Hearing My Daughter's Heart

rthday party, I unexpectedly ga

dles, "I hope I can get a

being sensible, her second wis

. I wish Kylie could

lding the c

ed, looking at Cathy's innocent face, unw

t the cake, give me the c

g and couldn't hide

tience in

in her mind again, "My mom is so stupid! Kylie is mu

clearly that Cathy'

at I had awakened the

have been a

thy's tenth birthday p

a hotel and paid people to decorate it

cess dress and a crown, lookin

I was feeling proud of myself, Cathy's thoughts were l

, that is, my husband,

been cheating f

Cathy be so close to

e wanted Kylie t

m I carried for ten mon

, she should b

hat she loved Tobias and that homew

o

art that no matter what,

help but look at everyone who

d her friends were pla

lass, chatting and laughing

from the company, from the general manager down to

alesperson, and over the years, his performance had been far ahead of others. So, whether out of

he world o

ng Tobias, didn't

belonged to

n in just a few years not because of his own ability, but

content to be a housewife, but that didn'

gaze stoppe

ders, a crown-shaped hairpin tucked into her dark locks, standing out strikingly. Paired

birth to my daughter, I might have mi

y here! I thought you

he girl, she rushed out of the play area and threw herself i

own to ruffle my daughter's hair before pulling a

ed with joy. "Th

at me, her smile

liar, like I had seen

d for the first time in ages

t two years, he had co

ong since become d

oney, it's not that I don't want to come home. The company's just too busy. I

for his sweet-t

as Tobias still cared about our famil

started first grade. I was consumed with helping

focus wa

hone pinged with a voice message on WhatsApp. "Tobias

e sent shivers

th an explanation, "Honey, don't get the wrong i

rking with you, Tobias?

doesn't know much yet." Tobias probably didn't notice, but wh

unwrapping her gifts, and asked again. "Cathy, have

a sly wink at the rearview mirror. "Mom, today was the f

but I'm not that stupid. Kylie is my good friend! Dad had told me

e away from my d

d me. When had sh

ing together small deta

anges hadn't com

as had bought he

from me to call o

eone wasn't To

et to the bot

Kylie, I wouldn't let eit

the routine of helping my

ut her mind was fu

and I still made her do homework. She hated it. She was alre

third grade, I had become stricter with

why she no lo

I handed Cathy's h

w on, I'll leave her homework to you. I'm su

with excitement. "Yay! I want

with work. I might not even get home some nights.

's company too. I've been handling her studies for the past two years, and if I keep doing it, s

stion. "Dad, Dad, I want Kylie

greed reluctantly, saying he'

rents' place tomorrow. Cathy can go to the office with you. In the even

r finished washing up

sing and turning,

ened that day sent c

at the party, and the strange looks from To

definitel

clear, but I cou

ould do was gather

secure more righ

tody of my

ink about how painful

rebuild our relation

she had the right to choose

sit up in bed, ove

reached out to pull me close. "

nd got out of bed. "Noth

g more and bent down to pick

ghter bounded out the do

hold back her complaints

day with Kylie. I can eat those e

ip away, I deci

r if she did her

ldn't blame me

arn how harsh th

essaged my high school fr

s a private

was strai

al information and soli

d bought several tiny cameras from her. When I got

ootage, I also ordered a high-definition

over for dinner tonight. I've already prepared the food. I won't be able to join y

spect a thing an

y daughter, who took

you having f

p doing my homework w

case. If you're with Dad every d

ent, but her mind er

t! Kylie gave me chocolate today. I'm not telling Mom, or she'll scold me ag

nt. Does that mean I'll

om. She's so gentle. Mom's