Too Late to Apologize, The Lost Heiress is Leaving You Behind

On my birthday, I waited from two in the afternoon until two in the morning. My husband and my parents, who had promised to be there, never showed up.

It wasn't until twothirty in the morning that the family SnapChat group finally buzzed. First was a message from my husband, Ethan: [I spent the day out with Lily.

Let’s just move your birthday celebration to today and do it with her.] Then my mom chimed in, complaining right below his message: [Don't you always celebrate your birthdays together anyway?

Why did you insist on having a separate one this year? Stop making a scene.] Finally, Lily posted a group photo to seal the deal.

Ethan had his arm wrapped tightly around her waist, and my parents were standing right behind her. The four of them were beaming at the camera.

A group chat of five people, but a photo of only four. I let out a bitter laugh. I wasn't even disappointed anymore.

It had taken me eight years to realize one simple truth: In this family, the one who isn't loved is the real outsider. I placed the signed divorce papers on the kitchen island.

Taking one last look at this cold, lifeless mansion, I grabbed my suitcase and walked out the door. I didn't want their love anymore. Not Ethan's, and not my parents'. I was done.

By the time I reached the airport, it was already four in the morning. Unfortunately, a sudden thunderstorm hit, delaying my flight until late evening.

I sighed and pulled out my phone to find a nearby hotel to rest. Just then, my phone rang. It was Ethan. "Where the hell are you? You’re not home this early in the morning.

Get back here right now!" "Today is Lily’s birthday, and she said she wants to eat your homemade lasagna." I ignored his demands. "I'm not coming back, Ethan.

Didn't you see the agreement I left on the table?" Silence hung on the other end of the line for a few seconds. Then, Ethan’s irritated voice came through: "Oh, that?

I used those papers to catch the grease from our pizza box last night.

They were covered in grease, so I threw them in the trash." "Since you're already out, just print another copy and bring it back. Oh, and buy some groceries on your way.

Aren't you supposed to celebrate your birthday today too?

Make a nice dinner, and we can all have a good time." Before I could say no, Lily’s sweet, whiny voice echoed in the background. "Ethan, it’s my birthday!

Can you come help me choose which dress to wear?" The call disconnected just like that. The corners of my mouth twitched, but I couldn't bring myself to smile.

Thinking about those unsigned divorce papers, I realized I didn't want to drag this out with Ethan anymore.

Going back to settle things facetoface with Ethan and my parents was probably for the best. After eight years, we owed each other nothing.

The moment I walked through the front door, I saw my mom instructing the maids to tear down my birthday decorations from yesterday. When she noticed me, her face instantly soured.

She turned to complain: "Look at you, insisting on having a separate birthday. What a waste of effort!" "You decorated the entire yard in blue. Don’t you know Lily hates blue?

I had to wake up early just to make sure the maids cleared it all out.

Your birthdays are only one day apart, why can't you just share?" My dad, who was reading the newspaper on the couch, rolled his eyes and finally cut my mom off. "Alright, that’s enough." He looked at me. "Since you're back, go to the kitchen and start cooking.

Because you weren't home, Lily had to eat greasy takeout last night." I didn't say a word. I had absolutely no intention of acting like their maid anymore.

Clutching the newly printed divorce papers in my bag, I walked straight upstairs to find Ethan. As I passed Lily’s room, I saw Ethan inside, just as I expected.

He was leaning against her vanity, watching her try on outfit after outfit with a tender, doting look in his eyes.

He would even offer serious advice: "This one looks much better than the last, but your neck looks a bit bare." "Let me think...

It would go perfectly with that diamond necklace I bought you last month." I stood there, watching them.

I felt like a stray dog looking through a window, staring at someone else's warm home. Ethan had never looked at me like that.

No matter how eagerly I used to ask for his opinion on my clothes, he would never even look up. He would just say, "I'm a guy, I don't know anything about fashion.

Wear whatever." It was like that when we were dating, when we got engaged, and even after we got married. Maybe I had been standing at the door for too long.

Lily, who was chatting happily, finally spotted me. She waved with a bright smile. "Sera! You're back!"

