Chapter 2

After Lily finished, she turned around and hugged me with a bright smile.

"Mommy, don't be sad! I've already given daddy away to Miss Maya."

The laughter in the room died down instantly.

The parent who had just shown me the video awkwardly pulled her phone back. Her eyes darted around, pretending to be deeply interested in the ceiling pattern.

Several parents in the front row exchanged knowing, silent glances.

The teacher on stage let out a forced chuckle, quickly raising her microphone to break the ice.

"Haha, our little Lily is so sweet and generous! Alright, let's move on to the next activity. Shall we give these beautiful flowers to our mommies?"

But Lily stood her ground, clutching her sunflower stubbornly.

"I’m not lying. I really want to give my daddy to them."

I took the microphone from the teacher, knelt down, and looked Lily in the eyes.

"Lily, you did a great job. When we don't need something anymore, we should be generous and give it away."

I took her little hand, gave a polite nod to the stunned parents and teachers, and walked out.

As soon as we reached the lobby, the phone in my pocket began vibrating violently.

It was Ethan.

I picked up, and the loud roar of factory machinery filled the background.

"Hey, babe. There’s a huge issue with this batch of products at the factory. I’ve been stuck on the workshop floor. Is Lily’s show over yet?"

"I'm almost done here. I'll drive over right now and take you guys out for a big steak dinner."

His voice was as gentle and caring as always.

If I hadn’t seen that video, I probably would have spent the last six years worrying about him and telling him to stay safe.

"No need," I said.

"What’s wrong? Are you mad?"

Ethan softened his tone, sounding a bit desperate to please.

"I promise this is the last time. Once this busy season is over, I'll take time off and we'll go to Miami..."

"Ethan, check the parents' group chat."

I cut him off and hung up.

In the short time it took me to walk off the stage, some parents had already recorded Lily’s speech and posted it in the school's WhatsApp group.

Someone else had posted a candid photo taken at the mall across the street.

In the photo, Ethan was wearing a light gray casual jacket, and Maya was wearing a dress of the exact same color. They were holding hands with Leo on either side of them, looking like a perfect little family of three.

I led Lily out of the kindergarten gates.

My phone rang again.

I didn't answer. I threw it into my bag and led Lily to the car.

Our car was parked on the second basement level of the mall across the street.

We were bound to run into them anyway.