Chapter 5
“Why?” Steven’s voice was hoarse, suppressing a storm. “Susan, these six years–why didn’t
call me?”
My tears fell.
you
“I was afraid.” I choked out, “Steven, I was afraid of you, afraid of your family, afraid of that world
behind you. I thought if I left you, I could give our daughter the most peaceful life. I didn’t want her
to be like me back then, having people point fingers and curse at her… I fought desperately to prove
that without you, I could still… but I lost. Lost completely. Calling you meant admitting that I… I couldn’t protect her at all…”
The car came to a sudden stop.
Steven whipped around, carefully settling Lily, then pulled me into his arms with all his strength.
His chest was burning hot, his heartbeat like thunder. “You didn’t lose.”
His chin rested against the top of my head, his voice filled with endless regret and heartache.
“I’m the one who lost. I’m the bastard! I’m the one who failed to protect you both! I’m the one who let my wife and daughter be humiliated by this trash!” He tightened his arms around me. “Susan, listen to me. From today on, if the sky falls, I’ll hold it up. Anyone who makes you shed a single tear -I’ll make them pay in blood.”
Steven’s car was very quiet.
Lily curled up in my arms, her small face pressed against my heart, finally showing some color in
her cheeks.
Outside the window, the street scene flew by in reverse, like a lifetime ago.
Just then, the phone rang, its tone cutting through the silence.
The screen showed two words: Principal.
I looked at Steven, thinking he would hang up directly, but unexpectedly, he pressed the speaker
button.
The principal’s false and oily voice came through the phone, carrying condescending “magnanimity“. “Ms. Manning, I can give you one more chance. Have your daughter Lily write a deep self–reflection, admitting that she lied and self–harmed to frame Linda, and I can consider
Chapter 5
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letting her come back to audit classes. As for your job… young people, impulsiveness comes with consequences. But as long as you cooperate, I might be able to explain to your company that this was just a misunderstanding.”
He paused, his tone full of charitable condescension. “After all, it’s not easy for a single mother with a child. If this gets messy, you won’t be able to show your face around here
I was shaking with rage, about to lash out, when Steven shook his head at me.
He picked up the phone, his voice calm and steady. “I’m Lily’s father.”
anymore.”
There was obvious confusion on the other end, followed by a sneer. “Father? Where were you before? Now you’re coming out to play hero? I don’t care who you are, but this matter, I advise
you…”
“Principal Richardson.” Steven interrupted him, his voice suddenly turning cold. “Last month, the Metropolitan Education Foundation made a targeted donation of three million dollars, specifically designated for your school’s library expansion. Is that money currently in the school’s account?”
Instant silence on the other end.
I could almost imagine the oily fat principal on the other end of the phone, his face changing dramatically, cold sweat pouring down.
After a full five seconds, the principal’s trembling voice finally came through, full of suspicion and fear. “You… who are you? How do you know about this?”
Steven sneered. “Who I am doesn’t matter. What matters is that I’m the one who donated that money. Now, bring Linda and Director Anderson to your Advanced Mathematics Competition office and wait for me. I’m giving you fifteen minutes. I’m coming over to teach you what rules really mean. And to discuss with you what happens when you abuse your position and misappropriate
public funds.”
Steven hung up directly and tossed the phone back to me.
Without another word, the car made a vicious U–turn, tires screeching against the pavement,
speeding back in the direction we had just come from.
Chapter 5
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