Ophelia had made Aurelia boil water and cook noodles, all while she lounged on the sofa, painting her nails.
Aurelia, just six years old, was forced to serve her.
And Nathaniel? He didn’t stop her. No, he stood there, encouraging it, ordering Aurelia around like she was nothing but a servant.
My little girl had believed that by obeying them, she could win her father's approval and that his smile would be hers once again.
But when she carefully brought the freshly made noodles over, Ophelia, still leisurely painting her nails, snapped at her, irritated by the disturbance.
Then, with a cruel force, Ophelia struck Aurelia’s hand, sending the hot noodles spilling across her legs.
Instead of showing concern, Ophelia only scolded her, walking away with a flick of her wrist, leaving my daughter to cry in pain on the floor.
It was a kind neighbor who found her, rushing her to the hospital just in time.
After hearing the whole truth, I hired a nurse to tend to my child, then stormed home, my heart burning with fury.
I never expected to walk in on Nathaniel and Ophelia in the middle of their affair.