Chapter 3

The moment we stepped inside, Harris rushed into Daniel’s arms, crying about how much he missed his "heroic dad."

Meanwhile, I had to follow behind him, picking up his dirty clothes and toys scattered all over the floor.

No matter how many times I asked, neither this father nor his son would ever put their dirty laundry in the hamper.

Trash on the floor, stains on the table, and constant demands for me to fetch them things...

Their pickiness about food was pushing me to my absolute limit.

In the scorching heat of summer, the two of them lounged on the couch, eating cold watermelon I had sliced for them, enjoying the AC.

While I was sweating bullets in the kitchen, cooking their dinner.

When would this life ever end?

At 5:30 PM, I set the table and called them to eat.

Daniel was glued to his phone, playing mobile games. He glanced at the table and let out a mocking sneer.

"This is what you’re feeding us? Are you kidding me?"

I looked at the table, utterly speechless.

I had made pan-seared steak, lobster mac and cheese, and a fresh salmon salad. This was a high-end meal, and he was scoffing at it? Did he even deserve this?

"Kidding you? If you don't like it, cook it yourself next time."

Daniel crossed his legs and slouched in his chair.

"I just made one comment. Why are you acting like a psycho? Are you going through menopause early?"

I ignored him, fixed myself a plate, and started eating. I had been working all day, and my head was pounding.

After Daniel finished his game, he barked an order, and Harris quickly sat down, waiting for me to serve him.

Because of how Harris had behaved earlier today, I purposely ignored him, wanting him to reflect on his actions.

But Daniel immediately went on the attack. "Harris, don't grow up to be like your mother. She’s a useless freeloader who only knows how to stuff her own face."

"Always carrying a resting bitch face. Who are you trying to intimidate?"

"You only care about yourself. Can't you see Harris is too small to reach the plates? Serve him!"

"Always so stingy, counting every penny. You wouldn't even buy him a toy."

"It's good for a kid to have desires. Why do you always have to crush his spirit?"

Harris rested his chin in his tiny hands, looking at his dad with pure adoration.

Daniel went on and on, accusing me as if I were some kind of abusive mother.

I interrupted him coldly. "The toy Harris wanted cost two hundred dollars."

Daniel choked. He clearly hadn't expected a toy to be that expensive. He quickly changed the subject to save face.

"Oh, so now you're throwing money in my face? Are you still looking down on me because I don't have a degree and come from a poor family?"

"Let me tell you something, Aurora. This is your life now."

"You're lucky Harris and I can tolerate a mentally unstable woman like you."

Harris wiggled his arms, looking at Daniel with puppy dog eyes. "Chloe has that toy. Why can't I have it? I'm a boy! It's not fair!"