“Exactly! Getting some payback is one thing, but men messing around outside is just how it is these days. At least yours still brings money home. Honestly, compared to others, he’s not even that bad…”
I could handle the backlash and people not understanding me.
Just like Aiden had to face the consequences of cheating, I had to face the chain reaction of my own choices. That was fair.
It was a personal choice and nothing more.
I was prepared for it all, except for Chloe’s reaction.
One night, a few days after Aiden moved out, I was just about to lie down when Lsuddenly saw Chloe standing by the door in her pajamas. Her eyes were red as she stared at me.
“Mommy, are you the one who made Daddy leave?”
The look in her eyes made my heart jolt. That wasn’t the gaze of a seven–year–old girl. Her eyes were filled with grievance, resentment, accusation, and even a hint of hatred.
I quickly got up to pull her into my arms, but she turned coldly, dodging me.
My hand hung frozen in the air.
I never saw Chloe like this before. She felt like a stranger.
Chapter 11
+25 BONUS
I practically raised her on my own. Back when Aiden was climbing the corporate ladder, he was barely home. Heartbroken, she once asked me, “Does Daddy not want us anymore?”
I told her in a serious tone, “Daddy loves us very much. He works so hard because he wants to give us a warm and happy home. We have to love him and understand him, okay?”
“Okay, Mommy.”
After that, I even sat down with Aiden and talked to him about it.
From that day forward, no matter how busy he was, he always set aside 30 minutes a day to spend with Chloe, be it to read stories or play games.
She looked forward to that half hour every day. Little by little, she and Aiden grew close.
“Grandma and Aunt Amelia said you forced Daddy to leave. They said you ruined his career, too. Mommy, Daddy is such a good man. Why would you do that to him?” (1)
1
As Chloe spoke, she suddenly shoved me hard with both hands and burst into heartbroken sobs. “I want Daddy to come home! I don’t care! I want you to bring Daddy home! If you don’t, I won’t love you anymore!”
A chill spread through my entire body.
I sat down on the bed, forcing myself to stay calm, and asked softly, “What else did Grandma and Aunt Amelia tell you?”
