looked at her, incredulous. It seemed she had forgotten how she had thrown me out before. She thought the boy who silently endured everything was still in front of her. But in front of her now stood a man.

I didn’t speak quietly. I said it in front of everyone:

— Just because you gave birth to me doesn’t give you the right to ruin my life. I achieved everything on my own. On my own! And your favorite son has spent his whole life living off you and will continue to do so for many years. I will be fine — I will build a family, raise my children. And you will remain as pathetic as ever.