At that moment, I stood crying in the crowd like a fool.
After calming down, I held her hand tightly.
Don't worry.
In this life, I would do anything to spare you from even a hint of suffering.
I brought Elisha to a restaurant for lunch.
I hesitated but decided to ask her.
"Elisa, Mom wants to ask you something. If I and your dad... "
"Mom, I choose you."
Her words cut me off.
She pulled the uneaten burger from her mouth and looked at me calmly.
I just wanted to test the waters to see if she would be upset about me divorcing her dad.
But I never expected her to step ahead of my question.
At nine years old, her gaze was as firm as a wise little adult.
She grabbed a fry, dipped it in ketchup, and handed it to me.
"Mom, every day when I come home from school, you don't seem very happy.
"I love it when you smile, just like me now."
Her dimples appeared on her face again.
"If separating from Dad makes you smile, then Elisa will be happy, too."
Pathetic, tears welled up in my eyes again.
I endured for so long, all in the hope that Elisha would be healthy and happy.
But today, I realized that her hopes were just the same.
After leaving them, we will definitely be better off.
I took Elisa to my mother's place.