April Fools “Surprise” Husband Divorcing Me For His “Pure” Girl novel Chapter 102

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Three days later. I went to Dad’s grave.

t was up on the hill behind the old house. Jake handled the burial.

went alone. Didn’t tell anyone.

tanding in front of the headstone, I pulled out the photograph.

eventeen-year-old me, grinning like the world was mine.

Dad.” My voice came out flat. I got your gift. The photograph. Thanks.”

Vind rustled through the trees.

I’m not mad at you.” I stared at the stone. “You were always like this. I knew that a long time ago.”

crouched down and set the photo on the ground in front of his name.

But you know what?” My voice cracked. The biggest regret of my life? Listening to you.”

thought about that summer.

[I hadn’t ripped up that acceptance letter.

[I’d fought back. If I’d gone to Stanford anyway.

Yould my life be different?

don’t know.

ll I know is that from that moment on, I became the family’s backup plan.

ake needed tuition? I paid it.

fom and Dad needed care? I gave it.

he family hit a crisis? I fixed it.

Vhy?

lecause I was the second kid?

lecause I was a daughter?

stood up, staring at the photo on his headstone.

Dad, you know why I’m not crying?”

I hadn’t cried once since the lawyer’s office.

Not a single tear.

“Because I already cried myself dry. My throat tightened. “Twenty years ago.”

That summer. I sobbed into my pillow all night

After that? Never again.

Chapter 6

I learned to grit my teeth.

learned to take it.

learned to swallow every ounce of pain and keep moving.

Because I knew crying wouldn’t change anything.

Dad wasn’t going to let me go to college just because I cried.

Mom wasn’t going to give me more attention because I cried.

laire and Jake weren’t going to step up because I cried.

This family needed someone to hold it together.

ind that person was always me.

Dad.” I took a breath. “Thanks for leaving me this photograph.”

slid it back into my bag.

This was the last time you ever really saw me.”

turned and started down the hill.

And from now on?” My voice was barely a whisper. “I don’t have to see you either.”

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