Chapter 5 Mom's work was in New York , a thriving city with plenty of opportunities . Within a few years , she had bought a house there and brought me over to live with her . By then , I was already in middle school . ] Meanwhile , Casey's fancy school had become too expensive . Dad's meager salary couldn't support her education anymore , so she had to drop out . But even after dropping out , she continued living extravagantly , using Dad's money to satisfy her every whim . Dad became thin and haggard , living frugally just to keep up with her demands . On the day I was set to leave for New York with Mom , Dad showed up . When he saw me , his eyes filled with regret . || " Riley … " He reached out to touch my head but noticed how much taller I'd grown . His hand fell away awkwardly . " Please don't go . Stay with Dad . This is where you grew up . " I shook my head and stepped back , touching my ear . After years of treatment , my hearing had improved somewhat , but it would never be normal again . With my hearing aid in place , I looked at him coolly . " No thanks . I belong wherever Mom is . In her eyes , I'm the princess . " He pulled me into a hug and broke down crying . " Riley , I was wrong . I was so wrong . Please don't hate me . " [ ] * Dad just wanted to make things right for Casey . Your mom and I were so busy with work back then , so we had her stay with her maternal grandmother in the countryside . " [ ] " After you were born , we were so caught up in our jobs that we didn't dare bring her home . " " We had no idea your maternal grandmother wasn't treating her well . There were too many kids in that house . She never got enough to eat or a decent place to sleep . I failed her badly . " " But why did your guilt have to come at my expense ? You failed her , not me . " ] After all these years , I finally asked the question that had been burning inside me . Dad froze . " Riley , are you … are you saying you don't love dad anymore ? " [ ] I shook my head . " I don't . The moment you made me sleep on boards in the living room and stopped caring whether I lived or died - that's when I stopped loving you . " I stepped back , putting distance between us . Dad's face crumpled as tears streamed down his weathered cheeks . Grandmat stood nearby , cursing at him . " You broke this child's heart , and now you're putting on a show ? Get out ! Get out ! I can't stand the sight of your She grabbed her broom and chased him away . Dad sobbed as he watched Mom and me walk away , but I felt lighter than I had in years . I was finally free to live my life. In the new city , everything felt strange - new teachers , new classmates . But everything had an exciting newness to it that filled me with hope ! ] During my first year of high school , I won the school's academic scholarship , Mom called Grandma with the good news , and she was absolutely thrilled . During summer break , I went back to visit . When Dad heard I was coming , he prepared a feast and invited me over . Mom thought about it and decided that we'd still have to see him occasionally despite the divorce . Plus , Grandma had been so good to me , so for her sake , Mom agreed to take me there . [ ] The moment I walked in and saw Casey , I was shocked . She was dressed like some wannabe rapper - complete with ear gauges lip piercings , and dreadlocks . Her baggy pants hung halfway down her butt . When she saw me , Casey's voice dripped with sarcasm . " Well , well , if it isn't the genius back from the big city . " ] She raised an eyebrow at me . " Those are some nice headphones , Give them to me . " Before I could even respond , she reached for them , just like she used to do when we were kids . But I wasn't a kid anymore . I smacked her hand away . This is a hearing aid ! [ ] ♡ 100