I gave a curt nod. Then, I turned my gaze directly to Ethan. "Come to the study.

We need to talk." Seeing my cold expression, the smile on Ethan's face instantly vanished, replaced by deep annoyance. "Let's do it another day.

Today is Lily’s birthday, and I don’t have time to argue with you." "If you're really that bored, go cook in the kitchen. It’s almost lunchtime.

Even if you're not hungry, Lily is." I let out a dry laugh. The sheer absurdity of it all was mindblowing. "Does this house not have maids?

Why does everyone have to wait for me to cook?" "I’m tired.

I'm not doing it." With that, I pulled the divorce papers from my bag and handed them to Ethan. "I came back today to get a divorce.

Sign this, and we're done." A flash of surprise crossed Ethan's face. He stared at the document in my hand but didn't reach for it. Instead, he slapped the papers out of my hand.

He glared at me, furious. "Sera, are you seriously doing this again?" "You walk in the door with a long face, acting like a victim. So what if we didn't make it back yesterday?

You have a birthday every year. We can just throw you a separate one next year. Threatening me with divorce? Who are you trying to scare?" I didn't get angry.

I calmly knelt down, picked up the papers, and brushed off the dust. Then, I looked up at him. "I'm not playing games, Ethan.

I just realize our marriage is completely pointless." "Divorce is a release for both of us." Downstairs, my parents heard our raised voices and hurried up the steps.

Before they could ask what was happening, Lily suddenly grabbed my hand and began to sob. "Please don't fight! It's all my fault." "I'm so sorry, Sera.

I shouldn't have been so greedy and said I wanted your lasagna. And yesterday, going to the beach was just a sudden idea of mine...

I forgot to text you, and I made you wait all day. But why do you have to get a divorce over something so small?" Hearing this, my parents' faces turned pale with anger.

They immediately started pointing fingers and yelling at me. "I knew it!" my mom snapped. "You ignored me downstairs because you were still holding a grudge about yesterday.

We are literally celebrating your birthday today too! What more do you want?" My dad chimed in. "Fine, we’ll just let the maids cook lunch today.

You really can’t handle even a little bit of compromise, can you?" Even Ethan, who had been furious with me a second ago, softened the moment he saw Lily’s tears.

He completely forgot about the divorce papers and began to comfort her gently. "Don't cry, Lily. It’s your birthday today. You’ll ruin your makeup." "Sera just has a bad temper.

Ignore her. She would never actually leave me." With that, Ethan wrapped his arm around Lily and led her downstairs.

My parents followed closely, taking turns comforting her while she continued to sniffle. I was ignored. Again.

Standing there with the divorce papers in my hand, I felt like an absolute joke. I lowered my head, fighting back the burning tears in my eyes.

I decided I would just file for a contested divorce through a lawyer. But as I reached the front door, Ethan blocked my path.

Seeing my red, watery eyes, Ethan’s gaze flickered with a brief moment of guilt, but his voice remained harsh. "You can't leave! Lily won't stop crying.

She thinks she’s the reason we're fighting. Go back to the dining room and eat. Explain to her that it's not her fault.

It’s her birthday, after all." "I don't want her to be miserable today." I snapped my head up. The tears finally spilled over.

I looked at Ethan with absolute despair and screamed, "What about me?!" "You don't want Lily to be unhappy on her birthday. But what about me?

I was stood up by my own husband and parents on my birthday! Did you ever stop to think about how I felt?" Ethan fell dead silent. He couldn't find a single word to answer me.

I quickly wiped my tears, refusing to waste any more energy arguing. I pushed past him and kept walking. Behind me, Ethan's voice softened in defeat. "Fine! I was wrong.

I apologize, okay?" I didn't stop. Then, Ethan shouted, "Sera, stop!" "If you go in there and explain things to Lily, I will sign the divorce papers."

I stopped. I followed Ethan back to the dining room and sat down at the table. Lily was still quietly crying.

I looked at her, softening my voice to play along one last time. "Lily, stop crying." "It has nothing to do with you. I'm not mad. Happy birthday." Only then did she stop sobbing.

