The Woman They Broke, The Queen She Became

I stared at Grayson with a dry expression on my face, while he just kept smiling, then finally, he turned and walked away.

Aside from me, everyone else seemed to be in a very good mood that morning.

They all seemed so alive, while I was the exact opposite—moving like a corpse on borrowed time.

After hours of them getting ready, I was once asked again to drive them to the airport because they wanted to nap on the way a little.

Even though I was the one that needed that little nap the most.

When we walked out of the house, Freya was already parked outside with her car,

“Freya,” Grayson was the first to giggle sweetly on seeing her,

“Grandma Freya. I'm so glad you came to pick us up!” Ethan danced excitedly, moving away from my car and running over to hers instead,

“Get in everyone. I wanted us to have a good ride to the airport,” Freya grinned, opening the doors of her shiny white SUV.

“Grandma Freya is here with her luxurious car. Who would want to get into yours that looks like a homeless shelter on wheels,” Ethan spat rashly, making everyone laugh except me,

I drove alone to the airport with only the luggages as my company while the rest of my family was in Freya's luxurious car, probably having fun without me as always,

We arrived at the airport, minutes later.

While they were busy talking and walking ahead, I was struggling to carry all the heavy luggage out of the car like I was their personal servant,

By the time I reached where they were with the bags, I was out of breath, my whole face greased with sweat,

“Why do I only see three luggages when there are four of you?” Freya asked,

Only then did they all finally turn in my direction—like they had just realized I existed—their brows raised at me,

“Mom, you were the one in charge of the luggages. Where is the remaining one?”

I tried to stay calm but I was already panicking.

Before I could even think, Grayson stepped forward and shoved me hard on the shoulder.

I lost my balance and hit the ground with a thud. My head spun—but while I was wincing in pain, Grayson just kept yelling,

“You are really an evil person! You were pretending to be calm all these while and I honestly thought you had changed for good,”

“So this was what you had in mind—to ruin our trip and make us all look like fools at the airport? You can’t even do one thing right!” he barked, his voice sharp and loud enough to draw a few stares from passerbys.

“Grayson, please stop…” I tried to get him to calm down but he didn't.

Everyone was looking at us at this point.

That was when Isabelle stepped forward, a slightly downcast look on her face,

“I think I might have left Ethan's bag in my room. It was the smallest, and I had mistaken it for my make-up bag when I was rushing out,”

But even with the truth out, Grayson still didn't stop putting the blame on me,

“If you had paid more attention to us. This wouldn't be happening. You are always playing the victim, acting like you’re so innocent. But deep down, you enjoy making everyone miserable,”

Pissed off by his words, I tried to get up, but my foot slid on the overly smooth tiled floor. I lost balance, and before I could catch myself, I collapsed with another heavy thud, my vision blurring as the cold tiles met my skin.

I lay there completely helpless while my Family went off like I was just a stranger to them.

I opened my eyes to see it was dark already and the airport cleaner sitting beside my bed had been the one who had rushed me to the hospital,

As I headed home, I stared at my phone continuously…but there was not a single call or text message from my family.

After all my sacrifices, this was what they were paying me with.

As I strolled into the house, my eyes blurry with tears, I knew there was no way I would let myself remain this way any longer.

This house was a lot more peaceful with them gone. Why wouldn't I want to feel this way forever?

The next morning, I didn't even let the day get fully bright before I reached a developer.

Over the years, there have been a lot of developers trying to convince me to sell the space of my house because of its location and potential. I never cared before. But now, after everything, I had a different thought in mind.

I wasn’t just breaking down a house anymore. I was breaking away my past—every painful memory, every moment I was ignored and hurt.

When I signed the papers that morning, I felt something lift off my chest.

The house would be wiped off the face of the earth soon. And with it, the last piece of the life I thought I deserved but never had.

This time, I was finally choosing myself.