The Day I Stopped Being a Mother

Mia was obedient. And she was smart.

If it weren’t for her being slightly older than most adoptive families preferred, many people would have wanted her.

“If you don’t mind her age,” the director said gently, “I can call you the moment she returns.”

“If the two of you get along, we can begin the adoption process right away.”

I nodded.

“I don’t mind.”

After we finalized the details, I drove back.

Before heading home, I stopped by the mall.

Before leaving the orphanage, I had asked the director for Mia’s clothing and shoe sizes.

I wanted to buy a few outfits in advance—so when she arrived, she wouldn’t have to wear hand-me-downs.

I assumed all little girls were the same.

So I bought what Lily used to like.

Dolls. Dresses. Shoes. Accessories.

I was about to leave when I unexpectedly ran into Lily.

She was holding Victor’s hand with one hand.

And with the other—A strange woman’s hand.

I glanced over once.

It was Victor’s mistress.Charlotte.

The three of them stood side by side, looking exactly like a family.

When they saw me, both Victor and Lily froze.

Their expressions tightened—as if they were afraid I might make a scene.

If this had been the old me, seeing him out with Lily and his mistress would’ve sent me into a rage.

But now, the Ricci family had nothing to do with me.

I gave them one indifferent look and walked straight past.

Just as I passed them, Victor grabbed my arm.

“Lily’s been thinking about you these past few days,” he said.“Why haven’t you come to pick her up?”

At that, I lowered my gaze to Lily.

She stood there with her lips pursed, peeking at me cautiously.

But the moment my eyes met hers, she turned her head away—hiding behind Charlotte.

I let out a cold laugh.

“This is what you call missing me?”

Victor fidgeted, clearly caught off guard.

“Come on… who raised you to mess with a kid like that?” he said, half-scolding, half-defensive.

“You’re grown. Are you seriously still mad at a little girl?”

“In the end, aren’t you still here buying gifts to make it up to her?”

His eyes flicked to the shopping bags in my hands, and he visibly relaxed.

He waved Lily over.

“Come on. Mommy bought you presents.”

“See if there’s anything you like.”

At the word “presents,” Lily’s eyes instantly lit up.

She walked over slowly, pretending to be reserved—yet her gaze kept darting toward the bags.

Then she snorted softly.

“Even if you bought me gifts, I won’t forgive you.”

“Unless you promise to stop talking about divorce,” she added arrogantly,

“and apologize to Dad and me.”

“Only then will I keep calling you Mom.”

I chuckled.

“And who told you these were for you?”

Lily froze.

For a brief moment, she couldn’t tell whether I was joking—or serious.

Ever since she was little, I had given her everything she wanted.

If she’d asked for a star from the sky, I would’ve found a way to hand it to her.

But today, I told her the things in my hands weren’t hers.

Confusion quickly turned into anger.

She stared at me wide-eyed.

Victor frowned deeply, clearly displeased.

“You’d better stop this right now.”

“Do you really need to upset a child just to feel satisfied?”

“I finally managed to cheer her up today,” he said impatiently.

“Since she’s in a good mood, you should apologize properly—with gifts.”

“Don’t make things harder for yourself.”

At that, Lily shouted too,

“I don’t want her gifts!”

“She already said they’re not for me!”

Victor laughed helplessly and bent down to her.

“Come on, princess. You’re her only precious daughter.”

“If not for you, who else would she buy dolls and little dresses for?”

“She’s just too proud to apologize.”

Hearing that, Lily’s expression softened.

She sneaked another glance at the shopping bags.

I didn’t know what she saw—

But suddenly, her eyes lit up.

Still, my indifferent expression made her hesitate.

Victor noticed too.

He pointed at a pink box near the top.

“Isn’t that the spinning music box you’ve been wanting?”

“The one that was sold out last time?”

“Your mom bought it especially to apologize to you.”

He gently pushed Lily toward me.

“Go on,” he coaxed.

“Say you forgive Mommy, and she’ll give you the music box.”

As he spoke, he shot me a meaningful look.

Lily glanced at him.

Then at me.

“…Fine.”

She pouted and walked up reluctantly.

“I’ll forgive you,” she said condescendingly,

“for the sake of the music box.”

Then, like a little adult, she added,

“But you can’t bring up divorce again.”

“And Aunt Charlotte is a very nice person.”

“In the future, you’re not allowed to make things difficult for her—or stop us from seeing her.”

“If you can do all that…”

She lifted her chin and looked straight at me.

“Then you can still be my mom.”

She stood there.

Waiting for my answer.