2
I put the phone down and looked around the
house I’d poured my savings into.
The living room was filled with Chloe’s
trophies and certificates, each meticulously
polished and displayed.
Her bedroom was decorated like a dream.
My own room had been converted into her
dance studio. I slept on a fold–out bed,
setting it up only after she finished practicing.
Everything in this house revolved around her.
I still remembered the effort I’d put into
making it a home, a home she abandoned
without a second thought for her newly
rediscovered father.
After Chloe was born, John and his mother
kicked me out before I even left the hospital.
They wanted me to give her up for adoption.
That’s when I realized how deeply sexist they
were.
I refused, and they harassed me relentlessly.
Heartbroken, I asked for a divorce.
They used my postpartum weakness against me, taking Chloe to force me into signing
away everything.
く
She was my everything. I’d never been apart
from her. Hearing her desperate cries, tears
streaming down my face, I agreed to their
terms.
I gave up everything for my daughter’s and
my own freedom. Not just our shared assets,
but everything I owned before the marriage
too.
And Chloe thought I was the one who deprived her? That I kept her from a “better
life” with her father? That I made her take
dance for my ego?
She didn’t know he wanted to give her away.
If it wasn’t for me, she might have ended up
abandoned somewhere. If it wasn’t for her, I
wouldn’t have lost everything.
<
I gave everything, and all I got was
resentment. What a pathetic life I lived.
Thank God for this second chance. This time,
I would live for myself.
With that thought, I called Chloe.
It rang for a long time before she answered,
her voice dripping with annoyance.
“What do you want?”
“I told you not to bother me and Dad. We’re
spending time together.”
“I’m not going to that stupid dance camp!
You can’t control me anymore!”
Dod loft
You’re a
“No wonder Dad left you. You’re a
controlling, disgusting old woman. No man
99
would ever want you.”
“Don’t you ever try to force me to do
anything again!”
Even though I had already decided to let her
go, hearing those words stung.
I took a deep breath, pushing down the pain.
“Don’t worry,” I said, “I won’t force you to do
anything ever again.”
Chloe’s voice was suspicious. “Really? You’d
just let me do what I want?” She paused, then
gave a sarcastic laugh. “Fine then, I don’t
want to go to the stupid dance competition
<
“Whether you compete or not is your
decision,” I said calmly.
She was taken aback.
“Come home and get your things,” I continued. “I’m selling the house.”
She scoffed. “So you’re just trying to trick me into coming home! You’re selling the house to
force me back?”
“Dream on!”
She was convinced I was manipulating her.
The insults continued.
I hung up.
