“I haven’t eaten since morning,” I said, my voice breaking as tears welled up. “I’ve been with the baby all day, Seraphine. Doesn’t that matter to anyone?”
Zevran looked up, his brow furrowed in annoyance.
“Come on, Liora, don’t blow this out of proportion. Mom’s been helping all day.”
“Helping?” I snapped, my voice rising as the dam of frustration broke, tears streaming down my face. “She’s been chatting with her friends while I’m drowning in diapers and feedings!
I’m starving, Zevran, shaking from hunger, and no one thought to save me even a crumb? Don’t you see how much I’m struggling?”
Seraphine folded her arms, her lips pursed. “You’re being dramatic, Liora.
I cooked for everyone. You should’ve come out earlier if you wanted to eat.” She gestured to the sink, piled high with dirty dishes. “And since you’re here now, you might as well clean those up.
They’re not going to wash themselves.”
I stared at her, stunned, the weight of her words crushing me further. “You expect me to wash dishes after all this? After I’ve had no food, no rest, and no help?” My voice trembled, the hurt and anger mixing into a storm inside me.
Zevran stood, his face stern. “You’re making Mom feel bad, Liora. You’re overreacting.
Just do the dishes and let’s move on.”
His words felt like a betrayal, a knife twisting in my heart. I was alone, unseen, and unvalued in my own home, now tasked with scrubbing the remnants of a meal I wasn’t even offered. Unable to bear another moment, I grabbed a bag, packed essentials for me and my son, and fled to my mother’s house, tears blurring my vision as I drove.
When I arrived, my mother enveloped me in a warm embrace, her voice soft and soothing. “You’re doing so much, my sweet girl. Rest here, you’re safe,” she said, stroking my hair as I clung to her, my son nestled against me.
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