My Son Asked For A New Dad

My son, Andy, and I were on our way to confront my husband about his affair when we got into a car accident and lost our memories.

Meanwhile, Steve, my husband and a psychologist, prioritized caring for his depressed first love, Olivia, and her daughter, Chloe, traveling the world with them.

When Andy and I finally regained our memories, Steve was surprised to find us quiet, sensible, and incredibly independent.

At first, he was pleased, believing he had perfectly balanced everything.

That was until Christmas, when he went to celebrate with Olivia and Chloe again, only to overhear Andy and me talking outside the door.

Mom, is that man really my dad? Every time I call him Dad, it just feels weird.

I nodded. I think its strange too. He doesnt seem like my type at all. How did I even end up marrying him?

Andy cleverly chimed in, Mom, your type is Mr. Anderson, my teacher, right? Every time after school, his ears turn bright red when he sees you, and he always finds excuses to drive us home I think youve got a real shot!

Before I could answer, my face flushed, Andy leaned closer to my ear. He whispered what he thought was a quiet suggestion, loud enough for anyone outside the door to hear:

Mom, how about we just get a new dad?

At dinner, Id ordered two plates of hot wings, and Andy and I were sweating as we devoured them.

A familiar yet strangely distant voice suddenly spoke from behind us: You didnt wait for me?

We jumped in fright. Turning around, we saw it was Steve, my husband.

He walked closer, saw our chili-stained mouths and the spicy wings on the table, and his brow furrowed. Six years of marriage, and you dont know I have a sensitive stomach and cant handle spicy food?

Andy, munching on his wings, blurted out, We didnt order any for you, these are for us.

Steve froze.

I gave a dry laugh and quickly tried to cover. Um I saw on Ins that you were at the amusement park with Olivia and Chloe. I thought youd eat with them

Emily. He cut me off, his tone habitually impatient. Ive explained this. Olivia and Chloe were abandoned by their husband and are severely depressed. Im a doctor; Im just doing my job.

But what about you? As a wife and mother, you not only caused a scene at my workplace, but youve also taught Andy to be nothing but jealous and petty.

He paused, his voice colder. Was the car accident not enough for you both to reflect and change?

Memories flooded back.

I remembered discovering hed been caring for his high school ex-girlfriend day and night. Id taken Andy with me to confront him.

Hed just pulled us aside, looking exasperated. I didnt tell you because I was afraid youd overthink it. As a doctor, abandoning my patients would be irresponsible.

Dont bring Andy here and act out in front of my patients.

His calm tone made Andy and me seem like hysterical fools.

So, I hired people to display signs outside his hospital that read: Olivia and her daughter are trying to hook up with a married man.

Andy ran around the kindergarten with a megaphone, chasing Chloe and yelling, Shes the other womans daughter! Dont play with her!

Later, Olivia and Chloe cried and threatened self-harm. To force us to back down, Steve got me fired and made Andy an outcast at kindergarten.

I completely broke down, threatening divorce. He finally relented, promising to keep his distance from them.

Andy and I believed him.

We even booked a trip for our fifth wedding anniversary, counting down the days for his rare vacation. That day, we joyfully went to the hospital to pick him up, only to receive a cold FaceTime call:

Urgent business trip, vacation postponed.

Andy and I left the hospital heartbroken. But around the corner, we clearly heard his colleagues chatting, laughing:

Dr. Steve is really devoted to Ms. Olivia, isnt he? He took half a year off to help them with their therapy!

Tell me about it. I heard hes already on his way to the airport to personally escort them.

My ears rang, and my heart felt like it was being ripped out. Before tears could fall, I saw Andys pale little face, big tears rolling down, his voice trembling:

Mom is Dad really abandoning us?

That single sentence shattered my composure.

I immediately grabbed Andy, and we chased after them, desperate for an answer! We needed to understand!

Did he still want this family?

But before we could catch up, the car accident happened.

When I woke up, the world was a blank slate. Except for each other, we didnt remember him. And he conveniently put us aside.

The memories faded.

Andy and I exchanged awkward glances. Even though our memories were back, our feelings werent. In fact, we couldnt understand why we had been so hysterical back then.

We could only reassure him repeatedly that we really wouldnt bother them again.

Steves face grew even darker. After a long moment, he regained his usual air of being in control.

Tomorrow, Im taking them to the forest park for therapy. Remember to prepare packed lunches for three.

Andy, help Chloe organize an extra set of class notes.

He turned, then added lightly,

It would be best if you truly kept your word and stopped doing those embarrassing things.

The door closed, leaving Andy and me to look at each other, then simultaneously shrug.