She looked at me with watery, innocent eyes. "Really?" "Sera, I really want your homemade lasagna.

The maids' cooking just doesn't taste like yours." I nodded, just wanting to get this over with. "Sure.

I'll make it for you after lunch." A bright smile instantly broke across Lily's face. The moment she smiled, the heavy tension at the table vanished.

My parents and Ethan immediately started chatting happily about her birthday party plans.

Lily listened, her eyes curving with joy, but she barely touched her food, just playing with her fork. Ethan quickly noticed.

He chingestured toward me. "Are you done eating?" "Lily has no appetite.

If you're full, go start on the lasagna." I looked at my plate, which I had barely touched, and said flatly, "No." "Even a paid maid gets to finish her lunch before she goes to work." Ethan choked on his words.

But my mom couldn't sit still.

Regardless of whether I was full, she snatched my plate away and dragged me toward the kitchen. "How can you even think about eating right now?" "Your sister is starving.

Go prep the food first.

You can finish eating when you're done." Lily made a halfhearted attempt to object. "Mom, don't..." But my dad stopped her. "Just let your mother handle it." "Sera was supposed to cook today anyway.

If we keep spoiling her, her attitude is going to get out of hand!" So, Lily let the matter drop and went back to laughing and talking with my parents and Ethan.

Standing in the hot, smoky kitchen, listening to the bursts of laughter coming from the dining room, I suddenly missed the simple food my foster mother, Margaret, used to make.

It was always just simple buttered noodles, but whenever she made it, she would secretly hide a perfectly fried egg at the bottom of the bowl just for me. It was always so warm.

The kitchen timer buzzed, snapping me back to reality.

I added a pinch of salt to the sauce and pulled out my phone to send Ethan a Snapchat message: [The divorce papers are on the counter.

Sign them now.] [Once the lasagna is done, I’m leaving.] Ethan glanced at his phone. The warm smile on his face instantly hardened. He didn't reply.

He just turned back to Lily and said something, making her laugh even louder. "Beep, beep, beep." The lasagna was ready.

I put on the oven mitts and prepared to carry the hot dish to the dining room.

Suddenly, Lily ran into the kitchen, looking eager. "Sera, you worked so hard making this." "Let me help with this part.

Give it to me, I'll carry it to the table." I frowned instinctively and turned my body to shield the hot dish.

Over the past eight years, whenever she got too close to me, trouble always followed. "No need. It's boiling hot, and you don't have mitts on.

I'll do it." Lily stepped closer, insisting, "Oh, come on, Sera! Don't be like that. I'm not afraid of the heat.

Give it to me!" Seeing me back away even further, Lily finally dropped her sweet act.

Her face contorted with anger, and she screamed toward the doorway behind me: "I said, give it to me!" "Crash!" The heavy ceramic dish shattered on the tile floor.

The boiling hot sauce and cheese splashed all over my bare calves. The pain was so intense that my face went completely white. I could barely stand, let alone scream.

But before I could even process the pain, Lily had already thrown herself onto the shattered ceramic pieces. She wailed hysterically, "Sera, why did you burn me?!"

My parents rushed in at the sound of the crash.

The first thing they saw was Lily kneeling in the sharp shards, her legs bleeding and covered in burns. "Slap!" My mom’s hand whipped across my face.

Her long nails scratched my cheek, leaving a stinging, burning trail. She pointed a finger at me, screaming: "Sera, are you insane?!" "Lily just wanted some of your cooking!

Even if you didn't want to make it, did you have to hurt her like this? She is your sister!

How can you be so cruel?!" My dad’s face was dark with rage, his voice booming through the kitchen. "I regret ever bringing you back from that middleofnowhere town!" "Why didn't you just stay there?

You only came back to ruin Lily's life!" Ethan arrived at the door and took in the scene. He didn't ask if I was hurt. He didn't even look at my blistered, bright red leg.

Instead, he grabbed the divorce papers from the kitchen counter, aggressively scribbled his signature on them, and threw them violently at my chest. "You want a divorce?" "Fine!

