Mom pinned me down, roughly digging the candy Dad had given me right out of my mouth. Then she turned to Dad and said, “All your sweetness, it’s just for me! No one, absolutely no one, can steal your love from me!” Dad picked Mom up in his arms. “You’re my one and only princess.” Eight-year-old me stood up, trembling, tears streaming down my face. Dad had promised me, if I kept quiet about Brittany, I’d get candy every single day. Bang! The door to Mom and Dad’s bedroom slammed shut. Mom’s cries echoed from inside, a constant stream of pleading. Was Dad hitting Mom again? Just this afternoon, he’d promised me he’d only ‘hit’ Brittany from now on, never Mom. I looked out the window. It was already dark. Half an hour later, they emerged. Mom’s clothes were torn and disheveled. Her face was flushed, covered in red marks, yet she smiled at me and said, “Mommy’s so tired, no dinner tonight. There’s instant ramen in the cupboard; just make yourself something.” Dad gave her a doting look. “You should rest if you’re tired. I’m going to work overtime tonight. Didn’t you say you wanted a new bag? My overtime pay should definitely cover it.” Mom laughed, cupped Dad’s face, and gave him a big kiss. “You’re the best, honey!” Then, she looked at me with a triumphant smirk. “See? Dad’s mine. He buys me bags, not you.” My jaw dropped, staring at her in disbelief. Had Mom gone crazy? She took a shower, then went straight to bed. I pulled up a stool to the kitchen counter, filling the kettle and setting it to boil. Dad looked utterly exhausted as he walked over to me. He slipped a candy into my hand. “Smart girl, you gotta hide this one well! Don’t let Mom find it.” I happily tucked the candy into my pocket, nodding enthusiastically. He playfully tapped my nose. “Remember our deal, okay? Don’t ever tell Mom about your tutor, Brittany. Be a good girl, and tomorrow Dad will give you chocolate.” Then, he left. Dad worked so hard. I filled a thermos with hot water for him, planning to catch him before he drove off so he could take it to work. Good, Dad hadn’t driven away yet. Wait… why was Brittany also in the car?
I crept quietly to the car window and heard Brittany and Dad chatting. Dad had his head buried in Brittany’s neck. “Don’t be mad, it’s all my fault. But what could I do?” Brittany’s eyes were red as she kept pushing him away. “You were just with me all afternoon, and you still went and touched her?” “I didn’t want to, but you didn’t see her! God, it was sickening. She’s so old, still trying to act like a young girl, batting her eyelashes. If I don’t give in, she just clings to me forever.” Brittany started crying. “How much longer do we have to live like this? When are you finally going to divorce her?” Dad pulled her into a tight hug. “Soon, soon, I promise. Don’t worry.” Brittany looked up and suddenly saw me in the rearview mirror. She shrieked, a sound that pierced my eardrums. “You… what are you doing here?” Dad quickly pushed Brittany away, opened his door, and rushed out to me. “Cherry, what are you doing here?” I was startled too, tears welling up in my eyes. I held up the thermos. “Dad, I boiled some hot water. I wanted to bring it to you, I was afraid you’d forget to drink water while working overtime tonight.” Dad finally let out a sigh of relief and smiled. “Oh, that’s what it is. Does Mom know you came out?” I shook my head. Dad cupped my cheek. “Dad’s office has hot water, don’t worry. Take this back and drink it yourself. Brittany has some errands, and I’m just giving her a ride.” Just then, Brittany got out of the car too. “Cherry? Oh my goodness, you scared me! Have you eaten? Here, this is for you.” She handed me a bag containing an exquisite strawberry cake. “Just remember our little secret, okay? Tell them your dad bought it for you.” I stared intently at the cake inside, nodding happily. Then, Dad opened the trunk and handed me two bags. “This is the dress you need for your performance tomorrow. Your teacher said pink, so take it home. The other one is for Mom.” Wait, that’s not right. I thought I heard earlier… The other dress was too big for Brittany, and she complained the material was itchy. But she didn’t want to bother with returns, so she just left it. Adults are so strange. How did it become a dress for Mom?
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