My grandfather didn’t mince words and said to my dad, “You can come by yourself. Don’t bring any stray cats and dogs to my place.”
Lily’s face turned red and white at my grandfather’s words, but she still forced a smile and said, “I’m really sorry. I’m going through menopause and my temper has been a bit short. When Ava comes back, I promise I’ll take good care of her.”
܀
Zoe also came over and said, “Sis, I’m sorry. I was wrong. I’ll never touch your things again.”
“Sweetie, do you want to go back with them?” my grandfather turned to ask me only after seeing them apologize.
I quickly shook my head and said I didn’t want to go back. I was afraid they would retaliate against me when my dad wasn’t around.
As I spoke, I showed them the wounds on my neck that hadn’t healed yet from their scratches.
My dad’s face darkened instantly when he saw the wounds on my neck. He couldn’t bear to lay a finger on his daughter, and now she had been
beaten like this.
Lily repeatedly swore that she would be good to me, or may she be struck by lightning. Zoe also promised that she wouldn’t make me angry again.
I took the opportunity to take out the clothes that Zoe had ruined from my suitcase and handed them to Lily, saying, “This was a birthday gift from my mom last year. I hadn’t even worn it once before Zoe ruined it.”
“How much was it? I’ll pay for it,” Lily took out her phone, ready to transfer the money.
“$1,280,” I said.
Hearing the price, Lily was stunned, then glared at Zoe.
She had just started working, and still had to pay for Zoe’s tuition and living expenses. She didn’t have that much money.
Seeing Lily’s troubled expression, my dad quickly took out his phone and said, “$1,280, right? I’ll pay for them.”
I pushed away his hand, tears welling up in my eyes. “You’re my dad. Why are you paying for them? Or do you not see me as your daughter at all? Is Zoe your real daughter, and I’m the outsider?”
Faced with my tearful questioning, my dad realized his mistake and hurriedly comforted me, saying, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Dad didn’t think it through. You are my daughter. I only have you as my daughter.”
Seeing the situation, Lily knew she had to pay. She gritted her teeth and transferred the price of the dress to me.
Only then did I agree to go back home with them. That night, I could hear the sounds of Lily beating and scolding Zoe, and Zoe’s cries from the
next room.
Sure enough, in the following days, Lily and her daughter behaved themselves and didn’t provoke me. We coexisted somewhat harmoniously.
Half a year later, Lily announced that she was pregnant. I didn’t pay much attention to it; it was normal for her to have a child with my dad since they were married.
However, she started going out frequently, often being away from home all day, and her clothing style became increasingly provocative.
At first, my dad and I didn’t think much of it. It seemed normal for Lily to have time to dress up since she wasn’t working.
Until a good friend sent me a photo. In the picture, Lily was intimately holding a man’s arm as they entered a hotel.
The man’s face bore a strong resemblance to Zoe’s. It didn’t take a genius to guess who it was.
Ever since Lily got pregnant, my dad had asked her to quit her job and stay at home to take care of herself. He bought all sorts of supplements for her to eat, and even covered Zoe’s tuition and living expenses.
I never expected her to be meeting her ex–husband in secret, not only letting my dad raise her daughter but also planning to have my dad
their con
<
3:25 PM
Thinking about this, I felt dizzy with anger, but I forced myself to calm down.
If I told my dad, he definitely wouldn’t believe me. I had to get solid evidence.
So I asked my friend for the address and went there to stake it out.
Several hours later, the two came out of the hotel arm in arm. Mike’s pudgy face wore a satisfied smile, while Lily leaned into his embrace with a flushed face.
I followed them into a restaurant, finding a seat close to them but hidden. I took out my phone, turned on the recording function, and pushed it in their direction.
“Honey, order whatever you want. Don’t let our son go hungry,” the man tossed the menu in front of Lily.
Lily picked up the menu and started ordering.
“You won’t be discovered coming out, right? That Ava girl is quite sharp, isn’t she?” the man asked.
Lily waved her hand and said, “That little bitch was taking a nap when I left. Jack is at work. As long as I get home before he returns from work, it’s fine.”
“You’re so clever. That fool Jack not only has to raise our daughter but also our son. But he’s quite rich indeed. The watch you gave me last time, I sold it for over $20,000.”
Hearing this, my heart skipped a beat. Two months ago, my dad’s watch had gone missing. It was a gift from my mom to my dad when they first got married, worth nearly $30,000.
After losing the watch, my dad was so upset he couldn’t sleep for several nights.
We thought he had carelessly lost it during a business trip. I never imagined Lily had stolen it and sold it.
“Dad, Mom, I’m here, Zoe’s voice came from the entrance. I quickly hid my face behind the menu.
The man fondly stroked her hair and said, “Come, my good daughter. Let Dad see if you’ve grown taller.”
So this family was in cahoots to deceive my dad. Looking at this happy family scene, I was shaking with anger.
Seeing that it was about time, I went home first. A few minutes later, Lily also arrived and started preparing dinner.
I waited until my dad came home. At the dinner table, I spoke up, “People really look alike these days. My friend saw someone who looked exactly like Aunt Lily while shopping. I was so surprised when I saw the photo.”
As soon as I finished speaking, Lily’s hand trembled violently, dropping the food she had just picked up.
“Really? Let me see,” my dad said, reaching out his hand for my phone while eating.
I found the photo and was about to hand it to my dad when Zoe suddenly reached out, pretending to get some food but actually trying to knock my phone out of my hand.
Luckily, I was prepared and dodged her hand.
My dad took the phone and looked at the photo. His face grew darker and darker, then he slammed the phone on the table and questioned Lily.
“What is this?”
Lily’s lips trembled as she said, “This… this isn’t me… I don’t know.”
I pretended to be innocent and asked, “Oh? Aunt Lily, is this you? I thought it was someone who looked very similar to you. Who is this man? Why are you entering a hotel together?”
“Ava, what nonsense are you talking about!” Zoe shouted at me.
I blinked my eyes and asked her, “Am I talking nonsense? So the people in this photo aren’t your mom and dad? Did my dad make a mistake?”
