At my daughter’s birthday party, my husband didn’t even notify me—instead, he showed up with his secretary.

He said I looked sloppy, nothing like a proper mother, and that if people saw me, they would laugh at our daughter.

For the sake of Emma’s social image, I swallowed my anger.

But just a few days later, at Emma’s award ceremony, I watched my five-year-old daughter play Dreams of Love on the piano and dedicate it to her “aunt.”

“This piece is for Daddy and Aunt Chloe,” Emma said.

That very same piece was the one Daniel Carter used to play for me every day when he was courting me.

At that moment, I felt an emptiness so sharp that I brought up divorce.

Daniel looked at me in disbelief.

“Just because of one song, you want to leave me and our daughter?”

“Yes. Just because of one song.”

…

As soon as the words left my lips, Daniel slammed the table hard.

He had always been a workaholic, never having time for me.

Even when I brought up divorce, he discussed it with me while half-absorbed in a business meeting.

“Are you done yet? Every time I’m at my busiest, instead of helping me, you dump a pile of problems on me.”

“Enough. I have a meeting to attend. Go upstairs and be with Emma.”

Chloe Miller trailed behind Daniel step by step.

“Madam, today’s meeting is very important. That U.S. company is still waiting!”

“I know you’re upset, but you can’t let this affect the boss.”

Her words, laced with reproach, made it sound as though I was simply stirring up trouble.

They had their own careers, while I was the only one trapped at home.

My throat tightened, and even my own voice sounded foreign to me.

“You just need to sign the papers.”

They seemed unable—or unwilling—to understand what I was asking for, and instead looked at me with strange eyes.

Daniel’s lips curved into a mocking smile.

“Sophia Carter, stop making a scene.”

“You’re just upset that Emma played a piece for Chloe. But think about it—Chloe is the one who’s always with her. Isn’t it natural Emma feels close to her?”

His words stabbed into my chest like a knife.

Did he really think I didn’t want to be close to my own daughter?

After I became pregnant with Emma, Daniel was badly injured, the damage leaving him with fertility problems.

When Emma was born, my in-laws took her away, claiming it was to give me and Daniel time to bond and then quickly try for a son who could one day inherit the family estate.

For years, I was forced to drink bitter herbal medicines, enduring their constant scorn. How could I have time to bond with Emma?

Clutching the hem of my clothes tightly, I said firmly,

“I want a divorce. I don’t want anything—not even custody of the child. All you need to do is sign.”

Daniel froze, clearly not expecting me to say that.

His expression darkened, anger flickering in his eyes.

“Sophia, do you even know what you’re saying?”

“I don’t have time to argue with you. The company needs me—I’m leaving.”

Chloe cast me a triumphant look.

“Madam, you really shouldn’t throw around divorce so casually. You don’t have a job, and the CEO is working this hard just to give you and Emma a good life.”

“That U.S. company is still waiting for us. We’re leaving.”

Once again, I blocked the doorway.

“I told you, the divorce agreement must be signed today. I don’t care how important the deal is. If you don’t sign, you’re not leaving.”

Just then, a figure appeared.

Mr. Robert Collins, who had been in the piano room, walked out.

His face showed discomfort, and when he looked at me, there was clear impatience in his eyes.

“Madam, forgive me for being blunt, but please stop making a fuss.

Whenever Emma had piano lessons, it was always Ms. Chloe who accompanied her. Whenever Emma struggled, it was Ms. Chloe who comforted her.

Now that Emma has won a prize, of course she wants to thank Ms. Chloe. After all, it’s just one piano piece.

If you don’t spend time with your child, it’s natural she won’t feel close to you. As long as you start being there for her, she will recognize your efforts.”

Mr. Collins was Emma’s piano teacher.

Emma had loved piano music since she was little. Daniel once said it was because she inherited it from me, and he smiled so happily when he said that.

When Emma was three, Daniel hired Mr. Collins, one of the best piano teachers, for her.

At first, I accompanied Emma during practice, but every time she saw me, she would cry and fuss.

I could only watch her secretly from a distance.

Mr. Collins had often comforted me, telling me that Emma was simply too young and that once she got used to me, things would be different.

But now, even he stood on their side to reproach me.

Daniel let out a cold laugh.

“Mr. Collins, why waste your breath on her? All these years she hasn’t really cared for Emma. When Emma was barely born, she was already pestering me to have another child, a little brother for her.

Now Emma doesn’t like her—it’s only natural. She never spent time with the child, so why does she expect the child to be close to her?”

A flicker of sorrow crossed Daniel’s eyes, but it quickly turned into scorn.

