Chapter 4

I called out softly, “Emma……”

She lifted her head slowly.

Her eyes were red, tearstains still on her cheeks.

The moment she saw me.

She froze for a second or two, then burst out crying.

“Mommy……”

“Why did you take so long to come home……”

She threw herself into my arms, her little hands clutching my clothes.

Her whole body was shaking.

I held her tight.

“I'm sorry. Mommy will never leave you behind again.”

Her face pressed against my neck.

Tears ran down under my collar.

That cold piece of bread on the coffee table, with a few bites taken out of it.

I looked at it for a long time, and it hurt.

Emma's voice was badly hoarse.

“Mommy, I'm hungry.”

“The fridge was too high. This was all I could find.”

I picked her up and carried her to the kitchen.

I opened the fridge.

Inside there were only a few eggs and a limp bunch of greens.

This was what they'd left for Emma.

An eight-year-old girl, alone in an empty house.

I made her a bowl of noodles in hot broth.

Emma held the bowl and ate in small bites.

So obedient it broke my heart.

I sat beside her and asked, “Emma, if Mommy took you to Grandma's……”

Before I could finish, she wiped her eyes and asked.

“Mommy, when are we going?”

I told her that if we went this time, she might never see Daddy again.

She shook her head and told me it didn't matter.

And said Grandma and Grandpa were her favorites.

I hadn't expected her answer to be so firm, so decided.

I'd never imagined that in her eyes.

That so-called father was really this worthless.

After dinner, I took my daughter back to my parents' house.

On the way, my phone buzzed without stopping.

I hung up every call from Murray's family.

The moment I silenced it, the screen lit up again.

In the family group chat, Murray's older sister had posted something.

【This one's really something. Ask her to watch a kid and she falls apart.】

She'd added a hand-over-mouth laughing emoji.

Murray's younger sister jumped in right after.

【Right? So petty.】

【Just because she's got a fancy degree.】

Other relatives popped up one by one, asking what happened.

The younger sister started laying it on thick.

She told the whole day's story from start to finish.

In her version, I was a selfish, dramatic, wicked wife.

The chat blew up.

All the aunts and cousins piling on, one after another.

【That daughter-in-law's a real piece of work.】

【Her elders ask her to watch one kid and she gives them attitude.】

【Murray marrying her is the worst luck eight generations could bring.】

I left the group chat, out of sight, out of mind.

When we reached my parents' door.

Mom and Dad were already waiting outside.

“Emma, Grandma missed you so much!”

My mom swept Emma up into her arms.

My dad stood beside her and said with a smile, “Come inside, quick, the food's getting cold.”

Inside, the table was covered with dishes.

All of them things Emma and I loved.

At the table, my dad hesitated for a long time.

“Sweetheart, are you and Murray having a spat?”

I didn't go into detail.

“Yeah, we had a bit of a falling-out.”

“You two don't need to worry.”

My mom patted my hand. “If you don't want to talk about it, then don't. Eat first.”

After dinner, I went to clean up the room.

I pushed the door open and found it spotless.

The sheets were freshly changed, and the quilt smelled of sunshine.

There was even a bunch of gardenias in a vase on the nightstand.

I turned to look at my mother.

She leaned against the doorframe and said with a smile.

“This time you're home, stay as long as you want.”

My nose stung all at once.

I turned away and pretended to straighten the bed.

In the living room, my dad was playing with blocks with Emma.

The two of them laughing together, drifting in wave after wave, so warm to hear.

It wasn't until Emma got sleepy that I carried her back to bed.

But late in the night.

The gate outside the yard was suddenly pounded on.

I jolted awake.

Emma rolled over, and I tucked the quilt back around her.

I pulled on a jacket and went out.

My mom was already up, her face pale.

“Who is it, this late?”

“Mom, go back inside. I'll get it.”

The moment I pulled the gate open.

A pair of hands seized my shoulders hard.

It was Murray!

He reeked of alcohol, his eyes bloodshot.

His voice was urgent and hoarse.

“Nat, I heard our place is getting a property settlement?”

“Is it true?!”