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I cry even louder, seeing Dad’s face cold as stone. “You didn’t catch me. You lied. I’m hurt,” I sob, showing him my bleeding knee.

“In life, people don’t catch you. Nobody will ever love a weak person.”

“Dad…” He walks away from me, leaving me on the ground.

He steps on my favorite pastel pencil, breaking it apart, before throwing on the ground the drawing who was in his pocket. The one I’ve made for him.

Dad, come back.

Don’t abandon me.

Love me.

I spot Dad’s luggage in the hallway of our home, while the voices keep screaming. Dad is leaving without saying goodbye.I don’t understand.

“Don’t leave us, please,” I hear Mom begging Dad. “You wouldn’t abandon your daughter.”

I hide behind the door halfway opened, taking a peek. Mom is trying to take his hand, but he pushes her away. Her eyes are wet and tears dark from the mascara that dropped on her cheeks.

“I’ve invested enough in that child. I’ll send you money.” He is walking away from Mom, before she blocks the way, tears in her eyes.

“I love you. Don’t leave. I’ll do everything you want, I’ll be better, I promise,” she pleads, crying.

“You have a month to leave the house. My lawyer will contact you.”

She falls on her knees, her head bows down before taking Dad’s hands, kissing them, wetting them with her tears. “Please, I know you love me. I need you.”

He forces Mommy to meet his eyes with his thumb. “But, I don’t.”

No.

Dad walks in my direction as Mom lies on the floor, still crying. I want to help Mommy, but I don’t.I don’t understand. When Da—Father opens the door, I swallow my tears. He doesn’t deserve this.I wish I didn’t love him.His eyes lock on mine before he leaves without a word. I want to run after him, but I can’t. My leg hurts from the fall, and I have an ugly bandage on it.

The door slams.

He’s gone.

He abandoned me.

I look over at Mommy, she’s in pain. I walk toward her as fast as I can to hug her.

I still have Mom.

“Mommy, are you okay?” She doesn’t reply for a moment, as a tighten my hug.

Then, she takes me by my shoulders, obligating me to face her. Her dark hair is falling on her face, her eyes red, she doesn’t look like Mommy anymore. “Never love a man, Elle. They’ll just break you.”

“But I loved—”

Slap.

Mom’s hand hits my cheek and it hurts, but I remain brave. “Never say that word, ever again.”

I nod, afraid to disappoint Mommy too. She pulls herself up, swallowing her tears. “There is no such thing as love. Men are bastards. Use them, manipulate them, because if you don’t they’ll destroy your pretty heart instead.” She walks away as if her heart has left her chest, leaving me alone.

I lost Mommy too.

She’s gone.