A Call That Changed Her Entire Life

"Come, let's talk, Cloris," called Jack. Now, it was natural for him to call her Cloris, and it felt like an intimate thing. "I think Beryl needs a father. She needs a complete family, don't you think so?"

Emily paused for a moment before answering, pursing her lips. "No, I don't. She's not your daughter anyway, so you don't have to bother yourself with that."

His eyes flashed a hint of surprise. "Emily, if you don't believe me, Beryl and I could do a paternity test."

Emily's eyes narrowed. "That's not necessary." Her eyes were almost twitching as she glared at him. "She's my daughter, and I know who her father is."

For a moment there, Jack believed she already knew the truth. He soon calmed himself down and explained, "Emily, I thought the reason you came back to Z country was so that our daughter could enjoy a reunited, complete, family. Do you really want her to grow up without her father?"

Emily's jaw clenched. "I told you, she's not your daughter." All sense of politeness out the window, she started raising her voice. "Jack, I've had enough of you. You should leave me alone."

Her words upset him, and he looked at her carefully. "Did you come back for-"

"I'm tired," Emily interrupted before he could speak the name. "I don't want to deal with you anymore, so please just go."

He kept silent for a moment and nodded. With an affectionate gaze and a gentle tone, he suggested once again, "I hope you can give it some thought, at least for Beryl's sake. Have a good rest, then. I'll go."

Since returning home, Jack had rarely seen Emily so emotional and agitated. He knew the reason, of course.

He finally turned away, his eyes a little gloomy.

"Uncle Jack!" called Beryl. She sort of waddled over in her big slippers, a puppy following close beside her. "Did you have a fight with mommy?" she asked curiously.

He bent down to hug her, and the puppy hopped around at his feet, leaning its forelegs on his thigh.

"Nah, your mommy just needs some time to figure some thing out, you know?"

"I got it," the child answered. She nodded idly before giving him a serious look. "Don't do anything bad to my mommy, ok?"

child's sweet attempt to look threatening for her mother. "How would that happen? I'm so

a gentle look, he bid her goodbye. "Beryl, I

he'd only make things worse with Emily if he stayed. Leaving would be the best thing to do for now, especially because it would allow him to come

Uncle Jack!" she said sweetly. She walked him away before running back into her room and

over her eyes, but Emily couldn't sleep. She sat up when she heard Beryl's call.

Uncle Jack?" Beryl looked up at her mother with innocent eyes.

just having a little talk." Emily didn't really want to explain

don't want Uncle Jack to come to our

paused a moment. "Why's that?

that Jack was quite good with children. In such a short period

mommy," Beryl frowned. "Mommy, I'm always on your side!

warmed Emily's heart. She knew her daughter loved her very

stood on her tiptoes and gave her mom a kiss on her cheek. "I love you mommy,

care about you most, too." She took her into her arms and stroked her hair with all the gentleness of a mother.

at the question. "Um…" she rubbed her arms and

glassy at the bittersweet

she brought her up herself undoubtedly. How could it be that she couldn't quite understand the child's decision? The more sensible and clear headed Beryl was, the more distressed Emily felt.

supposed to sound so mature at her young age?

went to work as she usually

bit absent-minded-- she even spilled her coffee on

alright?" She looked rather

and diligent in her work. What was wrong with her

" Emily reassured. She put some pressure on her temples, and pinched the bridge of her nose, obviously tired. A feeling

attention on her work. She shook her head as if it could shake off her haziness, but failed. She set her files

a bit, but froze when she