Mom’s whole body trembled. I felt miserable too.
Richard never liked me. Other kids had their dads at parent-teacher meetings, but he never once showed up for mine.
I always thought it was because I hadn’t done well enough—that I had upset him somehow.
By accident, I once overheard him say he liked obedient children.
So I tried my best to be quiet and cautious in front of him, but that only made me “a block of wood.”
No matter what I did, he and Mom both seemed doomed to be objects of his dislike.
“Richard, my daughter and I waited half the day for you. What does it mean that you’ve brought them back here?”
Mom, who had been silently holding back tears, finally burst out.
“Didn’t you once promise me you’d cut ties with Olivia Grant?”
“This is our home. Our daughter is still here. This isn’t some hotel!”
“Anyone who didn’t know better would think Olivia was just some woman you picked up outside.”
Her sarcasm made Richard’s face darken instantly.
“Say that again if you dare.”
It looked as if they were about to fight.
Olivia stepped forward, feigning gentleness.
“Richard, don’t fight with Linda. Don’t let me come between you two.”