When Maisy was ten, she was hit by a car and badly injured.

We borrowed from every friend and relative we could, but we were still short 200 dollars for the surgery.

Lilith cried and started picking burial plots, but I refused to accept that fate.

I'd heard workplace injuries paid compensation. That same night, I put my hand into the machine.

In the end, Maisy survived, and I was left mildly disabled. I could never do heavy labor again.

Back then, I thought it was worth it. Now it felt like everything was for nothing.

Ignoring their anger, I slammed the door and left.

They used to threaten me by storming out. This time, I was the one who walked away.

The breeze brushed my hair.

For once, I treated myself. I bought expensive drinks and booked a five-star hotel. I slept like the dead.

In my dream, I went back to the moment I never wanted to face—the endless wailing of a child, the splatter of fresh blood, a wife who couldn't be reached, and my own utter helplessness.

When the payment notice came for the eighth time, I was so desperate that I wanted to jump off a building.

Later, my severed fingers were wrapped in gauze.

Maisy woke up, but I lost my job and barely survived.

Lilith, who claimed she was out borrowing money, finally returned empty-handed.

With a face full of guilt, she claimed the signal in the countryside was poor, and her parents were broke. She swore she had begged on her knees for hours but still couldn't get a single penny.

"Honey, as long as our family's still together, we'll earn the money someday."

I didn't blame her. I even felt sorry for her, blaming myself for being useless and failing to give them an easy life.

What I never imagined was that the woman who played the role of a helpless dependent was earning two thousand dollars a month.

She hid it well. She refused to pay to save Maisy's life, yet gave everything to support her first love.

How ironic.

30 years had passed. Even Maisy forgot the resentment. I was the only one still trapped in that night when I was destined to lose something.

My phone rang, and I answered.

The voice of Kaia Sparks, Lilith's mother, came through. "Sean, no grievance is too great for a couple to settle. Lilith spoke out of anger. I'll apologize on her behalf.

"Just let it go. Life is easier when you don't look too closely. As long as the family stays together, dignity is a small price to pay."

My chest tightened. I forced my voice steady as I asked, "You knew Lilith never cut ties with her first love, didn't you?"

Kaia gasped, her breathing turning uneven.

I suddenly laughed. I couldn't understand why sincerity always earned me lies.

"When you were dying, I paid the 400 thousand dollars for your treatment. After that, you treated me like your own son, always taking my side when we fought.

"I thought you were the only warmth I had left in this family. Turns out, you were her accomplice too."

With that, I ended the call. My phone, long past its lifespan, finally died.

I took out my wallet. Inside was money I'd saved little by little over the years, plus the 200 bucks Lilith casually tossed me yesterday.

I walked into a mall and bought the latest phone.

I should've replaced it long ago. But once, on my birthday, Maisy suddenly said she'd get me a new one.

"Dad, you're embarrassing me. Why are you still using an old phone? I'll get you a smartphone next time."

I waited year after year for that "next time". I told myself she was busy, or phones were expensive.

But now, I wouldn't make excuses for anyone anymore.

It was only 800 dollars.

So, this was the price of my suffering.

…

After being away from home for days, I finally understood how comfortable life was when I didn't have to serve anyone.

I didn't have to work or wake up early to cook. I slept until I felt like getting up. Dirty clothes and messy floors were handled by housekeeping.

All I had to do was enjoy myself. I'd watch the scenery while sipping tea. Even my aching back stopped hurting.

But Lilith and Maisy couldn't sit still anymore.

When Maisy showed up, I was scrolling through short videos on my phone.

She brimmed with fury, her eyes darting like poisoned daggers across the room filled with shopping bags.

"Dad, how could you waste money like this? Why buy all this junk when you can save it for my wedding gift instead?"

I didn't miss the flash of greed in her eyes.

Maisy grabbed my arm, her chest heaving. It was clear that she was furious.

"Why live in a hotel when you have a home? Aren't you worried people will laugh at us?"

She pulled hard. I couldn't break free and had no choice but to follow her back.

As the sun dipped low, I looked at Maisy's twisted expression and suddenly remembered picking her up from school years ago.

Back then, she clung to me, and her voice was so sweet.

When the teacher in kindergarten fed her lunch, she never finished. She always saved the best bites to bring home for me.

When she was seriously ill, her vision was almost gone. Yet, she still tugged at my sleeve and whispered weakly, "Dad, if we can't afford treatment, then forget it. I don't want you to suffer."

At that moment, I broke down sobbing and swore that even if it killed me, I'd give her the best life possible.

Later, the path ahead for Maisy was indeed smooth.

She climbed higher by stepping on my shoulders. But because everything came too easily, she lost the ability to empathize.

Her values were completely warped. She became obsessed with status, driven by a volatile and superficial ambition.

In her eyes, Lilith was a refined, wealthy lady who naturally belonged with the gentle, elegant Hayden.

She had completely forgotten that without her embarrassing father, they wouldn't even qualify for a decent life.

When we got home, the first thing that hit me was the stench.

Rotting food lay piled up, trash was scattered everywhere, sticky liquid had dried onto the floor, and dirty pajamas were tossed aside.

No wonder Maisy rushed to drag me back. Without me acting as the housekeeper, everything had fallen apart.

"Sean," Lilith called out awkwardly.

Ignoring her, I went straight into the bedroom, cleared out the closet, and took my documents.

"What are you trying to do now?"

Maisy frowned and tossed me a broom. "Hurry up and clean. I'm starving."

Lilith looked as if she wanted to speak. She hovered near me, putting on a pitiful front.

"Honey, are you still angry? I know I was wrong, but you should remember the good too. Back then, I stayed with you in that old house with wind leaking in from everywhere. There wasn't even a proper bathroom. But I didn't run. I stayed with you through it all.

"Let's make up for old times' sake. I won't send him money anymore. I'll even give you my salary. Will that make you happy?"

She sobbed, her voice breaking.

I acted like I hadn't heard a word and zipped up my suitcase.

Lilith clenched her fists. The carefully chosen expression she wore finally cracked.

"Ungrateful bastard!"

She glared at me, ready to strike, when Maisy rushed in, clutching an envelope folder.

"Mom, this is bad!"

She was pale, and her body was shaking uncontrollably.

"Dad filed for divorce! He's suing you for an extramarital affair, hiding your income, and transferring marital assets! He's demanding compensation for all financial losses. That's eight million dollars in total!"