Love Amidst Divorce Woes

This was the first time I saw my dad so furious.

He picked me up and pulled my mom out of the club. "Joanna, I agreed to let you have custody of Carolina, not because I'm afraid of you, but because I know you can provide her with a better environment. But if this is how you're raising her, I'll fight for custody with everything I've got!"

My mom remained composed despite his anger. "She'll eventually take over for me one day. It's not necessarily a bad thing for her to get comfortable in these settings early on."

"You!" My dad was so upset by her indifference that his nostrils flared with anger.

"Still want to fight for custody?" my mom sneered. "If I weren't around today, who knows whose bed you'd end up in again? Yusuf, with how reckless you are, how can you be a father?"

My dad's face flushed bright red, then went pale, and he let out a bitter laugh. "What does it matter if you're here? How are you different from those people in the booth? Five years ago, wasn't I drugged and pushed into your bed? You're right; I am foolish. If I weren't, how would I have let you get pregnant with Carolina? If I weren't, how would I have spent five years making formula and changing diapers?"

The night was cool and calm, with only the sound of wind rustling the street-side leaves breaking the silence.

Sylas rushed over, looking frantic. "Carolina, where did you go? I couldn't find you anywhere! I was terrified!"

His eyes were red, and his face and hair were soaked with sweat. Even his clothes were damp.

I shook my head, feeling a bit guilty, and reached out with my little hand to wipe the sweat off his forehead.

"Mom, Sylas, let's go home."

At that moment, I saw my dad's face grow even paler, almost as if all the color had drained from it.

I didn't call out to my dad because I had just understood something from his words. Perhaps I wasn't brought into this world with his hope.

Without me, maybe he would still be the "big shot," not standing there tonight, facing all this scrutiny.

Maybe if mom is willing to let him go and give back his freedom, I should do the same.