Chapter 1

My son George practiced magic for two months just to perform on stage with his dad for Children's Day.

I stayed up three nights sewing matching capes for the father-son duo.

In the pocket of the larger cape, my son secretly tucked a lollipop, saying it was a reward for Dad.

Two hours before the performance, Mason said his first love's daughter also had a show at her kindergarten, and no one was going.

I told him his son had been waiting for two months.

He was already grabbing his car keys. "I'll just take a quick look and come right back. Tell him I went to the bathroom."

I asked what if he didn't come back.

He paused for a moment. "You'll be there, won't you?"

When the curtain rose, the large cape was neatly draped over an empty chair, the lollipop still in the pocket.

My son stood alone under the spotlight and said, "My magic trick is called—The Disappearing Dad."

Not a single person in the audience could laugh.

On the way home, my son finished that lollipop himself and asked me,

"Mom, if I disappear too, then Dad won't have to choose anymore, right?"

I held his hand and said with a smile,

"Mom will perform a big magic trick with you."