When I woke up with my daughter snuggled against me, I turned on the phone.
To my surprise, Jason’s call came in immediately.
“Wow, Emma, you actually decided to pick up the phone? I thought you were dead!”
“Jason, when it comes to things involving other people, you never do anything, do you? I’m at the old house, packing things up. And instead of caring whether I had an accident or not, you’re blaming me. Are you even human?”
“Packing things up? And What accident possibly could happen? I think you just don’t want to send me the money. You’re doing this intentionally.”
“Yes, I don’t want to send you any money. Jason, listen carefully. From now on, don’t even think about getting a single penny from me.” I said in a serious tone.
Jason sensed the seriousness in my tone, and instantly, his voice softened.
“Emma, stop being angry. I know it’s been unfair to ask you to pack everything alone. When you get here, I’ll make it up to you. Okay? Now, tell me, are you still at the old house? I’ll come pick you up. I even bought a gift for Ava. She’s going to love it.”
Always the same excuse. Whenever Every time I got angry, he’d use Ava as an excuse and throw the narrative that kids need a complete family to be happy.
But in reality, Ava was six years old, and the most expensive gift Jason had ever given her was a 99–yuan crystal hairband, which he later asked me to reimburse for it..
What kind of father was that?
“Where are you now? I’ll come pick you up.” His voice echoed again.
“No need, I’ve already arrived home.”
“You’re home? Why didn’t I see you?” Jason sounded puzzled.
“Ha, I’m at my home. What does it have to do with you? You all just stay there and figure out how to get in the door. I’m done with this.”
“Emma, what are you going crazy about now? Didn’t you always say the old house was too small, that you wanted to move to a new house? We’ve all come here, You won’t open the door, and you leave your whole family and run off. What’s your deal?”
“You make my daughter live in the basement, while an outsider and her son take the best room. What’s your problem?”
“I knew it, you’re still upset about that.” Jason sighed, his voice placating.“Please, Emma, stop being unreasonable. So what if Ava’s in the basement? What’s the big deal? Basements are livable.”
I couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief.
