Chapter 1

Mom went to the hospital for a check-up, and when she came back, she often cried over a piece of paper.

One day, I snuck that paper to Dad, trying to ask him for help.

But Dad tore it up and yelled at her, "You're still faking your illness after all this time? Are you really going to drag the kid into this now?"

He then slammed the door and left. I curled up next to Mom, hugging her as I cried, "Mom, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gone to Dad."

Mom didn't say a word. She just wiped away my tears and smiled at me softly.

In the end, my mom passed away.

But my cold-hearted dad—who always acted like he didn't care about Mom—was clutching her body, bawling his eyes out like he'd lost his mind.

*****

Mom hadn't said a word to me in ages.

No matter what I said to her, she wouldn't answer me.

So I'd just curl up on the couch by myself, playing with my building blocks.

When I got hungry, I'd grab some snacks or fruit from the fridge.

I really wanted to reach out to Dad and ask him for help.

But Mom's phone was dead, so I failed to call him.

After I charged it up, it did turn on, but it asked for a password.

I didn't know Mom's password.

With no other choice, I could only wait for Dad to call me.

But deep down, I knew it better than anyone.

Dad wasn't going to call. He'd given up on us.

And now, he was living with Elaine.

The last time I saw him was at my kindergarten's sports day.

My dad showed up holding Elaine's daughter in his arms.

I was so excited because I hadn't seen Dad in what felt like forever.

I wanted to dash over, yelling, "Dad! Dad!"

But Mom held me back and said, "Be good, Kara. That's not your dad. You got it wrong."

How could it be? I could never mistake someone else for my own father.

I wanted to call out again, but Mom picked me up and took me over to a corner.

I huddled in her arms, feeling small and lost, watching as Dad held Elaine's daughter affectionately.

He was so caring, wiping her sweat and feeding her water and chocolate.

When she tripped and scraped her knee, Dad rushed over right away.

He checked her wound and asked, all worried, "Does it hurt? Come on, let me blow on it. The pain will go away."

Olivia started crying, reaching out her arms to Dad. "It hurts! Hug me!"

The next second, Dad scooped her up.

Gently, he wiped the tears from her cheeks, whispering soft words to comfort her.

I even overheard Dad saying he was going to get her a burger.

That was when it hit me.

I must've been mistaken.

That man couldn't possibly be my dad.