Chapter 3

Just then, Mom's phone rang. It was Dad calling.

I ran over, trying to pick it up.

But it only rang once before he hung up.

I shook Mom, who was still lying on the bed. "Mom! Dad just called! He'll come to see us!"

But Mom didn't respond.

I knew why she wasn't as excited as I was.

Every time Dad came home, he and Mom always ended up fighting.

No wonder she didn't want him around.

I tucked Mom in, and then obediently sat down on the couch, waiting for Dad to come back.

Just as I expected, he arrived in no time.

As he unlocked the door with his key, I stood up eagerly, running to the door.

Dad came in, paused when he saw me, and asked, "Where's your mom?"

"She's in the bedroom..." I replied.

He waved it off. "Forget it, no need to talk to her. Kara, go change your clothes. We're heading out."

"Dad..." I called after him, trying to stop him.

But he didn't even look back, already striding toward the elevator and lighting up a cigarette.

Mom hated the smell of cigarettes.

That was why Dad never smoked inside the house.

Even when his buddies came over, he'd make them go outside to smoke.

"Get out. My wife can't stand the smell," he'd say.

And every time, his buddies would laugh and say, "Rich, your wife's a lucky woman."

"Yeah, we're all jealous," they'd joke.

Mom would blush and mumble, "It's okay, you can smoke inside. No need to make them go out."

Dad would slip his arm around Mom's waist and plant a kiss on her cheek.

Then he'd grin and say, "Don't worry about it. Let them go outside. I dare anyone to smoke in front of my wife."

They used to be so in love.

But what broke them apart?

Was it me?

Was it because I kept whining for burgers?

Was it because I cried over every trivial matter?

Was it because I wouldn't let them get a divorce?

Or was it because I kept fighting with Olivia for Dad's attention?

Did Dad start hating Mom because of me?

Sorry, Mom.

Now, it felt like everything was my fault.

I changed into a white dress.

Mom bought it for me on my birthday.

That day, I sat before the table in my new dress, waiting for Dad to come home and eat with us.

We waited for so long that I ended up falling asleep, but Dad still hadn't come back.

The next morning, I went to school.

And there was Olivia, showing off a cute headband on her head.

She bragged to everyone, "My dad gave me this! Yesterday, he took me to an amusement park. I'm sure you guys have never even been to any place like that!"

In that instant, something snapped inside me.

Before I could control myself, I suddenly leapt at her, grabbing for her headband.

No one could hold me back, and I tackled Olivia to the ground.

A raging wave emotion crashed over me.

I started bawling and screaming, snatched her headband, and yanked her hair all over the place.

"That's my dad!" I yelled.

"Give me back my dad! Give him back!"

In the end, the principal pulled us apart.

Then, the teachers called our parents in.

I hid behind Mom and said softly, "Mom, I'm sorry. I was wrong. I shouldn't have grabbed someone else's stuff."

Mom didn't say anything.

Elaine didn't blame me at all. She even gave me a milk candy and said, "Kara, I'm Elaine. Do you remember me?"

Of course, I remembered her.

My dad's mom, Bella, was really fond of her.

I used to see Elaine all the time at Bella's place.

However, I didn't like Elaine.

Olivia was still bawling, but Elaine ignored her. She just took the headband right off Olivia's head and handed it to me.

"Do you like this headband? It's yours now, okay?" she said.

I shook my head. "I don't want it."

But Elaine just wouldn't give up; she kept trying to press it into my hands.

We kept passing it back and forth, and finally, the headband slipped and fell to the floor.

Olivia started bawling even louder.

Mom just hugged me tight, not saying a word.

Elaine stood up, ignoring me, and turned to Mom. "I heard yesterday was your daughter's birthday."

Mom hugged me tighter and demanded, "Why are you asking? What do you want with my daughter?"

Elaine just smiled, "Don't get so worked up. I'm not going to do anything to her."

But then, she added with a smirk, "After all, I'll be her mom soon."

"You!" Mom was so mad she was practically shaking, her chest rising and falling with anger.

Elaine shot her a sly and malicious grin. Then, as if she'd just remembered, she said, "Oh right, yesterday Richard took Olivia to the amusement park. She absolutely loved it. Do you think Kara would like it too? Why don't you join us next time?"