**Diary Entry**
Mum was screaming, Youve betrayed me! while Dad vanished without a word.
Olivia was fast asleep when the phone shattered the quiet of the night. She fumbled for the receiver, her heart pounding.
Olivia! Her mothers voice trembled with desperation. Come over! Now!
Mum, whats happened? She jolted awake, trying to steady herself. Another row with Dad? Youve spent your whole lives at each others throatssort it out yourselves!
Theres no one left to row with! Mums voice cracked. Your fathers gone!
Mum is Dad dead? Olivia froze, ice flooding her veins.
Just come and see for yourself! Mum snapped. This isnt a phone conversation!
See what? She nearly shouted in confusion.
Just come! The line went dead.
Shaking, Olivia threw on her clothes and raced to the family home in a quiet Surrey suburb, dreading what awaited her.
Olivia! Get in here! Mums voice rang like a funeral bell.
What now? She rubbed her bleary eyes.
What now? Im falling apart, and she asks what now! Mum was near tears.
Mum, its seven on a Saturday, Olivia tried to reason, though unease twisted inside her. Ive got my own lifekids, my husband. Explain properly or Im not coming.
You wont come? Mum gasped. I mean nothing to you! You dont care about my pain!
Mum, you and Dad have bickered for decades, Olivia cut in. Im sick of playing referee.
Your fathers left! Mum shrieked before slamming the phone down.
Whats all this? grumbled her husband, James, rolling over in bed.
Something serious, apparently. Her voice was hollow. I have to go.
Theyre impossible! James groaned. Does your mother forget youve got your own family?
James, not this again. We dont choose our parents, she sighed. Ive got to go. Sorryyoull have to handle the kids.
Like I havent before, he muttered. Tell your mum: if she calls like this again, Im filing for divorce.
Olivia raised an eyebrow. Seriously?
Course not. He gave a tight smile. But maybe itll scare her straight.
It wont, she said, gathering her things.
The family home had always been a battleground. Mum, Margaret, screeched like a banshee, while Dad, Richard, stayed silent, lips pressed into a thin line. Outwardly, he ignored her rantsbut Olivia knew he was seething inside.
The rows started when she was a teen. At first, occasional; then daily. Mums shrill voice carried through the neighbourhood. Even the old men on the park bench would mutter, How does he live with that? Poor bloke.
No one asked how Olivia survived it. From the outside, they seemed perfectDad ran a lab at the university, earned well; Mum stayed home, looking after the house and Olivia. Though looking after was generous. Margaret ruled everything: her husband, Olivia, even the cleaner Dad hired to ease her load. A pointless effort.
The fights grew uglier, more public. Olivia became just another piece of furnitureher feelings didnt matter. She dreamed of escape. And she did. She left for university in London, rarely visiting. But every return was poisoned by their shouting.
Once, Dad finally snapped: What do you want, Margaret? The moon? Mum, stunned hed spoken back, laughedthen fell silent. Briefly.
At Olivias wedding, Mum outdid herself. She nitpicked everything, and when the toast was offered to Richard, she leapt up: Ill do it! You cant trust him with anything important! Guests exchanged glances; Olivia burned with shame.
After the wedding, Dad secretly bought her a flat in London, warning her not to tell Mum. She kept the secret, only sharing it with James. Bloody hell, hed said. Hope we never have secrets like that. Never, she smiled. I take after DadI hate conflict.
The memories flooded her during the drive. She expected the usual complaints, Dads weary eyes. But reality was worse.
Mum wrenched the door open, wailing: I gave him everythingmy youth, my life! And this is how he repays me!
Mum, wheres Dad? Olivia gripped her shoulders.
He left last night! Mum sobbed.
Left? The floor seemed to tilt.
Gone! Packed his things and disappeared!
Have you called him?
Of course! He wont answer! You tryhell talk to you!
Olivia dialled. Dad picked up instantly, eerily calm. I know why youre calling. Ive earned my peace. Im staying with a mate. If you need me, Im here. For you.
Dad, where are you? She felt Mums glare.
The countryside. For now. Well see. Alright?
Alright, she whispered.
What did you promise him? Mum shrieked. That traitor!
Mum, enough! Dads not a traitor. Hes tired of the drama.
Is that what he said?
No, thats me. Hes at a friends. Hell come back.
He never did. Mum tracked down the address, pounded on the door, screamed. No answer. She called endlesslysilence. She accused him of an affair. Finding no proof, her rage grew: How dare he leave me without reason? Am I nothing?
Finally, Olivia snapped: Mum, he doesnt want forgiveness. Hes not divorcing you, still gives you his salary, blames you for nothing. He just wants peace. Hes had enough.
Hes had enough? Mum screeched. Im the one whos endured everything! She collapsed then, as if the truth had stabbed her clean through.
**Lesson learned:** Some wounds never heal. And sometimes, silence is the loudest goodbye.
