A man holding cash in his hands, looking surprised | Source: Midjourney
“What are you doing ?” My voice was barely a whisper, but Daniel jumped as if he had been shot.
He turned around, a wad of cash in his hand. “Mom ! I…I can explain!”
“Get out of here.” The words were frozen. “Get out now, or I’ll call the police.”
Daniel’s face fell. For a moment, I saw the little boy he was. Then his expression hardened. Without a word, he took his bags, which were still by the front door, and left.
A man leaving an apartment building, carrying luggage | Source: Midjourney
When the door slammed behind him, I collapsed to the floor. Tears streamed down my face, but I felt a strange sense of peace. I had survived thirteen years without him. I had survived Robert’s death, crushing debt, and chronic illness.
