Chapter 14 - The Price of Pride
We opened the front door to find Arthur standing in the hallway, dripping wet onto the welcome mat.
He looked ten years older. The arrogant posture he had maintained for a decade was completely gone.
"Sarah... Leo..." Arthur choked out, his eyes welling with tears.
"My mother is staying at a state-funded shelter in Queens while she awaits her trial."
"Valerie took her bags and moved back to her parents' house in Ohio yesterday."
"She... she told me the baby isn't even mine."
I stood beside Leo, keeping my arms folded, offering no pity.
"You made your choices, Arthur," I said coldly.
"You let your mother destroy your marriage, steal your son's trust, and treat me like trash for twelve years."
"I know... I know!" Arthur sobbed, dropping to his knees right on the welcome mat.
"I was a coward!"
"I was so terrified of failing in front of my mother that I let her ruin everything good in my life!"
"Leo... please, son... forgive me."
Leo looked down at his kneeling father, his expression calm, sad, and distant.
"I forgive you, Dad," Leo spoke softly.
Arthur looked up with a flicker of hope in his eyes. "You do?"
"Yes," Leo nodded.
"Because hating you takes too much energy."
"But I’m not coming back."
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"Sarah gave me a home when you let Grandma throw us out."
"She’s my family now."
