Chapter 3

While I was busy with work, I neglected Delia when she started first grade.

Naturally, all the pick-ups and drop-offs fell to John, who had a more relaxed work schedule.

He went from initially resisting to eventually taking full charge of Delia's after-school life.

He often played with Delia and Melody together, basically handling everything without needing my input.

However, when she entered third grade, the child developed her own thoughts and became increasingly quiet.

At first, I didn't pay much attention, assuming my husband could handle it well.

But later, when I noticed Delia becoming less and less willing to talk and communicate with me, I realized the severity of the problem.

So I began to reflect on myself, wondering if I had been showing too little care for Delia.

On the weekend, I firmly declined overtime work at the company and took Delia to an amusement park.

She had a great time that day, and even though she still didn't talk much, there were more smiles on her face.

I treated her to ice cream, fried chicken, burgers, and soda - all things I usually don't let her have.

Just as we were getting ready to go home, Delia suddenly said something out of the blue.

"Mom, does Dad like pretty little kids?"I thought she had seen some nonsensical statement on some website. I crouched down to her level and told her very seriously:

"How could that be? Delia is Daddy's child. Daddy definitely loves Delia the most."

But seeing my daughter with her head lowered, refusing to say more, I instantly felt something wasn't quite right about this situation.

Even if Delia had said those words, I never doubted John.

Until we were about to head home, we encountered three people coming out of the amusement park. I stood rooted to the spot, holding Delia's hand.

John, with a face full of smiles, was holding hands with a bouncing Melody. Behind them, Melody's mom gazed adoringly at the pair in front.

The perfect picture of a happy family of three!

When I saw John, who was supposed to be working overtime, appear here, I understood everything.

Even at this moment, I still wanted to give John a chance to explain.

I covered Delia's eyes and walked away aimlessly.

I didn't know if Delia had seen them. I didn't want anything inappropriate to leave a mark on her young and innocent mind.I brought her home, and after dinner she quietly retreated to her room.

That's when I knew it was time to have a serious talk with John.

I waited for him until midnight when he finally stumbled in, drunk.

He was surprised to see me sitting on the edge of the bed waiting for him. "Why aren't you asleep yet?"

"Where were you today?" I asked coldly.

Hearing my tone, John immediately became agitated.

"Are you following me?"

I laughed outright. "John, if you were really working overtime, would you be afraid of someone following you?"

"You're quite something, aren't you? Going so far as to look after your daughter's dance teacher? Do you even realize that Delia is your actual daughter?"

To keep our daughter from overhearing, even though I was furious enough to strangle him, I had to keep my voice low.