Chapter 4

In the past, when Lily said things like this, I used to feel jealous, thinking she was just closer to her dad because they spent more time together.

But now I realized she was completely brainwashed by Carter.

I slowly chewed on my toasted bread, looking at her blankly.

"You have school, and your dad has work. But guess what? I have a job too. My name isn't written on these chores. I don't owe you a clean house."

Lily stared at me in disbelief, her eyes wide with shock.

"How is that the same? Do you make as much money as Dad? You do nothing all day but sit in your stupid office."

"Plus, you love shopping. If Dad didn't give you money, you couldn't even afford the clothes you wear!"

So that was it. In the eyes of the daughter I cherished so much, I was just a useless housewife, a parasite.

Carter hadn't put a single penny into our joint account for two years. Every single dollar spent on this house came from my salary.

Yet, to Carter and Lily, I was just a freeloading leech.

She really was her father's daughter.

I smiled, looking straight into her eyes. "Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you. Even if I am a leech, your dad is still legally obligated to support me."

"From now on, if you want to eat, order takeout or cook it yourself."

Carter, who was putting on his coat, froze. He walked over, frowning at me.

"Chloe, how can you speak to Lily like that? She’s just a kid!"

I washed my hands, grabbed my purse, put on my heels, and turned to him.

"She’s eight years old. She has her own thoughts and opinions."

"Since she thinks I’m a useless housewife, I might as well act like one. From now on, you do the chores."

With that, I walked out. Today was the day Hailey was going to show up at my studio to make a scene.

I sat in my office in a great mood, admiring my new designer necklace in front of the hidden camera in the teddy bear.

My coworker, Sarah, noticed it and gasped. "Oh my god, Chloe! That necklace is gorgeous!"

I blushed, acting shy. "Thanks. My husband got it for me."

The other teachers started teasing me, complaining about how their husbands never bought them anything nice.

I checked the time. It was almost showtime.

I saw Lily standing at the door, looking at me with a confused expression. When I walked out, she couldn't wait to whisper-hiss at me.

"Why are you lying? Dad didn't buy you that. He only buys things for—"

She cut herself off, but I knew exactly what she was going to say.

She wanted to say that Carter only bought luxury items for Hailey now, and that she preferred Hailey over me anyway.

In my past life, those six months of depression made me constantly question myself. Why did my own daughter abandon me?

I used to drown in anxiety and self-doubt, wondering what I did wrong.

But now? Why should I suffer for their sins? They were the ones who lied and cheated.

As long as I didn't care, they couldn't hurt me.

I tilted my head and smiled at her. "How do you know Dad didn't buy this for me?"

"Of course he did. He loves me so much."

Lily looked utterly bewildered. She was just a kid, after all, probably struggling to figure out who was telling the truth.

When I walked back to my desk, the drama channel sent me a Snapchat.

It was a photo of Hailey driving out of her luxury community. Right on schedule.

Suddenly, Lily’s eyes lit up. She ran toward the entrance, waving her hands excitedly.

"Hailey! Over here!"

Hailey gave Lily a quick nod, but the fury on her face was unmistakable.

With a loud *bang*, she kicked my office door open, her phone raised to record.

Sarah stood up, startled. "Excuse me? Can I help you?"

Hailey rolled her eyes at her and glared at me with pure venom.

"Help? Oh, you can help me expose this disgusting homewrecker!"