Chapter 3

New Year was my favorite time every year. The New Year gathering meant I could see my grandparents.

But now I felt so sad. My tears wouldn't stop flowing.

Grandma rushed to the back seat and lifted Sam out first.

Then she looked into the car again. "Where's Chloe? Why isn't Chloe in the car?"

"Grandma, I'm here."

I sobbed and tugged at Grandma's sleeve.

Mom said impatiently, "She's riding with someone else."

"Come on, it's freezing out here. Sam sat in the car for so long-he's cold and hungry. Show some concern for your grandson."

Mom's words immediately silenced Grandma.

She looked at Dad. When Dad nodded, she sighed and stopped asking.

"Alright, alright. I made apple pie. Try some."

Mom, Dad, and Sam all ate with relish. I clutched my stomach, about to cry. After walking for an hour, I was exhausted and starving.

What I wanted most was Grandma's apple pie.

"Chloe loves apple pie. I even saved some especially for her."

Grandma said with a smile, standing up to look out the window again and again.

I sniffled.

I couldn't hold back my tears anymore.

After everyone finished eating and Grandma cleared the table, she still hadn't seen me arrive and finally couldn't help asking my parents about me again.

"Why isn't Chloe here yet? Whose car is she riding in? Why didn't you all come together?"

The living room suddenly fell silent.

Dad hesitated. "Soon, I think. She should be here soon."

His uncertain answer puzzled my grandparents.

"Whose car is Chloe riding in? Just call and ask. She's been gone so long-aren't you parents worried at all?"

Dad pushed up his glasses but looked at Mom.

Mom angrily opened her phone. my grandparents stretched their necks expectantly. I looked too.

She frowned and opened her phone. Seeing that the camera's GPS showed it wasn't far from my grandparents' house, she said, "Fine. She'll be back in five minutes."

my grandparents wanted to look closer, but Mom immediately closed her phone.

"While we're back, I need to tell you something important."

"Chloe's about to start first grade. You can't keep spoiling her anymore. It's very bad for her future development."

Mom's tone was extremely stern.

I hid behind Grandma in fear.

Mom loved smart children. She was always gentle with Sam.

But I was too stupid.

Mom was always angry. Once I scored 59 on a math test, and she was so furious she slapped me.

"Are you even my biological child? How can you be this stupid?"

"You got such simple addition and subtraction wrong? What's in your brain?"

To make me learn math well, she frantically created study plans for me.

Study a year's worth of math, do math problems. If I couldn't learn, she'd hit my palms.

Grandma couldn't stand it and would speak up for me. This time was the same.

She said quietly, "Jennifer, I think teaching children shouldn't be too forceful. Chloe is still young..."

Before she could finish, Mom cut her off sharply.

"Mom, do you know that Chloe now has to hesitate even when asked what 1+1 equals?"

"When Sam was her age, he could already solve third-grade math problems!"

Grandma's face turned pale. In the corner, Sam was secretly laughing.

I rushed forward anxiously. "Mom, I didn't hesitate! It was Sam!"

"Sam said 1+1 doesn't equal 2!"

I didn't understand, but when Sam asked again, I hesitated.

But Mom couldn't hear my explanation.

"Everyone, look! Isn't this Chloe's coat?"