David paused for a moment as if taken aback. "Why are you crying? Freya has been through so much, and she hasn't complained. But here you are, crying like it's the end of the world. Fine, I won't hold it against your mom. Will that be enough for you?"
I was astounded by his self-righteous attitude.
Who does he think he was? Does he really expect me to be grateful? Wiping my tears with a trembling hand, I fixed him with a cold stare. "My mom didn't do anything wrong. She doesn't need your forgiveness. From today on, you and I are two separate people, and my mom's issues are none of your business."
After all these years, it struck me as astonishing that I was finally laying down the law.
David's expression darkened ominously. After a long silence, he scoffed. "Ada, maybe I've been too generous with you. I'm off to be with Freya. You stay home and think about your choices for a few days."
With that, he stood up sharply and slammed the door behind him.
I returned to my room, grabbing the neatly packed suitcase that had been ready for days. I placed the divorce papers on the table, then walked out without looking back.
I couldn't deny that I shared some of the blame for the mess between David and me.
I shouldn't have coveted something that wasn't mine to begin with.
David's father, Ryan Federer, was a college buddy of my father, Vincent. After graduation, Ryan started his own business and made quite a name for himself, while Vincent took a government job.
Things took a dark turn when Ryan's company was targeted for a hostile takeover.
In an attempt to retaliate, someone hired a hitman, and Vincent was stabbed multiple times while trying to save Ryan.
He didn't survive, leaving behind a young me and my mother, Fiona.
Ryan felt guilty for what happened and took it upon himself to look after us. But as I grew up, my introverted nature made me a target for bullying at school. So, Ryan decided to enroll me in the same school as David, hoping he would keep an eye on me. David was a year older, handsome, wealthy, and a top student—he was the king of the school.
With his support, life got a lot easier for me.
When I tripped during gym class, he rushed to carry me to the nurse's office and personally applied ointment to my scrapes. Whenever I struggled with math, he patiently went over problems with me after school, never losing his cool.