1 After Dad’s affair, Mom used a steel wool pad to scrub him clean every single night. She’d spray disinfectant on his raw, bleeding back, muttering frantically. “Filthy, so filthy, Brandon Davies, you’re so filthy.” Dad’s face was ashen with pain, but his eyes were filled with guilt, and he didn't move a muscle. He looked at me, completely bewildered, and spoke softly. “Dad made a mistake, what Mom’s doing is right.” But on my birthday, Dad asked to take a shower by himself. Mom, who was just slicing my cake, froze, then tore at Dad’s clothes like a madwoman. “Are you screwing that student of yours, Scarlett Reed, again?! Is she so desperate she can’t live without you?!” “And you’re just as pathetic, ignoring what you have for free at home, willing to cause a scandal just to sleep with some tramp!” After the eighteenth slap from Mom, Dad finally lost it, revealing a gash on his arm. “I got hurt checking machinery at the plant, almost lost an arm, and you don’t care! All you care about is who I’m sleeping with! When is it going to end?!” “Even if Scarlett isn’t ‘clean,’ she’s better than you! At least she didn’t get tangled up with her step-brother at a young age! I want to sleep with her, so what?!” The candles snuffed out without warning, plunging our quarters into darkness. Mom’s hand dropped limply, the light in her eyes fading with it. I knew then. Mom was truly tired. She was letting go. … The dry air was thick with a deathly silence. Dad was the first to react. He yanked the pull cord, and the dim, yellow light flickered, casting swaying shadows. He instinctively reached for Mom, but his hand met empty air. “My bad, I misspoke.” “The machine broke down today, I went to fix it and got hurt. I didn’t want you to worry, that’s why I wanted to shower alone.” “Don’t believe me? See for yourself, am I clean? No other woman’s perfume, right?” Mom’s step-brother had been a little boy her family took in, two years older than her. Little Mom was ecstatic, cheering that she finally had a big brother. But when he grew up, he pinned Mom down, telling her she was going to be his. It was Dad, passing by, who gallantly rescued Mom and promised to keep quiet. Yet now, it was Dad who brought it all out into the open. Mom said nothing, turning to reheat the cold food in the steamer. Dad finally realized he was two hours later than usual. Two hours. A very particular number. That day, Dad was two hours late, and Mom was frantic, searching for him in the pouring rain. Through the control room window, she saw Dad and Scarlett Reed intertwined. I was on Mom’s back, giggling foolishly. “Dad’s on Aunt Scarlett just like me! Is it a game?” “Dad’s like a puppy, having so much fun with Aunt Scarlett.” Mom covered my eyes, ordering me to look down. All I remember from that day was the heavy rain, the incessant thunder. Mom carried me back, crying harder than the rain. Dad remembered too, his face paling. He stammered. “I’m sorry, it really was an emergency at the plant.” “I promise, things like that won’t happen again. We’ll live a good life.” Mom stood with her back to Dad, silent. Dad thought she had conceded, letting out a long sigh of relief. He changed his clothes and sat back down, his arm already treated. “Happy birthday, little star. And here’s to many more happy returns for us.” Many happy returns, year after year. These were Dad and Mom’s wedding vows; they repeated them every year. Mom didn’t finish the second half, just kept piling food onto my plate. Dad sighed, pulling out two beautifully wrapped gifts. A pair of pearl earrings and a doll. “Bought these on my business trip down south. You two will love them.” I was overjoyed, still secretly glancing at Mom’s expression. Mom nodded at me, signaling it was okay to accept. Dad’s eyes lit up. He gently, carefully fastened one earring onto Mom. As he reached for the other side, the door was pounded on, rattling the whole house. “Mr. Davies, hurry! The data’s wrong, Scarlett Reed’s stuck in the machine again!” Dad’s hand slipped, the sharp earring stud piercing Mom’s earlobe. Blood welled up. Mom gasped in pain, tears welling in her eyes. He quickly pulled out a handkerchief to press against Mom’s wound, speaking as he headed for the door. “Something’s wrong at the plant, I need to go.” We all knew. It wasn’t the plant that was in trouble. It was Scarlett Reed. Dad’s injury? Also from protecting Scarlett Reed. Mom stared at the handkerchief, lost in thought. A rose was embroidered on it – Scarlett Reed’s favorite flower. After a long moment, Mom gave a soft, bitter laugh. She stroked my head, whispering an apology. “Mom messed up your sixth birthday, didn’t she?” “But Mom really can’t keep going. Mom’s going to divorce Dad.” Mom brought me to the courthouse the next day. Dad hadn’t come home all night, and Mom hadn’t slept a wink. She clutched a small red booklet, taking a while to grasp what the clerk was saying. “Are you saying this certificate is fake? That Brandon Davies and I aren’t married?” The clerk, a kind-faced older woman, sighed sympately. “I’ve