Chapter 3
I secretly sold the small, one-carat diamond ring without telling Charlee. With the money I got, I took her to a store and bought her a beautiful dress. She finally got the doll she had been dreaming of but didn’t dare to ask for, and we indulged in the candies and pastries she had longed for. Today, all her wishes were granted.
When we got home, Charlee took a bath more than once before finally slipping into her new clothes. She twirled in front of our cracked mirror, admiring herself. It was the first time I had seen her smile so joyfully. However, this happiness didn’t last long.
Half an hour later, Isaac stomped in, covered in dirt. Seeing Charlee in her neat, elegant dress and surrounded by a pile of gift boxes, the first words out of his mouth weren’t of praise but a cold reprimand: “Estella, what are you blowing money on now? You know our financial situation. I work myself to the bone every day to provide for the family, and you spend it like this?”
Charlee was startled. She quickly hid the doll behind her back, lowering her gaze to avoid Isaac’s stern glare. “Dad...Daddy, it was me who begged Mom to buy these. Please don’t be mad. I...I’ll have her return them tomorrow.”
Looking at Isaac’s filthy and disheveled appearance, I almost laughed out of anger. Coming home so late every night, I could only assume it was to keep up his facade of being a hardworking, financially struggling man.
“I do construction work and earn about a thousand dollars a month, trying to cover rent and support you two. How much did you spend on these, Estella? Can’t you be a little more thoughtful?” Isaac threw his dirty, smelly jacket at me, failing to hide his rage. It was amusing to me how he claimed he had to pay three-quarters of his income on debts when barely a third made it into my hands. To keep the household running, I juggled four jobs a day. I’d skipped breakfasts so often that I’d developed stomach issues, yet I couldn’t afford to see a doctor.
How he had the nerve to say he was supporting the family was beyond comprehension. Seeing me stay silent, Isaac directed his disdain at Charlee, adding, “You look just as unattractive as your mother. Dressing up won’t help. Return these tomorrow. Our house doesn’t need such impractical things.”
Hearing such cruel words from her father, Charlee started trembling with hurt and shame. Initially, I didn’t want to argue with Isaac, but his words to our daughter were too much. I couldn’t bear it any longer and sprang to my feet, slapping him hard across the face. “Isaac, are you even human? What kind of father belittles his daughter like this?!”
In the next moment, his fist came crashing into my face, sending me sprawling to the floor, blood pouring from my nose. I barely heard Charlee’s desperate cries through the ringing in my ears. “Daddy, please...don’t hit Mommy. I’ll be good from now on. I promise I won’t make you angry anymore,” she said, sobbing uncontrollably.
When I came to, Isaac was already at the door, glaring at us. “I come home and have to deal with you two causing trouble. What a cursed life!” With a loud slam, Isaac stormed out.
Charlee, her face streaked with tears and snot, gently wiped the blood from my nose. Seeing her sobbing and scared, my heart ached far more than my body. Just as I was about to comfort Charlee, my phone rang insistently. Seeing the number, I quickly answered, flustered. “Estella, it's so late, and you’re not at your shift yet. If you don’t want to work, get lost!”
I had completely forgotten about my night shift at the upscale club, distracted by the drama with Isaac. “Mr. Perkins, please don’t be mad. I had some family issues come up. I’ll be there in 20 minutes.” After reassuring Charlee to lock up and stay safe at home, I hurried out the door.