Chapter 1

My dad had an affair with a washed-up model.

My mom was devastated, cried her heart out, and demanded a divorce.

In court, the judge asked me, a ten-year-old, to decide who I wanted to live with.

Under my mom’s hopeful gaze, I chose my cheating dad.

I rightly explained that it was my mom’s fault for not being able to have a baby brother.

I was a girl, detail-oriented and responsible, and I needed to help my dad care for my unborn brother.

Mom covered her face and wept bitterly.

It was hilarious—she was faking it.

Because we both knew the good days for me and my mom were just beginning.

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In court, the judge asked who I wanted to stay with.

Everyone assumed I’d choose my mom—for the stable home, loving care, and everything else that made sense.

Instead, I picked my dad, who was nervously shielding his mistress, Vanessa Thorn, and her pregnant belly.

Dad was stunned but quickly shrugged it off. After all, I was just a girl—his daughter, not a son. To him, girls were destined to marry out of the family eventually.

When the judge asked for my reasoning, I put on my most innocent expression and said:

“Dad’s had it so rough. He just wants to be with Aunt Vanessa. What did he do wrong?”

“Dad’s busy making money, and Aunt Vanessa’s having a baby. I need to help Dad take care of my baby brother.”

“Mom’s always busy teaching other kids. She couldn’t even have a baby brother and wouldn’t let Dad have one with someone else. That’s mean!”

Beside me, Mom covered her face, her shoulders shaking as she “cried uncontrollably.”

Only I knew the truth: she was laughing so hard it hurt.

Mom cried on cue. No, she was acting.

We had planned it this way—I’d put on the show, and she’d bring the tears.

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