Chapter 4

Lunch was held in the classroom.

The teacher reminded us to observe the children's self-feeding abilities.

Mary sat between Julian and Clara. She picked out the cilantro with her spoon. "Daddy doesn't eat cilantro either."

Clara pulled a thermos out of her bag and handed it to Julian. "Your stomach has been acting up. Don't drink ice water."

Julian took it and took a sip.

He saw me, and his hand froze in mid-air.

Last night at ten, I texted him to remind him to eat and take his medicine. He still hadn't replied.

I turned off my phone screen.

Mary pulled out a hand-braided leather bracelet and held it up to me. "Ms. Carter, look! Daddy made this for me."

She pointed to Clara’s wrist. "Mommy has one too."

Clara was indeed wearing the exact same bracelet.

Julian cleared his throat. "Mary, eat your lunch."

Mary kept talking. "Daddy said this bracelet won't break. It means our family will never be separated."

I stared at Julian. He bit his lip, offering no explanation.

For our tenth anniversary, I asked if we should upgrade my ring. He said he was too busy with his projects.

So, he did have time. Just not for me.

The classroom speakers began playing the pre-recorded video introductions of the kids.

Mary's voice echoed through the room. "My name is Mary."

"My mommy is Clara, and my daddy is Julian."

The classroom fell dead silent.

Julian’s lips trembled.

I watched him, waiting for him to speak. But he said nothing.

Clara kept her head down, pressing a napkin to her lap, looking at neither of us.

I wrote in the observation log: Role designations have become fixed. The child has fully internalized this father identity.

Julian leaned in, whispering, "Can you please not write it so harshly?"

I put down my pen. "How would you prefer I write it?"

"She's still young. If the report is too severe, the preschool will mandate psychological intervention."

I let out a soft laugh. "Oh, so you do know this will affect her?"

Julian looked miserable. "Chloe, I know you’re hurting right now. But Mary has had it hard enough."

"And what about me?" I asked directly.

He lowered his voice further. "Just let it slide for today. Bear with it for my sake."

Hearing those words, I gripped the back of my chair.

When I was signing the paperwork alone in the hospital during my miscarriage, he had told me the exact same thing: Just bear with it for now.

It turned out I was always the one expected to suffer in silence.

I picked up my pen and looked at him. "Julian, do you expect me to fake an official psychological evaluation for you too?"

His face stiffened.

Clara chimed in. "Ms. Carter, just write whatever is professional."

"Julian is just worried about Mary."

I turned to her. "Clara, have you always been this understanding?"

She clenched her napkin. "I just know I have no right to demand anything."

"But you've also never rejected anything, have you?"

She fell silent.

My phone vibrated. It was Adrian calling on WhatsApp.

"Chloe, the preschool director just notified me that you have a personal relationship with the accompanying parent."

"You don't have to force yourself to stay. Hand over the case and leave immediately. Whatever trouble comes up, I'll handle it."

His voice carried a clear tone of protectiveness.

I glanced at Julian, whose finger was being held by Mary, and replied coldly, "Okay. I'll submit the conflict of interest form."

Julian stood up.