checked multiple times. Brandon Davies’s marital status is indeed married, but the spouse isn’t you. It’s someone named Scarlett Reed.” “They registered a year ago with a certificate from the factory.” A year ago. That’s when Scarlett Reed had been living with us for three months. When Mom brought her home, Scarlett had not a single unbruised spot on her body. Mom said she was a poor soul, and Dad and I needed to be kind to her. Privately, I’d heard Dad complain that Scarlett was a lost girl with no parents, and living with us would be bad for my development. That was the first time I saw Mom truly angry at Dad. She said he was disrespecting women, and made him promise to treat Scarlett like a sister. Later, Scarlett recovered and clung to Dad, becoming his apprentice. Mom was even happy, glad Scarlett found a good path, and that Dad had let go of his prejudice. But no one expected everything to spin out of control later. Dad came home early today. Seeing the empty table, he raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t get to finish dinner with you two yesterday. Tonight, I’ll take you out to eat.” Mom didn’t move. She pointed at the wedding photo on the wall. “Brandon Davies, when did your heart change?” “Was it a year ago, or the first time you saw Scarlett Reed?” The photo on the wall was yellowed, curling at the edges. Dad’s face was stiff, Mom’s lips pressed into a thin line. But in Dad and Scarlett Reed’s photo, both were smiling radiantly. Dad first paused, then burst out laughing. “You’re mad at me over this? If you want to take pictures, we can go right now.” “Scarlett, she’s young but smart. Such talent shouldn’t be wasted. Marrying her was just for a spot at the plant.” “It’s just a piece of paper. If you mind, I’ll divorce her immediately.” I tugged at Mom’s sleeve, asking innocently. “Is that why I can’t go to school?” Dad stiffened, a flicker of embarrassment on his face. I was well past school age, but every time Mom took me to enroll, the school staff would say I didn’t meet the requirements. Mom had run around aimlessly for ages, wearing out two pairs of shoes. She had pulled strings, asking around, only to get one answer. “Is your husband’s identity correct? Please check again before coming back.” Mom thought it was because Dad worked for a classified unit that I couldn’t go to school. Turns out, my dad wasn’t my dad. I was illegitimate, a ghost child with no official papers. Mom held me gently, saying nothing. Dad cleared his throat twice, softening his tone. “Once Scarlett gets her promotion, I’ll divorce her. Then I’ll send little star to the best school. Can you wait a little longer, please?” Mom avoided Dad’s embrace, lifting her gaze calmly. “You never developed feelings for Scarlett Reed? You were just helping?” Dad nodded, pulling us into a tight hug. “Don’t worry. In my heart, there’s only you and little star.” I covered my nose, scowling at Dad. The scent on his shoulder was Scarlett Reed’s perfume. Outside the door, Scarlett Reed, in a floral dress, bit her lip, her eyes red. “Brandon, I’m pregnant.” I looked up, not missing the fleeting surprise in Dad’s eyes. Scarlett Reed pushed a pregnancy diagnosis in front of Dad, her face conflicted. “I know you only married me to help me get the spot, and I won’t keep this child either.” “I only came to let the baby meet its father, after all, the doctor says it’s a boy.” Scarlett Reed’s tears traced paths down her fair cheeks, disappearing into the pearl necklace around her neck. It was a matching set with Mom’s earrings, but hers was more expensive. Scarlett Reed self-consciously covered her neck. “Brandon gave it to me for winning the competition. If you mind, honey, I won’t wear it.” Dad’s gaze was flustered. He opened his mouth to say something, but Mom cut him off. Mom calmly took off her earrings. “Since you wear my clothes, and you sleep with my man, if you’re so fond of hand-me-downs, then these earrings are yours too.” Scarlett Reed’s smile froze, then twisted into an even brighter one. She naturally took them, putting them on as she spoke. “You’re so generous, honey. Looks like Brandon was right to sleep with me. Compared to your slender figure, I clearly satisfy him more.” “After all, he said that no matter how much I mess around, I would never get involved with my own step-brother. In that regard, I’m much cleaner than you.” “Scarlett Reed! What rubbish are you spouting?! Get out!” Dad sharply stopped Scarlett Reed, shielding Mom. Scarlett Reed’s eyes reddened, and she turned and ran. Dad paused, then pretended to calmly explain to Mom. “It’s getting dark, she’s not safe alone.” “You two wait for me at home, I’ll be right back.” Mom’s hand was hidden under the table, already purple from where her fingernails had dug into her palm. I never expected Dad to use Mom’s secret as entertainment for Scarlett Reed. And I never expected Dad to protect Scarlett Reed, leaving Mom behind once more. Mom watched Dad’s retreating back, then quietly packed her clothes to leave. As she locked the door, I