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.
My mom adored her granddaughter, and Elisha loved going to stay with her, too.
It was just that in the past, I took Elisha home too often, and Troy would hint that it was laughable to visit my mom so frequently.
I knew it was Amanda's words.
At this moment, all I wanted to say was...
"Fuck you all!"
Once I settled Elisa, I went to Troy's office to find him.
I couldn't wait a moment longer for the divorce.
I rarely visited his investment consultancy firm.
People there didn't recognize me, thinking I was there for a job interview.
I must have interrupted the young receptionist playing video games.
She handed me a cup of water with a paper cup, head down, clearly annoyed.
"Mr. Anderson is busy with business; you'll have to wait."
I didn't respond; I just sent Troy a text.
He asked me to wait for ten minutes.
I had barely sat down when a few salespeople behind me started whispering.
Apparently, one of them took a two-hour leave, and Troy docked him a day's pay.
"Troy is just a big-shot nobody. Without his wife's father, Mr. Oscar Finch, he's nothing."
"His wife must be blind to marry such a loser."
The group was furiously venting when the receptionist, who had just joined in, quickly silenced them.
"Stop, stop, he's coming out."
The door opened, and Troy scanned the room, his gaze finally resting on me.
"Honey, come on in."
As I got up, the people behind murmured, "It's over, we're doomed."
Once the door closed.