The Don for Rent

Steven Graham's guilt faded immediately after hearing that. When he looked at me, he seemed a little irritated. "So this is what you've been teaching our daughter while I'm out working? Look at her. All she talks about is money."

I looked calmly at the television. "Isn't that a good thing? At least she understands the importance of financial security.

"It's better than being like me before. I only cared about love and didn't learn the lesson until after getting a divorce."

Steven froze. He was at a loss for words.

His phone rang again. Julie's voice came through. "Steven, why aren't you here yet? You promised you'd go anywhere with me and keep me safe."

The moment she finished speaking, Nora's expression darkened.

She used to beg Steven to spend time with her, but he never agreed. He made excuses in the beginning, but later he stopped bothering with excuses altogether.

Steven noticed the look on her face. He walked over and took her hand. "Nora, listen to your mom while I'm gone, okay? I'll definitely spend time with you when I can.

"I promise I'll take you to Disneyland. How does that sound?"

Once upon a time, hearing that would have made Nora happy. Now she didn't even look up. "It's okay, Dad. You just need to make money."

Steven clearly hadn't expected that answer. His expression darkened. Before leaving, he said one last thing. "Kelly, if you keep teaching her the wrong thing, you're going to ruin her."

He then slammed the door behind him.

Nora walked over and held out my phone. "Mom, look. There are more zeros in the account.

"Is this enough to buy a big house now?"

I looked at Nora and then at the growing string of digits. My tears finally spilled over. I touched her cheek and answered hoarsely, "Yes. It's enough to buy a house. Once we save a little more, we can leave this place."

Nora nodded.

After calming myself down, I cut the birthday cake with her.

When she finally fell asleep, I turned on the television. The news happened to be covering an event attended by Julie and Steven.

On-screen, the two looked inseparable like a perfect couple.

I couldn't even remember the last time Steven had accompanied me anywhere.

He always promised me he would, but he left me halfway through each time.

I sighed. The next second, I received a call from Steven. "Kelly, let me explain. Everyone at the event brought a date tonight. Julie and I were just cooperating for appearances."

I smiled. "It's okay. That's part of your job anyway."

I hung up after saying that.

A message arrived from the real estate agent. He had found a house that met all my requirements.

If negotiations went smoothly, Nora and I could move into our new home next week.

I couldn't stop smiling.

The last time Steven and I divorced because of Julie, he decided to teach me a lesson. He made sure I walked away with nothing. He even asked Julie and the other families to make sure nobody would hire me.

Without a job, I had no income. I had no savings either.

The day after the divorce, a blizzard hit us.

Nora and I didn't even have enough money for a motel room, and so we spent two days shivering in the snow.

Eventually, her body gave out. She developed a fever and became dangerously ill.

I had no choice but to surrender and beg Steven to take us back.

Now, Nora and I finally had savings of our own.

We had enough to buy a house and leave this country.

I sent several documents to the real estate agent and asked him to help with the paperwork. That was when Steven called. "Kelly, I cooked dinner. Come home."

I hung up without a word.

Two hours later, I returned home.

The dining room was lively.

Steven was placing food on Julie's plate.