Chapter 2

The days that followed were pure torture. Finally, they returned from their trip. And Mia came back with them, carrying some of their things.

They looked like a real family of three. The atmosphere between them was sweet and lively.

They brought back a pile of souvenirs and local specialties. Daisy excitedly counted them out.

“This scarf is for Grandma, she’ll love how pretty it is.”

“This tea is for Grandpa, he loves tea the most.”

“This watch is for Uncle.”

…She showed them off one by one. But in the end, there wasn’t a single thing for me.

I asked, my voice tinged with a desperate plea, “Daisy, why didn’t you mention anything for Mom?”

“Oh, Mom, your gift is in Aunt Mia’s bag!” Daisy chirped. “Aunt Mia even tried it on personally to make sure the size was right, because she was worried it wouldn’t fit you.”

“Mom, see how nice Aunt Mia is?”

My heart sank. There was no joy in me.

Daisy continued to excitedly show off the toys and new clothes Mia had bought her. “Mom, look at this cute doll Aunt Mia caught for me in the claw machine!”

“Aunt Mia is super good at it!”

“And this pretty little dress Aunt Mia bought for me.”

She then rattled on about the fun things they did on the trip. “This trip was so much fun! I want to go with Aunt Mia again next time!”

“We even caught little fish, and lots of crabs!”

“We ate so much good food!”

Ryan was also clearly thrilled with the trip. He nodded in agreement, telling Daisy, “I’ll take you again next time, but you have to be well-behaved.”

My pent-up anger, building for days, finally exploded.

“You took my meticulously planned itinerary, went on vacation with another woman and my daughter, and left me alone at home. Do you think that’s okay?”

“Ryan, what do you even take me for?”

Ryan instantly frowned, a hint of impatience in his voice. “I did it all for your own good.”

I stared in disbelief. “You did it for my good by treating me like this?!”

“Isn’t it? I was worried you were working too hard, so I asked Mia to look after Daisy.”

“Weren’t you relaxed, having a few days off at home?”

Mia also put on an innocent face. “Scarlett, please don’t misunderstand.”

“Daisy has always really liked me, so Ryan just asked me to help look after her on the trip.”

“I really didn’t mean anything by it.”

“I’m so sorry… If I’d known you’d be upset, I wouldn’t have gone…” she said, looking distraught.

Ryan chimed in, “We even brought you a gift, what are you making such a fuss about?”

“And I was worried the dress size would be wrong, or the style wouldn’t be good.”

“Seeing as you and Mia are the same size, I specifically had her try on several pieces before picking this one out.”

Daisy, hearing me accuse Ryan and Mia, immediately started crying and throwing a fit. “You’re a bad mom, you don’t love me at all!”

“All you do is work all day. Only Aunt Mia ever plays with me.”

“Aunt Mia even takes me to eat delicious burgers and fries.”

“You never let me eat this, and you never let me eat that.”

Ryan then added to the blame. “And it’s just a travel itinerary you can find a million of online. You’re making a huge deal out of this little thing.”

“Mia helped revise many of the details, which is why the trip went so perfectly.”

“You’re so busy every day, when would you actually have time to finish that itinerary anyway?”

“I was just trying to fulfill your wish for Daisy to have a happy trip, what are you still unhappy about?”

Mia, ever the picture of understanding, said softly, “It’s okay, I’m just happy I could help.”

“The most important thing is that you and Daisy had a good time on this trip.”

“It doesn’t matter if I’m misunderstood.”

Daisy was still crying and whining relentlessly. “Why can’t I have a fun trip? Don’t you want me to have fun, Mom?”

“This is my first summer trip this year, Mom, don’t you love me anymore?”