“Sophia, even Mr. Collins says so. Can’t you stop being so paranoid?

Do you really have to scream about divorce and accuse Chloe over something so trivial?”

I lowered my gaze. I thought I had been strong enough—

Strong enough to face this pair who acted more like a couple than husband and wife.

But against their accusations, my heart still ached unbearably.

I opened my mouth but couldn’t find any words.

Just then, a rapid “thud-thud-thud” came from the stairs—someone was running down.

“Bad Mommy, I hate you!”

“Daddy, hurry up and sign the papers! I never wanted this mommy anyway!”

It was Emma. She rushed down from her room, clutching her doll, her small body like a cannonball aimed straight at me.

I almost lost my balance and fell.

Emma planted her hands on her hips, glaring at me like a stubborn little calf.

“Don’t you dare blame Aunt Chloe! I played that piece for her because she loves it.

You don’t understand anything about music—you wouldn’t appreciate such an elegant piano piece even if I played it for you!

Not like Aunt Chloe—this Dreams of Love is practically written just for her!”

Her words stabbed into my mind like needles.

Daniel frowned, his tone soft as he tried to coax her.

“Emma, apologize to your mother. She’s upset today because you played that piece for Aunt Chloe.

If Mommy doesn’t forgive you, she might leave this home—leave us.”

Emma pouted and shook her head.

“I don’t care. That song was for Aunt Chloe. If Mommy wants to leave, let her leave.”

Her eyes suddenly lit up as she looked at Chloe.

“If Mommy leaves, then let Aunt Chloe be my new mommy. Everyone likes Aunt Chloe, and they’ll all be jealous of me.”

“Last time, on Children’s Day, Aunt Chloe came to pick me up from kindergarten. The other kids even asked if she was my mom. I like Aunt Chloe. I want her to be my mommy.”

So it was Chloe who had been picking Emma up all along?

That Children’s Day, I spent hours preparing a cake and went to the kindergarten to fetch her—only to find she wasn’t there.

I stood there, holding that cake, from three-thirty in the afternoon until eight at night.

When I finally returned home, Daniel and Emma were happily chatting about their dinner.

Daniel told me he had taken her out to celebrate, and I said nothing more.

But now I realized… it had been with Chloe.

The three of them looked every bit the perfect little family.

People say children speak without filter, but every word Emma said was the truth in her heart.

She truly didn’t want me as her mother.

Daniel and Chloe exchanged a look, their eyes filled with a silent understanding.

The sight of it sickened me.

Chloe took Emma’s little hand and crouched down to coax her.

“Emma, you mustn’t say that about your mother. Even though she hasn’t been around much, she still loves you very much.

Don’t you remember? The cross necklace on your wrist—your mother went to the church to pray for you and brought it back.”

Emma glanced at the necklace tied around her wrist and let out a cold snort.

She tore it off, threw it to the ground, and stomped on it twice.

“She only gives me worthless things like this. Don’t think I don’t know—she went to that church to pray for a baby boy. She doesn’t love me, she only wants a son!”

Emma had once been gravely ill, and that necklace was something I had prayed for, climbing step by step up to a chapel on the hill, bowing my head with every step.

By the time I returned, Emma had recovered.

I had rushed to embrace her with joy, only to be met with her cold little face.

Later, I learned it was my in-laws who told her that I hadn’t prayed for her recovery but for another child.

Although Emma was upset, she eventually accepted the necklace after my explanation.

I thought she had believed me.

Now I realized, I had been terribly wrong.

That necklace, cast to the ground and trampled beneath her feet, felt like my own heart discarded and crushed.

My eyes stung with unshed tears.

Daniel shot me a glance, then turned to Chloe.

“Chloe, tell her to apologize to her mother.”

Chloe froze for a moment, then forced a smile.

“Emma, didn’t Aunt Chloe tell you not to treat Mommy that way?

Yes, Mommy might have wanted a boy, she might favor sons over daughters, but she still loves you, and it’s still for your own good.

Do it for me—just apologize to Mommy. Daddy still has work, and tomorrow Aunt Chloe will take you out to play.”

She winked at Emma, and the two of them seemed to share some private understanding.

Emma had always been proud, never one to apologize easily—least of all now, when she hated me so deeply.

But to my surprise, she nodded at Chloe, then pursed her lips and said crisply,

“Mommy, I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. Please forgive me, okay?”

Her eyes still burned with resentment, but she no longer bared her teeth at me.

I found it bitterly ironic—my own child, filled with hate toward me, could be tamed into obedience with just a few words from another woman.