We're divorced! Get the hell out of this house! I never want to see your face again!" I opened my mouth. I wanted to tell them so many things.

I wanted to say that Lily threw herself down. I wanted to say she was the one who grabbed the hot dish and dropped it. I wanted to say that my leg was burned, too.

That it hurt so badly. But they didn't give me the chance. Ethan scooped Lily up in his arms and ran out.

My parents followed anxiously, murmuring comforts like, "It's okay, sweetheart, we're going to the hospital right now." Once again, I was left behind.

I looked down at my swollen, blistered leg, and then touched my throbbing, swollen cheek. The pain was excruciating, but I couldn't cry. I just felt numb.

Grabbing the kitchen doorframe, I forced myself to stand up. I stuffed the signed divorce papers into my bag and limped out of the house. I didn't even have the energy to look back.

All I felt was a profound sense of relief. Fortunately, the airport had a firstaid station where they bandaged my leg.

I sat in the terminal lounge, closing my eyes, waiting for my gate to open. Meanwhile, back at the mansion, Ethan and Lily had returned.

Seeing the maids cleaning up the kitchen, Ethan asked with a dark expression, "Where is Sera?" "She causes a scene and just runs away?

Tell her to get out here and apologize!" The maid froze, then replied quietly, "Mrs. Vance left a while ago." "We don't know where she went.

We offered to help dress her wounds, but she ignored us." Hearing this, Ethan’s eyes darkened, a strange emotion passing through them.

Just then, Lily let out a soft groan of pain from the couch. My mom quickly said, "Ethan, forget about that ungrateful girl!" "She does nothing but bully Lily.

Today is Lily’s birthday, after all. Who cares if she ran off?

It’s not like she won’t crawl back eventually." Ethan was holding a tube of burn cream he had specifically bought an extra copy of.

His expression was tense. "I saw her leg got burned too. No matter what, she needs to treat it." My dad snorted. "She probably went to a clinic herself.

She’s just too ashamed to face us after what she did.

Text her later and tell her to come home and apologize to Lily." Ethan muttered an agreement, but he couldn't shake his uneasiness.

Lily tugged on his arm. "Don't be sad, Ethan." "It's already dark.

Since I'm hurt, let’s just blow out the candles and cut the cake early." Only then did a smile return to Ethan's face. The mansion filled with laughter once again.

They gathered around Lily, presenting the lavish gifts they had carefully prepared for her.

Though they claimed to "share" the celebration, Lily was always the only one who got to wear the birthday hat and blow out the candles. But I didn't care anymore.

The flight attendants were kind enough to bring me a wheelchair, making the boarding process much easier. As I approached the boarding gate, my phone buzzed.

It was two notifications from the family SnapChat group. Ethan had sent two messages: [Where are you? Get back here right now.] [Lily is about to cut the cake.

We bought one for you too this year.] I stared at the screen and let out a quiet, empty laugh. I didn't even bother to reply.

I tapped the screen and promptly left the SnapChat group. Then, I blocked every single one of them—Ethan, my parents, and Lily. Almost instantly, Ethan tried to call my cell.

As soon as I answered, his usual impatient voice filled the line. "Sera, what is the meaning of this? Why did you leave the group chat?

And why did you block us?" "Lily already said she doesn't hold a grudge. Just get back here.

It’s late, and you’re out there—" I cut him off, my voice entirely flat. "I'm not coming back, Ethan." "We're divorced.

You signed the papers yourself." The line went quiet for a second.

Then, Ethan screamed into the receiver: "What do you mean you're not coming back?!" "Let me tell you, Sera, stop throwing these childish tantrums—" Before he could finish, a flight attendant gently leaned down next to me. "Ma'am, the plane is about to take off.

Please switch your phone to airplane mode." "Thank you, I will," I replied. Through the speaker, Ethan’s voice suddenly turned panicked. "Take off?

Sera, where are you going?!" "Answer me, Sera!" "Beep." I didn't say another word. I hung up and powered off the phone. Whether they loved me or not, I didn't care anymore.