A Woman’s Father Caused the Fire That Scarred Her Mother’s Face, Then Abandoned His Wife Because He ‘Couldn’t Look at Her Anymore’ – Ten Years Later, He Returned Expecting His Ex-Wife to Take Him in but Went Pale When He Saw Who Was Standing Beside Her

“No.”

“We were married for years.”

“And I spent years learning how to live without you.”

He looked at me, hoping I would intervene.

“Heidi, please.”

I remembered his promise at the door ten years earlier.

Of course I’ll still see you, sweetheart.

I remembered the birthday calls that became shorter, the visits that never happened, and the nights my mother cried silently when she thought I was asleep.

I remembered the money she had spent on treatments while believing our finances were being handled honestly.

I remembered the woman she had been before she learned to fear her own reflection.

And I remembered the woman standing beside me now.

“I waited for you for years, Dad,” I said. “I’m not waiting anymore.”

He stared at me.

Then he turned toward Morgan, as though he expected him to offer a compromise.

Morgan didn’t.

My father lifted his suitcase.

He looked at my mother one last time.