Chapter 4

I watched them leave, sighed deeply, and turned to pack my suitcase.

As I was packing, I found a knitted toy that had fallen into the trash can.

It was a knitted doll, a parent-child project assigned by Lily's school.

The fabric was now dirty.

After Lily told me about this assignment, I had spent three nights working on it, my hands full of needle pricks.

But all I got in return was Lily's look of disgust.

"This doll is so ugly. Your taste is really old-fashioned. I'm too embarrassed to show it to my classmates."

My heart sank a little more.

When I came back to my senses, it was already noon. My best friend had sent over the divorce papers. As I held those thin sheets of paper, I heard Lily's laughter from the doorway:

"Dad, Aunt Emma designed a project for me today, and I won first prize! All my classmates were so envious."

Jack praised her, "You like her so much, how about making her your godmother?"

Lily hugged the exquisite doll tightly, excited, "Yes! I love Aunt Emma the most. If she were my mom, my classmates wouldn't make fun of me for having an old-fashioned mom anymore."

Earlier, I had been worried that she might cry without a project to submit.

Now I realized my concern was unnecessary.

I laughed quietly, watching their happy faces as my heart sank to the bottom.

I threw the dirty doll back into the trash can.

This action caught their attention.

Jack came over and saw the doll in the trash. He looked troubled.

Those nights, he had seen me staying up late to sew it by hand.

He spoke, "Rose, stop being difficult. If it weren't for Emma today, she wouldn't have won the prize."

Ever since Emma returned, all I heard was her name.

I suddenly felt irritated.

Under Jack's weary gaze, I took out the divorce papers.

I said softly, "I've already signed. It just needs your signature."

From the corner of my eye, I saw Lily's face light up.

It stung a little.

Jack didn't understand, "You want a divorce just because of yesterday? Didn't I apologize to you last night?"

"It's not just that. I'm tired now."

All these years, because of Lily and Jack's mother, I had bottled up all the hurt inside.

Now, because of his first love Emma, all the pain and exhaustion exploded.

Lily excitedly ran to his side, tugging at his sleeve.

"Dad, I heard from my classmates that divorce means you won't be together anymore. Does that mean Aunt Emma can come over more often?"

Jack gently scolded her, and she fell silent.

I picked up my suitcase, intending to leave, but he grabbed me.

His dark eyes fixed on me, "If you're going to be this impulsive, I'll sign today, and you'll have nothing to do with Lily anymore."

I nodded firmly and shook off his hand.

As I opened the door, I felt an unprecedented sense of relief.

I heard Lily's confused voice, "Dad, haven't you always liked Aunt Emma? I saw your old photos together the other day."

As the door locked behind me, I pulled my suitcase away, never looking back.