"Mama I'm hungry" Aeri said with a pout. "I'll set the table and then you can eat,okay?" I said.
"Okay" she mumbled. The doorbell rang right after.
"I'll open the door!" Aeri said. "You can't"
"Yes I can"
She tried to reach the doorknob with her tiptoe. She looked at me hopelessly.
"Let me" I said. "Tell him I opened the door" Aeri stepped back a little.
I unlocked the door. "Welcome home, Dad," she beamed.
Jisung patted her head and smiled. Jisung went inside while holding his daughter's hand.
"Did you cook?" Jisung asked,frowning. "Yes"
"I told you, you don't have to" he said because my cooking skills aren’t that great. According to him it's not good.
But I think it tastes okay. Not that bad.
"Why don't you freshen up? I'll set the table" I suggested. He didn’t say anything. He made his way to the bedroom.
Aeri sat on her chair,observing her surroundings.
______
"Dad, you should stop looking at the food. Eat already"
"I'm eating" Jisung said but still looked at his plate,planning to not eat it.
"Did you pour too much salt by mistake or was it your recipe?" Jisung asked me.
"Is it salty for you?" I asked. "No it's good" Aeri swallowed.
"You are eating a different dish,Ri," Jisung pointed. "So what?" the little girl pouted.
Jisung stood up instead of eating. "Where are you going,dad?"
"Kitchen. You can continue eating" he pecked Aeri's forehead and headed to the kitchen with his plate.
A sharp sound was heard right after. The little girl looked at me worriedly.
"I'll check," I said, getting up.
"What was that?" I asked. "Nothing." he said,picking up the spoon that fell off from his plate,most probably because he harshly put the plate.
"What happened? Are you okay?" I asked. "I told you not to cook. You don’t have to cook. But you never listen to me."
"Then will you cook? It's not like you'll cook after coming home. I come home earlier than you so I just cook. Aeri needs to eat early so that she can sleep early"
"You don’t have to worry about her that much. She has me."
"What do you mean? Do I not take care of her well?" I asked. Does he think I can't take care of her? Does he think I'm not good enough to become a mother?
"It's not what I said. You might end up blaming her in future, saying you had to sacrifice a lot because of my daughter "
"Why are you saying it like this? I love her too. How can I ever blame her?" It really hurts hearing Jisung's comment.
"After all she isn't your daughter. Sooner or later you'll-"
"Mama,water!" Aeri shouted. "Coming" I didn’t have any wish to listen to his thoughts anymore. I left the kitchen, going to Aeri.
"You finished your food?" I asked,pouring water on her glass. She nodded.
"Aeri" Jisung called,looking at her with a very serious look.
"Hm?" She looked up at her dad. He hesitated before continuing. "Do you like y/n more than N-"
"Jisung," I hissed. "More than who? I love mama the most." Aeri said
