Chapter 2

At dinner on Tuesday, Mia pulled a pale yellow invitation card from her backpack.

She didn’t hand it to Kane right away.

Instead, she glanced at me, then sneaked a tentative look at him, as if trying to gauge whether she was about to be rejected again.

“Next Friday is Family Showcase Day at school,” she said.

Kane kept cutting his steak, offering a mindless “Uh-huh.”

Mia slid the invitation across the table toward him.

“The teacher said it’s best if both parents come.” she explained carefully.

“Every student has to introduce their mom and dad, and then we take a family photo together. The pictures will be pinned on the classroom Family Wall all the way until summer break.”

“I really want you and Mom to go together.”

Kane finally raised his head.

Mia quickly flipped the card open, pointing to the time printed inside.

“The showcase starts at nine, and I’ll be done before ten.”

She looked up, her eyes wide with hope.

“You just need to sit in the front row. You don’t have to do anything else. After my presentation, you can take a picture with me and Mom.”

Just then, Kane’s phone vibrated against the table.

The screen lit up with a text from Lexi:

Uncle Kane, my piano solo rehearsal is coming up! You said you’d make time to practice with me, don't forget! Tomorrow is day one!

After reading the message, Kane placed his phone face down on the table.

“I can’t make it.”

The smile on Mia’s face froze. She already knew Lexi had a piano solo, but she was sure their schedules wouldn’t clash.

“But my showcase starts at nine in the morning,” Mia said in a rush. “Isn’t Lexi’s solo at two-thirty in the afternoon?”

“You can come to my school first,” she added eagerly. “Once I’m done, you can go help Lexi. I won’t take up much of your time, I promise!”

Kane put down his fork and knife.

“Mia, Lexi gets nervous before her performances. I promised to be there for her dress rehearsal.”

“What about me?” Mia’s voice was barely a whisper.

Kane didn't answer.

I watched my daughter fight back her tears, and I watched the growing irritation on Kane’s face.

“Ellie,” he said, turning to me first. “Can’t you just go by yourself?”

“She wants both of her parents there,” I said.

“She has her mother.”

“She also has someone she’s been calling ‘Dad’ for two years.”

My voice dropped into a dangerous low.

“Someone who personally promised her he’d be there like real family.”

Kane scoffed. “Are you really holding a throwaway line meant to comfort a kid against me as a binding promise?”

All the color drained from Mia’s face.

“Kane, you’re not just flaking on a school event.”

I said, locking eyes with him.

“You’re telling a seven-year-old child that she only deserves whatever scraps of affection you feel like tossing her when it’s convenient for you.”

“Don’t dramaticize this.” Kane frowned. “Lexi needs me. Mia has you, and that’s enough.”

“You keep pushing her away over and over again. Do you have any idea what this does to a child emotionally?”

Kane’s face darkened completely.

“Ellie, don’t dump your parenting anxiety on me. Mia isn’t my daughter. I’m under no obligation to bend my life backward for her.”

“Then why did you let her call you Dad?”

He froze.

“Why did you tell me you were ready to be a father to Mia when I asked you for a commitment back then?”

I stood up, my voice trembling with rage, but I didn't back down an inch.

“You don't have to love her. But you do not get to enjoy her devotion while constantly reminding her—the second she actually needs you—that she doesn't matter in your life!”

Kane stood up too, towering over the table.

“I never asked you to dump her on me as my responsibility!”

“She isn’t a burden!” I practically screamed. “She is my daughter!”