Before I could speak, Jacob laughed again, louder this time. “Look at you, about to cry. What a joke. You’ll always be a loser.” His words were like ice, freezing me in place.I didn’t respond, not directly to him. Instead, I looked at my mother, hoping for some semblance of support. But she just stood there, her eyes averted, complicit in her silence. It was clear where her loyalties lay, and it wasn’t with me.

Feeling the weight of their judgment, I made a decision. If they didn’t want me there, I’d respect that. I turned on my heel and walked away, leaving the dollhouse and gifts on the porch. As I reached my car, I heard the door close behind me, echoing more finality than any words could.