“It’s not because I’m generous. I just did what was right for my child to have a normal upbringing. The child is innocent. She has the right to be loved by both her father and mother. I didn’t want her to learn hatred because of adult mistakes. As long as you pay your child support on time and still love your daughter, I will respect that right. But what was between us ended a long time ago.”

Daniel lowered his head and said nothing more. He played with his daughter for about an hour and then left looking desolate.

As his figure disappeared behind the elevator doors, I quietly closed and locked my door. Returning to the living room, I swept Lily into my arms.

She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed my cheek with her small lips. The warm afternoon sun of early spring streamed through the balcony window, illuminating the room.

I held my daughter and looked out at the bustling streetscape below. Remembering the difficult days and the tears of the past, a smile of contentment spread across my face.

I had realized that a happy family does not necessarily require the presence of a husband. Happiness was in the courage to decisively cut off the things that cause pain and in the ability to stand on one’s own two feet and take responsibility for one’s own life.

The past half of my life felt like a long dream. Now I was awake and I was living days that were free, proud, and more peaceful than…

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