Chapter 3

“…Huh? What?”

My daughter was skeptical, unable to believe I could say such a thing.

I repeated my words carefully, one by one: “I said, I won’t force you to practice the piano anymore.”

“Not just that—anything else you don’t like, I won’t push you to do either.”

“I won’t check if you’ve finished your homework, and I won’t rush you to bed when you’re playing games.”

“If you want to date someone, whoever it might be, however you want to do it, I won’t interfere.”

“I won’t control anything about you. You’re free to do whatever you want.”

“From now on, as you wished, I will completely set you free.”

I made myself very clear.

She could tell—I wasn’t saying this out of spite or as a reverse psychology trick. I meant every word.

Her lips curled into an uncontrollable smile.

She asked, “I don’t have to go to piano lessons anymore?”

I smiled back. “Of course not. I didn’t even bother renewing the tuition fees.”

Her expression shifted slightly, as though something felt off, but she didn’t dwell on it. Right now, her priority was securing her newfound freedom.

“I have a boyfriend in my game. He loves me a lot. I’m planning to meet him this weekend. You won’t stop me, right?” she asked.

I nodded. “Of course not. I support you in pursuing true love.”

She brought up a few other things, and I agreed to them all, promising not to interfere in any way.

Only then did she seem fully satisfied. She returned to her room, threw her backpack onto the floor, flopped onto her bed, and pulled out her phone to play games.

“I’m so hungry! I want braised beef for dinner. Hurry up and cook it!” she shouted.

I ignored her, leaning back on the sofa as I contacted a lawyer friend to draft a divorce agreement. I printed it out using the home printer.

My husband was due back from his business trip tonight—perfect timing for him to sign it.

As for dinner, whoever wants to cook can cook. I planned to celebrate my rebirth with some takeout instead.

After finishing two rounds of her game, my daughter emerged from her room, even hungrier now. When she saw the dining table completely bare, she immediately erupted.

“I said I wanted braised beef for dinner! Didn’t you hear me? Are you deaf as well as stupid?”

I kept scrolling through videos on my phone and didn’t even look up.

“I already told you—I won’t take care of you anymore. Whether you’re hungry or not is none of my business.”

Her voice rose into a shriek. “Have you lost your mind, you crazy old woman? If you don’t cook, who will?”

I shrugged. “Whoever feels like it can cook. I’m not doing it.”

Cooking for myself? Sure. Cooking for this ungrateful brat? No, thanks.

Just then, the doorbell rang. My takeout had arrived.

Under her stunned and confused gaze, I brought in the bags and unpacked the boxes one by one.

Fresh spring rolls, Korean BBQ, tiramisu… all the things I usually couldn’t bring myself to splurge on.

She plopped herself down at the table without hesitation. “Which one is mine?”

I said, “This is all for me. None of it’s for you.”

Her eyes widened in fury, practically bulging out of her head.

“Then what am I supposed to eat? Are you insane, you crazy old woman?”

“I knew it! You’re just pretending to be nice to trick me into practicing piano again. I’ve had it with you!”

“No wonder Dad never wants to come home. Nobody can stand you!”

“Give me money! I’m going out to eat seafood buffet!”

I calmly picked up a piece of beef and savored it slowly.

“Your dad has money. Go ask him.”