When school closed for the day, Leila was surprised to discover that the person picking her up was her father.
"Daddy, why did you come to pick me up?" she asked softly as she slipped into the front seat of the car. This was rare since his schedule was always hectic.
"I want us to have dinner together. My assistant has already booked a room for us," he declared, reversing the car.
"Oh..." Leila nodded with a smile.
The car ride was silent, but it wasn't awkward; instead, it was comforting. Leila gazed out of the window, feeling a sense of calm she rarely experienced at home.
"Daddy, about stepmother..." Leila began, playing with her fingers on her lap.
She was about to continue when he spoke, his tone a little cold. "Why didn't you tell me how she treats you? Huh? Did you forget that you have a father?"
Leila blinked in her seat and said nothing, knowing he was very angry at her.