Chapter 3

The next morning, while I was packing Lily’s bags, the doorbell rang.

I walked to the stairs and saw Devon opening the door. Iris was standing there, holding Leo's hand.

Iris was wearing a simple, fragile-looking white dress. Her eyes were red, and she was holding a bakery box.

"Devon, is Chloe still mad?" Iris’s voice was so soft it sounded like it would blow away in the wind. "It’s all my fault. I shouldn't have called you yesterday. Leo, quickly call Devon 'Daddy,' and apologize to Lily later."

Six-year-old Leo looked chubby and spoiled. His eyes were filled with mischief.

He pouted and grunted, "Daddy Devon."

Devon immediately patted his head, taking the cake. "It’s not your fault. Chloe is just overreacting. Come in. Have you eaten breakfast? I’ll have Maria make some waffles and bacon."

Standing on the stairs, watching this happy "family of three," my stomach churned with disgust.

Lily walked out of her room, clutching her favorite hand-carved wooden music box. Seeing Leo downstairs, she hid behind me.

That music box was for next month’s youth craft fair. Lily had spent three nights using small carving tools to make it.

Carved on top of the music box was a family of three: a dad, a mom, and a little girl.

Devon looked up and saw us. His brow furrowed, but he waved his hand.

"Lily, come down. Leo is here to apologize to you. I even bought your favorite strawberry cake."

Lily clutched my shirt and shook her head.

"I don’t want the cake, and I don’t want his apology," she said, her voice stuffy.

Iris stepped forward, looking up at us with a pitiful expression.

"Lily, I’m apologizing on Leo's behalf. Please don’t be mad at your dad. He is a good man; he just feels sorry for Leo. You have everything, but Leo only gets to see your dad once in a while. You're a good, understanding girl. You can understand that, right?"

What a toxic guilt trip.

I laughed coldly, holding Lily’s hand as we walked downstairs.

"Iris, cut the act. My daughter is not a saint, and she doesn't need to understand your sob stories. Take your brat and get the hell out of my house."

"Chloe!" Devon shouted, pulling Iris behind him protectively. "Have you had enough?! Iris came all this way to apologize, and you have to be this nasty?"

Suddenly, Leo broke free from Iris’s grip, ran over to Lily, and pointed at the music box in her arms.

"What's that? It's so pretty! I want it!"

He reached out to grab it.

"No! This is my project for the fair!" Lily screamed, holding it tightly.

"I want it! Daddy Devon said I can play with anything in this house!" Leo used his weight to shove Lily hard.

Lily stumbled and fell to the floor, but her hands still clutched the music box.

"Leo!" Fuming with anger, I rushed over, pushed him away, and pulled Lily into my arms.

Leo landed on his butt and immediately started wailing.

"Waaah! Daddy Devon, she hit me! She won't let me have the toy!"

Iris rushed over to hug her son, tears streaming down her face. "Leo, don't cry, Mommy's here... Chloe, he's just a child. Did you really have to push him that hard?"

Devon’s face turned completely black.

He strode over, pulled Leo up, and then glared down at Lily.

"Lily, give the music box to Leo."

His voice was an absolute command.

Lily looked up, her face covered in tears, looking at the father she used to look up to. She shook her head desperately.

"No! I carved this! Daddy, you promised to go to the fair with me..."

"I said, give it to him!" Devon’s patience ran out. He reached down to snatch it from Lily’s arms himself.

"Devon, are you crazy?!" I tried to block him, but he shoved me away. I hit the edge of the coffee table, a sharp pain shooting through my hip.

During the struggle, there was a loud crack.

The music box fell to the floor, splitting into two.

The carved "dad" figure’s head broke off, rolling under the couch.

Lily froze.

Looking at the shattered pieces, she let out a sharp cry and reached down to grab them.

But the sharp metal spring of the music box had popped out. Its jagged edge sliced right across Lily’s delicate palm.

Blood gushed out, dripping onto the white carpet.

"Mommy! It hurts..." Lily held up her bloody hand, shaking with pain.

I scrambled over like crazy, using my shirt to press against her wound, my tears spilling over.

"Don't worry, Lily. Mommy is here. I’m taking you to the hospital!"

I glared up at Devon, my eyes filled with hatred. "Devon, are you happy now?!"

But Devon wasn't even looking at Lily's bleeding hand.

He was frantically checking Leo's fingers. During the scuffle, Leo's hand had been lightly scratched by a tiny splinter. It wasn't even bleeding, just slightly red.

"Does it hurt, buddy? Let me blow on it." Devon’s voice was incredibly gentle.

At that moment, my heart died.

Completely. Not even ashes were left.

Without looking at him again, I picked up my bleeding daughter and rushed out of the house.

Behind me, I heard Iris’s fake voice. "Devon, maybe you should check on Lily, she was bleeding..."

Devon’s annoyed voice followed. "It's just a scratch. Chloe spoils her too much. Come on, buddy, let’s go buy you a new Lego set."