Chapter 4

We met Nyla and her son. I frowned, realizing that although her son and my daughter were in the same kindergarten, they weren't in the same class. I hadn't expected the school to organize activities bringing together students from both classes.

When Erik Moreno was two, his father left him and his mother. Out of pity, Joaquin took great care of them. When Erik saw Joaquin, he flew straight into his arms. Joaquin lifted him high, and the two tacitly resembled a father and son who had been together for years.

My daughter clenched her hand, and I soothingly touched her head. She looked up and forced a smile, assuring me she was fine. But my heart ached; my daughter was forced to be sensible at such a young age.

Suddenly, Lia seemed to see something and ran over, tearing something from Erik's backpack. I took a closer look; it was the keychain Joaquin had lost, a gift from his daughter. She had spent two hours setting a trap to retrieve it; it had been precious to her, and I'd even been a little jealous when she gave it to Joaquin. What angered me more was Joaquin's unconcern. Later, I discovered he no longer wore it and questioned him. He disdainfully warned me not to make a fuss; it was just a keychain. The lie was exposed. Joaquin panicked; Erik saw something being taken and forcefully pushed Lia, shouting, "You thief!"

Lia fell hard, momentarily wanting to cry, but quickly composed herself. "You are the thief! This is mine!" I carefully turned over her hand to check for injury.

Nyla addressed her son sarcastically: "Lia wants to be straightforward, haven't I ever said anything about how much you can take from us? We are not petty people anymore." She insinuated the item Joaquin had was secondhand. Ironically, Joaquin had bought those things; they were community property.

Joaquin quickly intervened, squatting to educate his daughter: "Lia made a mistake; that's not yours, Daddy will buy you one." His daughter was furious, her face red. Although young, she understood right from wrong. "Dad, how could you lie? That was clearly the keychain I gave you, and the little bear on top was sewn by Mom for me."

Joaquin was stunned; he had underestimated a child's judgment. Erik, however, began crying, and the surrounding parents gathered, whispering to each other.

Joaquin, angered, assumed a parental stance, scolding, "You are just like your mother, mercilessly tormenting others and making them cry." His daughter, holding back tears, defended herself, "It was clearly you who lied first, why are you blaming my stepmother again? I hate you!"

I couldn't bear it anymore and hugged my daughter tightly. He coldly said, "Are you even worthy of being a father? Full of lies." Joaquin's face tightened; he guiltily reached for his daughter's hand. But Nyla hugged his arm, concerned. She defended Joaquin: "How can you speak to me like this? Joaquin is already a man, and it's not easy for him; why are you taking your anger out on me?"

In a few sentences, her noble character and my pettiness formed a stark contrast. The teacher arrived to organize the event. "Why is everyone gathered here? Let's start the game." She looked at the three, saying, "This must be Erik's dad; he's really handsome, you can tell they're a family." Nyla blushed and lowered her head, while Erik clung to Joaquin's sleeve.

But Joaquin was fearful. He looked at me and our daughter, hastily rolling up his sleeves to defend himself. However, before he could speak, I uttered a shocking statement.