CHASING MY DREAM AFTER DIVORCE

Emma POV Watching my 7 years old daughter perform in front of everybody. Her jovial smile as she sprinted up and down, showing everyone her talents, which I had no idea that she had. Yes, I did not believe it would be this. She had told me continuously of how she was going to become Juliet in the new live-action they were about to do in their school. I sat there clapping my hands proudly as everybody's gaze was fixed on my daughter. I thanked the lady beside me with a cheerful smile and I pointed to her. “She is my daughter.” I am so glad to see that she could actually perform this way. I said to her as she chuckled. “Wow, she did a really great job embodying the character.” I've never seen a small girl be this jovial. She muttered to me, and I smiled. But I did not lose the fact that I was still expecting my husband to arrive at the show. Lily had called to me how she wanted her father to be here for her, how she wanted her father to see her perform and be proud of her, to come out and hand her a gift when she wins as the best. But I had called him multiple times, yet no response. Just then, after feeling so impatient, I brought out my phone and I called him again. It rang and rang continuously, but he did not pick up. I looked at Lily from the stage and she continued to stare around. I knew she was finding her dad around me. Instantly our gaze met and she smiled awkwardly. I knew she was expecting him to be beside me, but instead, the seat beside me, which I had reserved for him, was still empty. Feeling so pissed, I picked up my phone, dialed his number again, and it still continued to ring, taking me straight to voicemail. “What the f**k is wrong with you? Where are you? Your daughter needs you here and you are just busy playing around, staying away from her. Why are you doing this? Lily needs you by her side. You are supposed to be here for sake. You're supposed to be here and be proud of your daughter. Do you even know how it feels, Leo? Do you know how it feels? I am disappointed in you. You have done this countless times and I have continued to cover up for you, but this time around I would not. If she asked me about you, I will tell her straight you are around, being the fool that you are, leaving your daughter aside, leaving her alone. You don't even know how to care for her.” I yelled angrily and instantly ended the call as I threw my phone back into my purse and quickly covered up my frown with a smile. When I noticed Lily was still staring at me, the show continued for a while and even though I was so proud and happy to see my own daughter playing the role which I had always fantasized she would, I still felt sad and disheartened because I knew she would continue to cry on my neck and quarrel with me that her dad did not show up. Even though she goes home, it wouldn't still change anything. Even if he was to buy her heaven and earth, he still did not get to see her perform. After the play was over, I stood at the backstage waiting for her patiently. And then just as expected, she rushed towards me with a wide smile and jumped on me as she roped herself around me. “Mom, did you see how I performed? I did my best. Everyone is giving me an applaud inside telling me that I was the best and I performed perfectly.” Lily muttered to me as I hugged her even tightly, kissing her on the cheek playfully till she began to giggle before gently placing her down. “You did an awesome job. All the parents around, everyone were telling me how they were so jealous of my daughter. She did perfectly.” I said to her as she smiled. “But daddy, Daddy did not come.” She muttered, her face falling into a sad expression as I quickly bent down to her height and hugged her again. “Do not worry. He did not come because he was busy and I would not take that from him. Next time he would have to fulfill his promises of always being there for you. Let's get out of here. Let's stay far away from daddy where he would never find me. Never find you and never make you worry about him. He is not showing up after all.” I said to her as she nodded. “Yes Mommy, I don't want to stay close to him anymore. He did not come for my show. He promised me that he will come. My daddy promised me that he will come. I did not even see him at home to tell him that he should not forget his promises to me. He doesn't even show up at all.” Lily continued as some parents began to pass around, clearly trying to ease the tension in our conversation. Because at this stage, Lily had already begun to weep. I quickly hugged her again and kissed her on the cheek, feeling all emotional. This was all it took for me to make up my mind. I could not continue this anymore. Yes, everyone kept thinking that I would never be able to leave him. But this was my chance. This was my chance to prove them wrong. I cannot continue in this marriage anymore. I cannot continue to watch my daughter being deprived of a father figure while he’s making my life a living hell in that house. Yet I have to pretend, just to pretend to be a housewife when I have so much potential. I can do so many things without him. “We are going to leave, okay? Do not worry. We are living for good.” I muttered to her, now making up my mind I was going to leave Leo once and for all.