Chapter 3

After a miserable shift, I headed home covered in coffee stains.

The moment Lily saw my disheveled state, her eyes welled up.

"Mommy, what happened to you?"

I forced a faint smile, swallowing the bitterness.

"Mommy was just clumsy and bumped into someone," I lied gently.

Her worried little face softened slightly.

"Mommy," Lily tugged on my hand, "can we skip selling bracelets tonight?"

"What if... what if Daddy brings my gift home today?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but the lock turned. Julian had arrived.

Lily's eyes lit up with fierce anticipation, her tiny hand sweating in mine.

A second later, we both froze.

Julian's hands were empty.

My heart plummeted. I looked at Lily.

Disappointment flickered across her face, but she didn't break down like last time.

Tears burned behind my eyes. Just as I was about to confront him, Julian pulled me into the bedroom.

"Are you okay? I saw the coffee spill on you earlier."

He pulled out the first-aid kit, reaching out to check my burn.

I shoved his hands away.

"Where is the dress?" I demanded coldly.

Julian paused. "What dress?"

Fury surged through me, my voice rising:

"The princess dress Lily asked for! I saw you buy it for someone else's daughter today!"

Julian's eyes darted away. He rubbed his temples and muttered in a low voice:

"That one wasn't right for her. I'll buy one another day."

"Another day."

Swallowing my burning rage, I turned and walked into the bathroom.

To save on the water bill, I took a quick three-minute rinse.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed with a friend request on SnapChat.

I stared at it for two seconds, a gut feeling telling me who it was. I hit accept.

It was Evelyn.

She immediately sent a photo along with a message:

"Thank you to the most thoughtful man in the world. Bella and I love all the gifts."

The picture showed the princess dress, surrounded by designer jewelry and luxury bags.

My mind went blank. I stared up at our shabby bathroom shelf.

Discount shampoo from the dollar store, a worn-down sliver of bar soap, and Lily's cheap hair ties.

Grief crashed over me like a tidal wave. My legs gave out, and I slid down the cold tiles, weeping in silence.

After a while, Julian knocked on the door.

"Natalie, why are you taking so long?"

When I didn't answer, he pushed the door open. I walked past him without a word.

Seeing my swollen, red eyes, Julian's face darkened, and he let out an irritated sigh.

"I'll buy it tomorrow! It's just a damn dress!"

"Just a dress?"

I let out a bitter, silent scoff and said nothing.

At dinner, the tension was suffocating.

Julian glanced at me, then at Lily, who remained quiet.

He paused, then placed Lily's favorite chicken wing onto her plate.

Lily's eyes instantly sparkled, her expression full of stunned gratitude.

A pang of agony struck my heart. A child starved of love treats the barest crumb of affection like a miracle.

That small gesture gave Lily courage. She looked at Julian timidly and whispered:

"Daddy, tomorrow is the school field day. The teacher said fathers need to do the two-person soccer race. Can you come?"

Julian froze. Seeing how cautious she was, he suddenly thought of Bella's bright, confident smile.

An uncomfortable feeling gnawed at him. Why was his own daughter always so timid?

Clearing his throat, Julian patted Lily's shoulder.

"Daddy will be there."

Lily was overjoyed. She dragged me out to buy sneakers.

When I reached for my wallet, she proudly pulled out her own little coin purse.

Every cent in it came from braiding bracelets at night. She had saved for six months, yet spent it all without hesitation.

That night, she held her new sneakers tightly against her chest, refusing to let go until exhaustion claimed her, falling asleep with a sweet smile.