Chapter 3

"I read online that raising a daughter costs a lot of money. I'll have to work hard in the future!"

Mom looked at me without a word. She then patiently explained, "Sweetheart, there are many bad people in this world. Not everyone will love you the way Mom and Dad do. What if the person on the other end is a scammer?"

I refused to believe that. "No way. If she were a scammer, she'd definitely ask for lots and lots of presents. But my daughter only asked me for a single painkiller. Her mom left her. If I, her new mom, don't take care of her, she'll be bullied to death by her stepmom!"

Mom sighed. "That won't happen. The police will help her."

I shook my head as hard as I could. "The police can't help everyone. Besides, I'm her mom. I will protect her!"

As soon as Dad came in and heard my words, his briefcase slipped from his hand and fell to the floor with a loud clatter.

"What? Our sweetheart is a mom now? But you're still so young, dear. You can't even tie your own shoelaces yet—"

"I don't have to know how to tie shoelaces to be a mom!" Tilting my head, I argued, "All I have to do as a mom is wipe away my daughter's tears, share my sweets with her, and…"

Standing on my tiptoes, I kissed Mom and Dad on the cheeks. "And telling her I love her a hundred times every single day! I believe I can be a really good mom!"

At a loss for words, Mom and Dad sighed softly. "Alright, then. We believe you can be a good mom. But we still have to make sure you're safe, so we'll have to run a background check on that girl…"

I didn't understand what they were talking about, but what I did know was that they would definitely like my daughter, too, with how well-behaved and nice she was.

That night, my daughter sent me a photo. I couldn't see much of it as it was taken in a pitch-black attic.

Still, I could see a thin comforter spread across the icy floor. "This is where I sleep every night."

Seeing how dark and gloomy the attic was, I felt my heart ache.

I turned to snap a picture of the starry night lights stretching across my room. "Don't be afraid, sweetheart. I'll share my lights with you next time!"

Smiling, she replied, "Okay!"

She then sent me another photo. It was an old, faded family portrait in which she was smiling brightly. The woman holding her was also very beautiful. On the woman's ear was a little mole that was very visible.

I scrambled out of bed and looked in the mirror at my own ear.

Then, I turned to Mom proudly. "Look, Mom! I have the same mole as my daughter's mom!"

I made sure to snap a picture of my ear before texting, "My grandpa told me that when people pass away, they bring a gift with them when they return to this world. See, the mole on my ear looks exactly like your mom's!"

After what felt like forever, my daughter finally replied, "Then, will you always be here for me, Mom?"

"Of course!"

This was nothing like the make-believe games I used to play because from this moment onward, I truly had a daughter. And I would always be there for her.

That evening, Grandpa and Grandma transferred some money to me.

I didn't hesitate to transfer the money to my daughter.

Shocked, she asked, "Why did you send me money?"

I answered, "Because you're my daughter! Moms are supposed to give their daughters allowances!"

She returned the transfer right away.

The chat box showed she was typing, but it took a long time before her message finally came through.

"Thank you, but I really can't take your money. My dad works on a ship. He pays my tuition and living expenses on time. And I can eat at school…"