My husband, Jeremy, wanted to transfer the ownership of the school district house under my name to the nanny, Emma, so her son, James, could go to school.

Our daughter, Nina, had a fever and is vomiting, but he was busy taking Emma and James to visit an expensive private kindergarten.

I didn't understand why he cared so much for a child who was not even likable, even ignoring our once-beloved daughter.

Until I accidentally heard him crying and scolding that child. "You're useless, and it's your mom who suffers. I pity your mom, so I have to be strict with you. Do you understand?"

***

"Daddy, please wake me up early tomorrow! I can't wait to bring the baby birds home!"

Nina's eyes sparkled with excitement for the next day's plans.

A month ago, Jeremy promised to take her to the pet market to buy a pair of birds for Children's Day.

But now he looked troubled.

"Nina, I need to help James with his studies tomorrow. Can Mommy take you?"

James was the son of the nanny I hired, Emma.

"No, Daddy! We promised to go as a family and welcome our new members together! You're breaking your promise!"

When she heard Daddy was backing out, her expression immediately dulled.

"Honey, it's not right to break promises to a child. Let's go early and come back in time to help James, okay?"

"Ugh, I've planned out his entire day with poems, English, and math. If we delay, he won't finish."

Nina's face crumpled with sadness, tears brimming in her eyes.

"Does he need to learn so much when he hasn't even started elementary school? You've hardly spent time with Nina this past month, focusing only on his son!"

Seeing my daughter's drooping face ignited a wave of anger in me.

"Ava, James is struggling. If I hadn't hired Emma, he wouldn't have gotten into kindergarten. Do you need to argue with me about this?"

"What are you talking about, Jeremy? They stay here without paying for food or rent, and I'm paying Emma much more than market price. Is this what you want, to turn your daughter's father into their private property?"

Nina finally broke down, crying.

"Wah— I only have one daddy. Mommy, don't give Daddy away! I can't bear to lose him!"

Jeremy snatched her from my arms, grumbling as he walked out, "Ava, what nonsense are you saying? Look how scared Nina is!"

"Kids' matters are serious; can't you see what's important? Why argue with a child for affection?"

I stood there, stunned and furious.

The next day, I took Nina to the pet market by myself.

We played with puppies and kittens, fed fluffy rabbits, and saw scary lizards and snakes; we had a great time.

In the end, Nina chose a pair of silly little birds.

One was snow white, and the other was silver gray; she named them "Little White" and "Little Gray."

As soon as we entered the house, Nina shouted excitedly, "Daddy, come look!," carefully cradling the cage, afraid to shake them.

Jeremy also came out, excited.

But he was holding James' hand.

"Daddy, look at my Little White and Little Gray! Aren't they cute? They can even eat sunflower seeds and..."

Nina eagerly introduced her new friends, but Jeremy interrupted her.

"Nina, James did a great job today; he memorized a poem this afternoon. Impressive, right?"

"James, quickly recite it for Auntie and your sister!"

James stuttered through the poem.

"Thousands of mountains, birds fly away, ten thousand paths, no one... trace... that, that..."

"Lonely boat, straw hat man, fishing alone on the cold river. Daddy, this poem is so simple; isn't it just a few readings?"

"You don't know how much fun I had with Mommy today! We saw so many interesting animals, and..."

"Nina, who taught you to be so rude?"

"James is reciting; how can you interrupt someone speaking?"

Nina had never seen her daddy be so stern; her joy faded immediately, leaving her looking shocked at the father who usually doted on her.

Jeremy had insisted we'd never be "killjoy parents" , always careful to protect our daughter's innocence, but now...

"Jeremy, isn't it you who keeps interrupting Nina?"

"Doesn't Nina deserve respect too?"

James' mother, Emma, heard the commotion and came out to mediate, "The kids are here; let's keep it down."

Then she immediately turned to me, "Sister, it's men who educate kids; we women shouldn't interfere. You should soften your stance; he's quick to anger but gets over it fast, and he won't hold grudges..."

I was extremely annoyed and didn't let her finish; I took my daughter and pushed past her, stomping back to my room.

Speaking of which, it was actually my idea to bring Emma and James to live with us.

Emma was the daughter of Jeremy's childhood neighbor, who had moved away over a decade ago.

My mother-in-law met her when she returned to her hometown recently; Emma was being forced out by her sister-in-law.

Her husband had a drinking problem, and he died from a drunken fall into a ditch, yet my in-laws blamed her for "killing" him, and they kicked her and her son out.

They kicked her and her son out.

"Emma used to be so capable, but she married a man who beat her. Finally, she outlived that terrible man, but now she has nowhere to go; it's so pitiful."

My mother-in-law lamented.

After hearing that, I felt a stirring in my heart.

My mother-in-law had been tirelessly taking care of our family, but as she ages, I didn't want her to keep working so hard.

Recently, I had been considering hiring a nanny.

I had always been generous towards women in temporary difficulties, and since Emma was a pitiful person I knew well, I thought it would be good to give her a chance. It would also provide her and her son a place to stay.

When I brought it up, my mother-in-law agreed, but Jeremy frowned.

"I saw that woman's son a couple of years ago; he seemed silly and impolite. If he moves in, Nina will definitely feel uncomfortable. You always want to be the good person!"

Jeremy rarely spoke harshly to me, so I was a bit taken aback and said, "I just feel sorry for them being a single mother and son; why are you being so harsh?"

My mother-in-law then criticized Jeremy. "Ava has a good heart; she's just trying to help. If it doesn't work out, she can find another job and leave. Why are you so upset? I see you're just itching for trouble."

Jeremy came back to himself, adopting his usual warm and calm demeanor. "Hey, babe, I was too harsh. You're kind-hearted, so let's follow your arrangement on this, okay?"