Chapter 4
The next morning, I placed a simple breakfast of bread and jam on the expensive table.
Bruce, fresh from his morning routine, couldn’t hide his disgust.
He struggled to swallow the bland breakfast, his eyes meeting mine, full of hope.
With a moment’s hesitation, he took a bite, only to spit it out immediately, his face contorting in disgust.
I secretly chuckled inside; this was my specially crafted culinary disaster, designed to be unpalatable.
When he finally recovered from the taste, he frowned and scolded, “Where did you get this breakfast? It’s awful. You’re old enough to buy something decent.”
Then, noticing my unfit school uniform, he asked with irritation, “I gave you money to spend as you see fit. Can’t you buy a new uniform? You’re embarrassing me by going out like that.”
At this point, Helen, who was awakened by the commotion, leaned lazily against the railing. Her pregnant belly was prominently visible. She watched the scene unfold with amusement. She probably thought I was getting another round of scolding.
My lips curled into a slight smile, though I made sure my face wore a mask of grievance. Inside, however, I was thrilled. “Everyone’s here. Showtime
Tears welled up in my eyes effortlessly, falling like pearls, evoking sympathy from anyone who looked my way.
I met Bruce’s gaze with a wronged expression, sniffling before I spoke.
‘Dad, don’t blame Helen, but she took my money. Oops! Helen said not to tell you. Helen, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to let it slip. Please don’t make me leave?
3:33 PM
<
I wailed as if I’d accidentally let something slip, apologizing fearfully to Helen.
The act was flawless. I burst into soft sobs, apologizing repeatedly and pleading not to be thrown out. It was a great performance.
Perhaps moved by my act, or maybe just fed up with Helen’s arrogance, Bruce turned to Helen and harshly rebuked, “You’re not my wife yet. If you don’t give me a son, get lost!”
The words were like music to my ears.
In a conciliatory gesture, he handed me his card.
Observing Helen’s barely contained fury, I acted as if I was taking the card with great reluctance, which only prompted Bruce to scoff.
“Petty,” he muttered.
I accepted his scolding, though the corners of my mouth betrayed me, rising with a joy that was tough to contain.
I assumed Helen would keep a low profile for some time after the incident; after all, one would think even the most brazen would want to preserve some semblance of dignity.
However, as I should have anticipated, the vigor of a mistress, particularly one who had successfully become pregnant, was limitless.
The very next day, she struck back.
She mixed crushed peanuts into my breakfast, knowing full well I had a mild peanut allergy, right before my school placement exams.
I laughed coldly to myself and “accidentally” spilled the oatmeal all over her pregnant belly.
The autumn air did cool the oatmeal’s heat.
But the sudden sensation on her skin made her jump in fright, and like many pregnant women, her pelvic floor muscles gave way, causing her to wet herself.
Her face flushed crimson. Bruce, standing just a few feet away, looked at her with clear disgust before turning away and walking out of the room. Her fingers turned white as she clutched her skirt.
A week later, she decided to hit back by paying my classmates to bully me.
It was hilarious. What she didn’t know was that I wasn’t just another student. I was the class president, elected unanimously.
I took the money and treated the entire class to a barbecue instead.
We all ate to our heart’s content, laughing.
Two weeks later, Helen, despite her pregnancy, tried something even more desperate. She staged a fall, blatantly attempting to frame me for causing her to slip.
I just felt confused. Then, I pointed upwards to the three newly installed cameras on the ceiling that provided full coverage with no blind spots.
I mentally asked, “Are you a fool?”
Her pupils contracted in panic as she realized her little performance had been captured on camera. Without a word, she got up as if nothing had happened.
After all that fuss, I was unscathed, but the fallout was even more bitter for her.
My unfaithful father became even less inclined to come home.
Now, Helen was confined at home, her pregnancy keeping her mostly indoors, while Bruce continued to make out with other women outside.
I went to school each day with a spring; I even played the part of the dutiful child in front of Bruce, charming him into driving me to school himself. As a result, everyone at school knew that my dad was a powerful man with money, influence, and prestige, making it even less likely for anyone to dare mess with me.
