The root of everything stemmed from Philip's infidelity. A hypocritical man who feigned being a dignified elite in public but vented his frustrations on his wife and children at home, he was paired with a strong-willed, combative, and outspoken woman who was neither gentle nor caring. Their union was a recipe for unhappiness; their marriage devoid of joy.

Jennifer recalled her unfortunate childhood. Though now 28, she epitomized the saying that those who suffer misfortune spend their lives healing childhood wounds. “When I was almost five, I witnessed Philip’s infidelity firsthand. He was in the bedroom with another woman, hugging and flirting. They were about to undress when he noticed me watching through the door crack.

He walked over, opened the door, slapped me hard, and yelled, ‘You little brat, what are you looking at?’ I covered my face and asked, ‘Dad, who is that woman?’ And guess what? That mistress, without a word, walked over and slapped me—once, twice… I can still clearly remember, she slapped me six times.

I wasn’t even five years old. Philip just stood there coldly, watching his mistress hit me. He then grabbed my arm and warned me not to tell Evelyn, or else they’d both keep hitting me. I was terrified, nodding frantically. Then the mistress left. Philip immediately changed his demeanor. He smiled at me and said the woman was just a friend. He told me to be quiet and not tell Evelyn anything.

Otherwise, he’d divorce Evelyn, and we wouldn’t have a big house or pretty clothes. I didn’t understand what he was saying. I just saw him smiling while glaring at me and gripping my arm tightly. I cried and said, ‘I won’t tell Mommy.’

That night, Evelyn came home. Half-asleep, I overheard them arguing. Evelyn was hitting Philip, saying that if it weren’t for their two daughters, she would have divorced him long ago. She said their marriage was a mistake and she wanted to leave it all behind. Philip replied that they couldn’t divorce yet because of his parents’ pension fund. If they divorced too soon, the money wouldn’t go to him. Evelyn scolded him, saying that all he ever thought about was money and that he had no conscience.

I watched from outside the door as they argued and even got physical. You were woken up by the noise too. We stood there watching our parents fight. You clung to my arm and cried, “Hannah, I’m scared.” I comforted you, saying, “Don’t be afraid, I’m here. I’ll protect you.” And then…

That weekend, Philip’s client invited him to go hiking. Evelyn insisted we go with him. Looking back, I think Evelyn must have already sensed Philip’s infidelity, so she didn’t want to leave him alone.

Jennifer paused, her voice trembling slightly. “I remember it well. You had a fever that day, so you didn’t go hiking. Evelyn sent you to our grandparents’ house and took only me along. On the way, she noticed my swollen face and asked why it was red. My face had been swollen all day, and it took her that long to notice as a mother.

I wanted to speak, but when I looked at Philip, I saw his warning glare. I shook my head and didn’t dare say a word. Philip pretended to hold me and told Evelyn not to scare me, saying I was timid and easily frightened. The two of them inexplicably started arguing again. Evelyn had a loud voice and spoke bluntly, hurling harsh insults at Philip. Many people were watching us.

I tugged at her sleeve and said foolishly, “Mommy, Daddy, please don’t fight.” But neither of them cared or paid attention to me. Philip even shoved me aside, and I fell. I got up by myself. I was so naive back then. I thought my parents’ unhappiness was because of me. I thought that if I disappeared, they could be happy. And then…