I kicked the gift bags at my feet, turned, and grabbed my suitcase from the car.
Tyler saw my angry departure and shouted after me. “Get back here!”
He started to chase me, but Rachel stepped out of the house and grabbed his arm.
“It’s late,” she said with a scoff. “Let her go. Let’s see how far she gets.
“You’ve got to be tough with women like her. Otherwise, they never learn. Has she ever succeeded in her tantrums before? No?
“Then don’t bother with her now. Let’s go back and finish dinner.”
She pulled Tyler back toward the dining table, though he kept glancing nervously at the darkening sky. After a few moments, he finally shook her off.
“No, I have to check on her,” he muttered, storming out despite Rachel’s protests.
Finally, Tyler caught up to me at the edge of the village.
“Sarah, what the hell are you doing? All this because you weren’t called to dinner? You’ve yelled and caused a scene. Isn’t that enough?”
I ignored him, shaking off his hand as I continued walking
Tyler grabbed my suitcase, refusing to let go.
“Stop being so petty. Mindy is Mom’s new goddaughter, and she just had a baby. Of course, she needs a little extra attention. Can’t you let it go?”
His words made me pause. I turned to look at him.
He pressed on. “Look. Just go back, apologize to Mindy and Mom, and I promise this whole thing will blow over, alright?”
I stared at his face. He genuinely believed he had done nothing wrong; that his family had done nothing wrong.
“Tyler, even now, you think this is all my fault?”
He didn’t respond, but the tightening of his hands on my suitcase told me everything.
“I’ll let you know when the divorce hearing is scheduled,” said firmly. “Now let go!”
I yanked the suitcase free from his grasp, turning and never looking back.
Tyler’s initial calm facade shattered as his temper flared.
“Fine! Go! Let’s see where you end up, walking around in the middle of the night. Maybe a wolf will eat you!
“You want a divorce? Fine! Let’s finalize it as soon as we get back!”
However, I didn’t respond. I just kept moving, the chilly night air biting at my fi
face.
T
