- 3.
“…Huh? What?”
Lily looked at me, suspicion clouding her
features.
“said,” I repeated slowly, “I won’t make you
practice piano anymore.”
“In fact, I won’t force you to do anything you
don’t like.”
“I won’t check your homework or tell you to
go to bed when you’re gaming.”
“You want a boyfriend? Go ahead. Date
く
whoever you want, however you want. I won’t
interfere.”
“I’ll leave you alone. Do as you please.”
“From now on, you have the freedom you
always wanted.”
I made myself clear.
She could tell I wasn’t bluffing.
A slow smile spread across her face.
“I can skip piano lessons?” she asked
tentatively.
“Of course,” I smiled. “I haven’t paid for next
semester anyway.”
く
Her face flickered with confusion, but she
quickly brushed it aside.
Right now, all she cared about was getting
what she wanted.
“I met a guy online. He’s really sweet. I want
to meet him this weekend. You won’t stop
me?”
I nodded. “Of course not. Follow your heart.”
She rattled off a few more requests, and I
agreed to everything, promising no
interference.
Satisfied, she went to her room, tossed her
backpack on the floor, and flopped onto her
bed, phone in hand.
<
“I’m starving,” she yelled. “I want sweet and
sour pork for dinner. Make it quick!”
I ignored her, settling onto the sofa and
calling my lawyer friend to draft a divorce
agreement.
John would be home tonight. Perfect timing.
As for dinner, anyone could make it. I was
ordering takeout to celebrate my rebirth.
After a couple of games, Lily emerged,
stomach rumbling. The empty table triggered
a fresh wave of fury.
“I said I wanted sweet and sour pork! Are you
deaf as well as stupid?”
I scrolled through my phone. “I told you, I’m
Г
not taking care of you anymore. Your hunger
is not my concern.”
“Are you insane, you old hag? If you don’t
cook, who will?” she shrieked.
I shrugged. “Whoever wants to. Not me.”
Cooking for myself? Fine. Cooking for an
ungrateful brat? No, thanks.
The doorbell rang. My dim sum arrived.
As Lily watched, bewildered, I unpacked the
containers.
Congee, shrimp dumplings, shumai, pan–fried
dumplings…all the things I usually denied
myself.
く
She plopped down at the table. “Which one is
mine?”
“This is all for me,” I said. “There’s nothing
for you.”
Her eyes bulged. “Then what am I supposed
to eat? You’ve lost your mind!”
“I knew this was a trick! You’re just trying to
manipulate me into practicing piano again!
I’m so sick of it!”
“No wonder Dad never comes home. No one
can stand you!”
“Give me money! I’m going out for seafood!”
I popped a shrimp dumpling into my mouth,
savoring the flavor. “Ask your dad for money.”
