Guilt gnawed at me. I’d been so focused on work that I’d neglected what mattered most — my daughter. Realizing that, I promised myself I’d take some time off and spend it with her. Maybe a trip would help her unwind.
I tried calling my wife to tell her to come home, but she brushed me off.
"I’m busy. I started a new business with a friend. You take care of Zera."
A new business? This was the first I’d heard of it. Then again, I remembered she’d always kept me in the dark about her plans.
Two years ago, she suddenly brought Astrid home, saying the poor girl reminded her of Zera. She claimed she wanted to give Zera a companion, someone to grow up with. I’d been against the idea at first. Sponsoring the girl was one thing, but bringing her into our home was another.
However, my wife wouldn’t budge. We fought about it for days. Yet in the end, I gave in for the sake of our marriage.
But the moment Astrid arrived at our home, she demanded to swap rooms with Zera upon taking a liking to it. She also took Zera’s favorite snacks without asking, acting like she belonged here more than Zera did.