Nathan looked around at the carved turkey, the full wine glasses, and the occupied chairs filled with people who had spent years treating me like a servant who happened to share their name.

“No,” he replied. “This is a performance. And she’s done playing her role.”

My father clenched his jaw. “Nathan, let’s speak like adults. It isn’t wise to mix personal matters with business.”

That was when I understood everything. It didn’t hurt him to see me leave. It hurt him to see me leave with Nathan.

I slowly untied the apron and placed it on the counter.

My mother grabbed my arm. “If you walk out that door, don’t come back expecting us to beg you.”