Chapter 2After My Daughter Died, I Regretted Everything

Basking in the envious looks from the other parents, I happily examined Ethan’s report card, turning it over and over.

Ethan stood beside me silently the whole time. It wasn't until a few tall boys in school jackets walked past the back door, winking and nudging him, that he reacted.

"Yo, Ethan! Let's go shoot some hoops!"

"Are those your friends?"

I paused, surprised, looking skeptically at my slight son.

Ethan opened his mouth, but before he could speak, the leader of the group politely bowed towards me. "Hi, Mrs. Miller. Nice to meet you. We're Ethan's friends."

He turned back to Ethan with a grin. "Ethan, didn't we say we had that game today?"

Ethan mumbled a soft "Yeah," then looked at me for permission. "Mom, can I go hang out with my friends for a bit?"

"Of course! Young people should be active. You shouldn't just sit home studying all the time. Go get some exercise."

I agreed cheerfully. Even though I prioritized his studies, I wasn't that kind of rigid parent. Kids needed to be well-rounded – academics, arts, sports – to grow up healthy.

But Ethan didn't move. He fiddled with the hem of his shirt, lowering his head. "Mom," he whispered, "can I have some money? We were thinking of grabbing dinner together later…"

I was already thrilled about his grades, so I didn't think anything of it. I readily pulled a hundred-dollar bill from my wallet and handed it to him.

Ethan visibly relaxed, took the money happily, and left with his friends.

The parent-teacher conference didn't last too long, but afterwards, a few other parents invited me out to eat, wanting tips on raising a successful son. By the time dinner was over, it was already dark.

I took a cab home. Seeing the house completely dark reminded me that my husband was out of town on business, and Ethan was out with friends. No wonder it felt so empty and cold tonight.

I didn't dwell on it and flipped on the lights. The sight that greeted me almost gave me a heart attack.

Penny was curled up on the sofa in her dirty school uniform, staring at me. Her dark eyes were completely still, unblinking. She looked vacant, almost creepy in the dim light.

My heart stopped, then a wave of inexplicable rage washed over me.

"Penny Miller, what the hell is wrong with you! Are you trying to scare me to death, lurking here like a cat?"

I stormed over, yanked her off the sofa, and started yelling, pointing right in her face. "Do you have any idea your teacher called me again today? All about your terrible grades! You are embarrassing me to death!"

"Why can't you be more like your brother? I'm not asking you to be number one! I'd be grateful if you just weren't dead last for once!"

"I don't know what I did to deserve this, how I could have produced such a stupid kid."

I was furious, my blood boiling. But Penny just stood there like a wooden doll, staring at me wide-eyed. Only after I finished yelling did she finally utter a sound.

"Mommy… I'm hungry…"

"Hungry? What right do you have to be hungry! Look at your grades! Do you even deserve to eat?!"

I shot her a hateful glare and slammed my bedroom door shut.

I truly couldn't understand it. My husband and I were both college professors. Intellectually, genetically, there shouldn't be any issues. How could we have a daughter like Penny, a simpleton who couldn't even follow a conversation? Because of her, I had to endure those parents' mockery today.

If I had known she'd turn out like this, I never would have had her.