"Emma! Have I been too lenient with you? Is that why you think you can talk to me like this?" He pushed back his chair and marched over to me, grabbing my wrist in a bruising grip.
"You throw around threats of leaving like they mean nothing. You really think I'll just let you go?"
Of course he would. Why wouldn't he? He never loved me. Not really. The only reason he kept me around was because of Theo. He wanted his son to believe he still had a mother figure.
I stayed calm, looked him dead in the eye. "Then maybe you should just ask Theo if he even wants me around. Ask him if he cares whether I stay."
Right on cue, Theo's voice cut through the room, dripping with disdain.
"Dad, I've been wanting her to leave for years. I hate her. I like Selena better."
Selena hurriedly covered his mouth.
"Theo, honey, you can't say things like that, it'll hurt your aunt."
"She's not my aunt anymore! I don't want a fake mom!" Theo shouted, glaring at me with hatred.
I shrugged at Caleb and said dryly, "There, you heard him. He doesn't want me around. Can I finally leave now?"
Caleb's brows furrowed. He turned to Selena.
"Selena, take Theo to the kitchen for cake."