Seven Years Abroad: Now He Wants Us Back

Sensing my discomfort, Anna spoke up. "Mommy, it looks like Daddy has something to talk about with that lady. Why don't we go home first? We can come back another time to buy a piano."

Her voice grew softer and softer, her small face unable to hide the disappointment. But I didn't notice. I left with Anna in a daze.

When we got home, I dug out our marriage certificate and other documents. I pulled up his listed address on the computer.

"Heartview Estates, Capital City."

Even living all the way here in River City, I'd heard of that place. Every inch of land there cost a fortune. Only the country's wealthiest elite could afford to buy property there.

Micah had kept us in the dark so thoroughly. I couldn't stop wondering what he'd been thinking all those times he watched us leave early and return late, day after day, rain or shine, performing in the park.

Had he felt sorry for us? Or had he been laughing at how foolishly ambitious we were?

At that thought, I let out a self-deprecating laugh and dialed a divorce lawyer.

After what felt like an eternity, footsteps sounded outside the door. Micah was home.

Anna ran to the door to greet him enthusiastically like always, but Micah was too stingy to even give her a hug.

Normally, Anna was already used to her father's coldness. But today, for some reason, she grabbed the corner of Micah's shirt and wouldn't let him go.

"Daddy, can you buy me a piano? My classmate's teacher taught her a lullaby, and I learned it after hearing it just once. I want to play it for you."

"Sure. When I earn the money, I'll buy you one." Micah brushed her off like usual.

"When will that be?"

Anna seemed unusually stubborn today, insisting on getting an answer. After hesitating several times, Micah finally agreed.

Anna threw her arms around my leg and cheered with excitement. "Mommy, I'm going to have a piano! I'll play so many songs for you and Daddy!"

I was happy for my daughter too, looking forward to hearing her perform. But a day passed, then two, then an entire week. The piano Micah promised was still nowhere to be seen.

One morning, I found Anna hiding under her blanket, crying quietly. Micah saw it too, but showed no reaction whatsoever.

Instead, when he spotted me, his eyes lit up. "Perfect timing. Make me some honey-ginger tea and put it in a thermal flask. I need to take it with me."

Honey-ginger tea. He was making it for Lucy Sinclair, wasn't he?

My menstrual cramps were severe. He'd seen it with his own eyes, yet he never reacted.

I heard something snap inside me. That sentence ignited the last fuse in my heart. Rage shot straight to my head, and the bag in my hand flew at his face.

By the time I realized what I'd done, tears were already streaming down my face. Micah was the one who got hit, but I was the one crying harder.

After being struck, Micah's own temper had flared, but seeing my tears, his anger extinguished instantly.

"If you don't want to make it, fine. Do you really need to throw such a tantrum?"

"What about the piano you promised Anna?"

As if he'd completely forgotten about the piano, embarrassment flashed across Micah's face before he masked it with impatience. "I'll buy it. Do you have to hound me like a debt collector?"

"I'll buy it." Over the past five years, he'd said those words countless times. At least when someone threw a stone into water, it'd make a splash. His words didn't even create a ripple.

I stormed into Anna's room and pulled her out from under the covers.

"I'm getting a divorce from your father. When I do, we'll go abroad together. How does that sound?"

Going abroad seemed too distant a concept for Anna to grasp, but it was our best option. The Jackman family wielded too much power domestically. Only by going overseas could Anna's talent truly flourish.

All my savings combined were just enough to purchase one-way tickets.