CHAPTER EIGHT No Longer My Family
CHAPTER EIGHT
No Longer My Family
Two weeks later...
I was transferred to a rehabilitation center.
Every morning began the same way.
Physical therapy.
Pain.
Failure.
Hope.
Repeat.
One afternoon, my parents appeared without warning.
My father carried flowers.
My mother carried paperwork.
Neither hugged me.
Dad placed the bouquet on the windowsill.
"We've spoken with Tyler's attorney."
I said nothing.
Mom slid the papers onto my lap.
"If you withdraw your statement..."
"...we can settle this privately."
I looked down.
A settlement agreement.
A trust fund.
Several properties.
Millions of dollars.
My mother smiled weakly.
"This doesn't have to destroy the family."
I looked at her for a long moment.
Then I pushed the papers onto the floor.
"You still don't understand."
Dad frowned.
"What does that mean?"
"My family ended the moment Tyler pushed me."
Silence.
"You two buried it the moment you asked me to lie."
Neither of them spoke.
"I've spent my whole life trying to earn your love."
My voice never shook.
"I'm done applying."
I pressed the nurse call button.
A security officer arrived minutes later.
"My parents are leaving."
Dad stared at me.
"You'd throw away your own family?"
I met his eyes.
"No."
"You already did."
May you like
They walked out without another word.
I never saw either of them again before the trial.