still peered outside. Mom took my hand, shaking her head gently. “Don’t look. He won’t be coming back.” On the way to the train station, snowflakes began to fall. Scarlett Reed suddenly blocked our path, a triumphant smile on her face. “I knew you’d leave, so I waited here specifically. See how well I know you?” Mom didn’t want to get tangled up with Scarlett Reed, so she picked me up and tried to go around. Suddenly, several menacing figures rushed out, surrounding us. Scarlett Reed’s eyes gleamed with defiance, approaching step by step. “Remember these guys? You saved me from them back then.” “They turned me into a tramp, but you brought me into your home, made me your sister.” “Compared to you, I’m practically evil.” Mom stared at her warily, her voice guarded. “What exactly do you want?” Scarlett Reed’s face hardened, letting out a scornful laugh. “Of course, I want you to become just like me. That way Brandon won’t think about you anymore.” “What do you think Brandon will say when he comes and sees you disheveled?” Scarlett Reed’s gaze fell on me, her smile meaningful. “Little star is small, but little kids have their own… appeal, don’t they?” Mom held me tight, her eyes bloodshot. She grabbed her self-defense knife, her fingertips trembling. “Get away! Anyone who dares to come closer today, I’ll kill them!” The knife had been blessed, Dad’s first gift to Mom. I hid in Mom’s arms, crying in terror. The group let out malicious laughs, closing in on Mom. In a blur, I felt a greasy hand touch my face. Mom screamed hysterically, wildly slashing the knife into the air. Someone fell to the ground in pain, others cursed. Mom didn’t dare relax, dodging and wildly stabbing. Her back hit a fleshy wall, and I heard a familiar voice above my head. “Eleanor, how much longer are you going to carry on like this?!” Scarlett Reed lay in a pool of blood, looking like a withered flower. She clutched her stomach, forcing a bitter smile. “Don’t blame Eleanor, she saved my life, and destroying me this way… I accept it…” “But my poor baby, he’s so small, not even moving yet…” Dad coldly dropped a line. “Eleanor, you’d better pray Scarlett’s baby is alright.” Dad scooped up Scarlett Reed and ran towards the clinic. He ran so fast, he didn’t notice the bowl-sized gash on Mom’s exhausted hand. Mom was dragged by me to the clinic. The nurse stitched roughly, and the wound reopened during bandaging. I lovingly blew on Mom’s hand, glaring angrily at the nurse. “You brat! I’m already doing my duty by bandaging your mom, the other woman!” Mom instinctively covered my ears, her voice sharp. “Apologize to my child.” The nurse rolled her eyes, pointing to the special care ward. “Mr. Davies and Ms. Reed are the actual couple. Their child is legitimate.” “You, the other woman, should be keeping your tail between your legs. And you expect respect?” Dad stood at the doorway, his eyes filled with concern for the blood-stained bandage. He sighed, then carefully re-bandaged Mom’s hand. “It’s a good thing Scarlett is okay, but this can’t just be brushed aside.” “Some data was leaked, and the higher-ups are investigating. You’ll have to take the fall for Scarlett.” Mom looked as if she’d been struck by a blunt object, frozen in place. “Are you saying… you want me to take the blame for Scarlett Reed?” Dad frowned, his tone matter-of-fact. “Scarlett is young and promising; she can’t have a disciplinary record. As for you… I’ll still support you, it won’t affect you.” Mom’s tears flowed like an unstrung necklace, hitting Dad’s heart. “What about my little star? She can’t have a mother with a bad record.” Dad gently wiped Mom’s tears, silent for a moment. “Don’t worry, I’ll transfer the child to Scarlett. She won’t be affected.” Mom froze, then, realizing, held me tightly in her arms. “Scarlett Reed found people to harm me and little star! I was just protecting myself!” “It wasn’t me! It wasn’t me… Don’t take my little star!” Scarlett Reed, her face pale, advised. “If Eleanor doesn’t want to, forget it. I don’t want to make things difficult for you, Brandon…” The Jeep outside honked impatiently. Dad hesitated, then forcibly pulled me away from Mom. “It’s just to cooperate with the investigation. Nothing will happen.” I screamed for Mom, desperately hitting Dad. Mom was dragged away, her knees leaving long bloody streaks on the gravel. Her eyes blurry with tears, she screamed frantically. “I didn’t do it! I really didn’t!” “Little star! My little star!” “Brandon Davies! I hate you! I hate you!” The Jeep sped away, reappearing three days later. It wasn’t Mom who returned, but the factory manager. He glanced at Dad, who was holding Scarlett Reed, and hesitated to speak. Dad noticed the white shirt in the manager’s hand—the one Mom was wearing when she left. It was covered in dried mud, mixed with conspicuous blood. Dad’s smile froze, his heart seizing up. “Comrade Eleanor encountered a mudslide during transport and died instantly.” “These are her belongings. Please take care.”
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