasn’t worth a goodbye.”
Amber was crying now, wiping at her eyes as if she was the one who had lost something.
I turned to her, my voice sharp.
“And you? When exactly did you think it was a good idea to marry my missing father?”
She looked away, guilt shadowing her face.
“Well, congratulations, I guess,” I said.
“You’re officially family now. I hope it was worth it.”
I turned on my heel, heading straight for the exit.
“Ivy, please. I don’t want to lose you again, darling.”
I stopped, but I didn’t turn around.
My voice was cold and distant when I spoke.
“Please, Philip,” I said. “You lost me years ago. You just never cared enough to look.”
And with that, I walked out of my best friend’s wedding.
My father’s wedding.
And finally, I walked out of both of their lives.
That night, I sat in my car, parked outside my house.
My head was still spinning, and I couldn’t get the image of Amber and my father out of my mind. There was a part of me that wanted to know more… Like how they had met and gotten together.
But I also didn’t care enough. I was too hurt.
Amber had texted me.
Ivy, I’m so sorry. Please talk to me.
I stared at the message, my hands shaking.
Then, slowly, I deleted it.
Outside, the streetlight flickered.
For the first time in years, I felt like I had finally stopped waiting by the window.
What was the point in waiting for this man?
And waiting for Amber to realize how wrong she had been?
No, thank you. I was done.
What would you have done?
