Chapter 6

After May finished bandaging my hand, she glanced at Mom’s room and frowned. "It’s almost dark. Why isn’t Mrs. up yet?"

I replied, "Mom’s really tired. Let her sleep a bit more."

May sighed, "It’s been days, and Mr. hasn’t even come to check on us."

Dad hadn’t been home in a long time. He once said he was on a business trip, but he was actually on vacation with Nora. Nora had flaunted those photos in front of Mom, telling her to divorce Dad and give up her spot.

Mom’s eyes filled with tears when she saw the photos. She had wanted to visit that place for a long time and had asked Dad to take her, but he was always busy. Now he had taken Nora instead.

Mom showed Dad the photos. Instantly, Dad’s face changed. He claimed they were photoshopped, saying they didn’t count. Mom’s eyes filled with sorrow.

"Rex, what did you promise me when we got married? That you’d only love me and be good to me. Otherwise, why would I stay here?"

Dad retorted, "Haven’t I been good to you? A million-dollar house, diamond rings, designer clothes—you asked for them, and I gave them."

Mom shook her head, whispering, "We just can’t communicate."

She threw Dad’s clothes and shoes out of the house. He, feeling humiliated, said he wouldn’t come back. And from that day, he really didn’t.

Soon, Nora’s house caught fire, so she moved in with Dad. Mom didn’t cry when she heard. She just hugged me gently.

"Now I understand that people’s hearts and love can change, and promises only matter when they are made," Mom said softly. "But it's too late to regret now."

8

That night, I brushed my teeth by myself and used a towel to clean my small body. Then, I climbed into bed and hugged Mom. Even though her body was stiff and cold, as long as she lay there, I felt happy.

I once asked, "Mom, what kind of person is your mom?"

Mom never talked about her dad, and her mom was her only relative.

"Mom was strict. She would hit and scold me when I didn’t do my homework," she said.

I frowned, not understanding why she would miss someone like that.

Sometimes Mom had nightmares and called out for "Mom," not Dad.

Mom’s voice changed as she continued, "But when I was diagnosed with leukemia at sixteen, Mom never got angry again. She quit her job, sold the house, and took care of me every day."

"My mom loved me a lot," she said with a mix of pride and sadness.

I realized Mom never forgot her mother. When she traveled to this world at eighteen, she was still just a girl.

One day, I found Mom crying secretly by the window after learning Dad was on vacation with Nora. She said she shouldn’t have let love cloud her judgment, giving up everything, including her mom, whom she could never see again.

9

Mom had asked Dad for a divorce. A month after he moved out, she invited him back home.

Dad showed up in a black suit with his hair slicked back, looking more handsome than ever. That day, Mom cooked a big meal. Dad smugly said, "Changed your mind?"

I sat at the table, excited, hoping they would reconcile. But Mom put down her chopsticks and said, "Rex, let’s get a divorce."

I knew what divorce meant—Dad and Mom would be separated forever, and we’d rarely be together. Dad’s expression changed instantly.

"Evie, you’re making a big deal out of nothing! I won’t do anything with Nora. I still love you. Why can’t you be more understanding?"

Mom said, "To me, this isn’t a small issue. You broke your promise and betrayed our love. How can I be understanding?"

Dad, looking worried, angrily said, "If we divorce, where will you go? Who do you know here besides Candy and me?"

Mom, choking up, replied, "If I don’t know anyone, I’ll meet new people. If I run out of money, I’ll wash dishes and mop floors. I can take care of Candy by myself."

Dad sneered, "Go ahead and try." He turned and left in a hurry.

In the following days, Mom sent out many job applications, but they were all rejected. She kept applying, hundreds, thousands of times. Until a kind person told her:

"Miss Bailey, Mr. Rex has made it known that no one should hire you."

Soon, a lawyer came with documents for Mom.

"What’s this?" Mom asked.

"It’s a comparison of you and Mr. Rex's assets," the lawyer explained. "If you go to court for custody, unfortunately, you won’t have much chance."

Mom turned pale. I clung to her shirt, petrified.

Shortly afterward, Dad’s relatives showed up, surrounding Mom with interrogation-like questions.

"With Rex’s great conditions, you still want to divorce? You won’t get a better chance."

"Ungrateful. What does Rex even see in her?"

Mom, coldly, said, "Stop trying to convince me. I’m divorcing him."

One softened their tone, "Evie, think about the child. How upset she’d be if she knew her parents were divorcing."

Mom looked momentarily moved. The group quickly said:

"Yes, the child needs a healthy childhood."

"Everything for the kid. What’s so hard to bear?"

Someone pushed me towards Mom, smiling, "Candy, do you want your parents to divorce? If they do, you’ll be without a mom."

Tears welled in my eyes. I hugged Mom tightly, scared, "Mom, please don’t leave Dad. Candy can’t bear losing you."

Mom, eyes filled with unshed tears, said softly, "Alright."

Her voice was like a sigh. Mom gave up.

I thought this meant she’d stay forever. But little did I know some birds can’t be caged—their very feathers shine with freedom.