Chapter 6

At the amusement park.

Ethan was on the carousel with Leo, while Lily stood outside watching.

Leo waved from his wooden horse, shouting, "Uncle Ethan, look at me!"

Ethan smiled and took photos of him.

Lily watched with envy, whispering to me, "Mommy, can I ride too?"

I took her to line up.

By the time we got on, Ethan had already taken Leo to the next ride.

Lily sat on her carousel horse, but her head was constantly turned toward the direction where Ethan had left.

When we got off, she tugged at my hand. "Mommy, let's go find Mr. Ethan."

I nodded and led her forward.

When we found Ethan, he was on the bumper cars with Leo.

Leo sat next to him, laughing loudly.

Lily stood outside the railing, staring at them, completely still.

After a while, Leo saw us. He pointed at Lily and asked, "Uncle Ethan, who is that girl?"

Ethan glanced over and said indifferently, "Just a friend's kid."

*Just a friend's kid.*

Hearing those words, Lily's expression shattered.

But she didn't cry. She just lowered her head and gripped my hand as tightly as she could.

That afternoon, Lily didn't smile again.

On the way home, she remained silent.

At night, I finished packing the last of our bags and went to her room.

She was sitting on her bed, hugging her doll.

"Mommy," she looked up. "Are we leaving tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"Will..." she hesitated. "Will Daddy miss us?"

I was silent for a long time.

"Lily, some people just don't have room in their hearts for others."

Lily lowered her head, thinking deeply.

Then she looked up and hugged me. "It's okay. Lily only needs Mommy."

At that moment, my tears almost spilled over.

The next morning, we were ready to leave.

Just as I opened the door, we ran into Ethan and Leo standing outside.

He startled, his eyes sweeping over our luggage. "You're leaving for your trip this early?"

"Yes."

Leo ran out from behind Ethan. Seeing the doll in Lily's arms, he snatched it away. "What is this? It's so ugly!"

Lily froze, instinctively trying to grab it back.

Leo threw the doll onto the ground and stomped on it. "Piece of junk!"

Lily's eyes welled with tears, but she held them back.

Ethan frowned slightly and told Leo, "Don't do that." Then he turned to me. "You guys should go. Have a good trip."

He led Leo inside, passing right by us without giving Lily a single glance.

Lily knelt down, picked up the dirt-covered doll, and carefully patted the dust off it.

"Mommy, let's go."

I nodded, took her hand, and walked out.

At the entrance of the residential complex, I looked back at the building one last time.

Three years ago, I thought this was a home.

Now I realized it was just a roof over our heads.

"Driver, to the airport, please."

As the cab started, Lily leaned against me and said softly, "Mommy, Lily isn't sad."

I held her close. "I know, baby."

"Because Lily has Mommy."

I looked out the window at the fast-receding city skyline and thought in my heart:

*Goodbye, Ethan.*

*This time, it's forever.*