Chapter 3

When I got home, I was surprised to see Richard, who was supposed to be on a business trip, sitting on the couch watching TV.

I remembered that he must have rushed back after getting a call from Helen.

Before, I had called him several times, hoping he could make it back for Jessica's graduation party, but he always made excuses about being too busy with work.

But as soon as Helen complained a little about him not caring enough about their daughter, he dropped everything and came running.

It just went to show the power of first love.

Jessica saw her dad and ran to him, throwing herself into his arms.

Richard stroked her hair and said lovingly, "I'm sorry, Jessica. I was too busy with work to make it to your graduation party. It's my fault.

"As a way to make it up to you, what gift do you want? I'll get it for you."

Jessica gave me a sly, triumphant look.

Then, wrapping her arms around Richard, she whined sweetly, "I want the newest phone out there, and I also want to keep going to my art classes!"

Richard glanced at me, clearly looking for my input.

Normally, I'd jump in and say something, but today I just said quietly, "You're Jessica's father. It's up to you."

For all these years, Jessica had only been allowed a smartwatch to stay in touch, plus a dedicated tablet for her studies.

I never let her have a phone, because once she got her hands on one, she was totally addicted. She would skip meals and stay up deep into the night, eyes red as cherries, clutching it like she was afraid it might disappear.

As for art class, it was one of those enrichment classes Jessica tried out over the years.

I paid for her to stick with it for six whole years. The fee was huge.

But honestly, her artwork was nowhere close to decent.

Once middle school started piling on the pressure, I helped her drop art class.

I put that time and even more money into pricier private tutoring instead.

Her grades kept getting better, but she complained that I was too controlling, saying I was turning her into a puppet.

So from now on, whatever she wanted to do, I would just respect her choices.

As long as it didn't cost me anything.

Jessica saw Richard hesitate for ages without agreeing to her request, and her smile faded in disappointment.

"Dad, can you stop letting her call the shots? It's not even her money. Why does she get to decide everything?" Jessica complained.

I scoffed, "Exactly, I don't have a say. If your dad wants to spend the cash on you, that's his business, not mine."

It was laughable. She seriously believed Richard was the one paying for all her education.

Just her after-school tutoring and enrichment classes racked up over 50 thousand grand a year. Like Richard could afford that.

If I hadn't busted my back and dropped all that cash, chauffeuring her to endless lessons every single day, Jessica would not had ended up acing the exams.

My cold look must've pushed some button in Richard.

He suddenly shot me a mocking glance and said, "What, you think you're the big spender here? If it's not my money, are you footing the bill? Even if you are, you're just using the salary I hand over to you anyway."

Richard did hand over 3 thousand dollars a month, sure.

But that was barely enough to keep the whole family running. There was no way there'd be anything left over for Jessica's tutoring and enrichment classes.

The way Richard glared at me, all accusation in his eyes, made my heart sink.

I didn't even bother trying to explain.

"Suit yourself. From now on, you handle all of Jessica's bills yourself. Keep your precious 3 thousand too. I don't need it," I said coldly.

Jessica couldn't hide her excitement when she realized I was turning down Richard's salary.

She jumped in, "Dad, just hand your paycheck straight to Grandma from now on! Then I won't have to go begging Athena for pocket money or deal with her moods every time."

Richard's anger flared. "So this is how you treat Jessica? You act all cold with her just because she asks for some pocket money? And what about my salary, huh? Don't tell me you've been funneling it over to your side of the family this whole time?"

I stared at the furious man in front of me, and suddenly realized that I didn't recognize Richard at all anymore.

Jessica was dressed head to toe in designer brands, and just one private session with a star tutor set us back over three hundred dollars.

If he ever actually paid attention, he'd see that the three thousand he threw at us each month wasn't even enough to cover a fraction of the bar bill for Jessica's graduation party today.

Disappointment didn't even begin to cover how I felt.

"Fine, Richard," I spat out, barely containing my fury. "From now on, don't come running to me with your drama. Your business is yours. Try me one more time and I swear I'll go off the rails. Don't say I didn't warn you."

Suddenly, I slammed the glass tumbler down onto the floor hard.

It exploded with a sharp crack, shards bouncing everywhere like wild little sprites.

Jessica and Richard just stood there, stunned.

Eight years of marriage, and I'd never blown up like this before.