Then, I pulled out my phone and ordered a deluxe takeout for three.

Andy sent a message to his teacher, politely asking for a backup of the class materials.

As for tomorrow?

We already had plans to go hiking with Mr. Anderson.

Who had time for them?

Early that morning, Olivias soft voice drifted from the living room:

Steve, are we going alone? Or should we still invite Emily and Andy? Im afraid theyll overthink things. Im fine, but Chloe is still young and cant handle more stress

Chloe whispered in agreement, Mom, Im okay. Andy he didnt mean it.

Steves voice was gentle:

Chloe, honey, dont overthink it. Taking them would just cause more trouble, and its not good for your condition.

I sighed, rolled over, and drifted back to sleep.

When I opened my eyes again, I was brutally pulled from the bed.

Steve practically dragged me into the living room.

Look at what your good-for-nothing Andy has done! His voice was barely controlled rage. Look at Chloe!

Olivia was holding a trembling Chloe, who was covered in food stains, her eyes red.

Andy was sitting amidst the mess, clutching three insulated lunchboxes, his little face beet-red, tears falling in big drops onto the floor.

I didnt push her! he cried. Shes a thief! She stole the lunch Mom made for me! I just wanted to get it back!

Steve didnt even look at him. He was carefully wiping Chloe with a wet wipe, whispering words of comfort to Olivia. Only after he finished did he turn to me, his eyes filled with a weary, knowing look, as if to say, I knew it.

Emily, just because I asked you to make a few extra lunches, you got resentful and taught Andy to do such despicable things again?

You made a promise last night. Are you already going back on your word?

I took a deep breath, patiently explaining:

I really didnt. And I believe Andy isnt lying. I already left your lunches on the dining table. Maybe Chloe accidentally picked up the wrong one

Enough. Steve interrupted impatiently, his eyes like he was watching a pathetic act.

Stop acting. I havent forgotten what youve done before. You should really reflect on how to be a competent mother.

All my words caught in my throat.

We had agreed to meet each other halfway; as long as he kept his distance from Olivia and Chloe, we would be fine.

After that, Steve did come home on time and reported his whereabouts.

But if Chloe got even a tiny scratch at kindergarten, he would always show up immediately, unilaterally demanding Andy apologize. When Andy was unable to defend himself, Steve would just coldly look at me:

Emily, are your promises so worthless? Stop making a fuss. Dont exhaust all my patience and feelings. If it comes to that, therell be nothing left for us to say.

The worst time, he just dropped a line: An Andy with such malicious thoughts? I dont want him.

Young Andy couldnt bear such words. He chased after him barefoot, his feet bloody from the pavement, grabbing his shirt and admitting to all the groundless accusations:

Dad! Im sorry! Its all my fault! I wont ever do it again! I apologized to Chloe!

Please dont abandon Mom and me!

From then on, Andy never dared to defend himself.

I sighed softly. What was the point of explaining? In his eyes, we were already repeat offenders with a record.

I hugged Andy tight, my voice low and calm: Andy, give them the lunchboxes.

Andys body stiffened, then he wiped his face hard, no longer arguing, and silently pushed the tightly protected lunchboxes toward them.

Steve no longer looked at us. He bent down, picked up Chloe in one arm, and with his other hand, gently guided Olivias back, shielding them by his side as he turned and left.

Bang!

The door slammed shut, clean and sharp, and the house suddenly became terrifyingly quiet.

Only Andy and I were left, amidst the scattered mess on the floor.

I silently picked up a cloth and began cleaning. Andy also knelt down, helping me pick up the overturned items. After a while, I quietly asked:

Andy, if one day, Mom and Dad separate

Who would you want to live with?

When things were at their worst with Steve, I had asked him this, and back then he had cried his heart out:

I dont want Mom and Dad to separate. I want our family to be together forever.

But now, he barely hesitated. He looked up, his eyes clear and firm:

Ill stay with Mom.

No matter what happens, Ill only stay with Mom.

I looked at him and suddenly smiled. The last bit of chill in my heart instantly melted into warmth.

I stroked his head.

Okay.

Then there was nothing to be afraid of.

After cleaning up the last of the mess, the doorbell rang.

Emily? Andy? Are you home?

Andys eyes lit up. Its Mr. Anderson! He ran to open the door.

Outside, a clean-cut and handsome young man bent down, catching the child who rushed into his arms. Seeing Andys red and swollen eyes, Mr. Andersons voice immediately softened. Whats wrong, Andy? Did you cry?

Andy buried his face in his shoulder, whimpering miserably, Moms lunch it was taken

Its okay, Mr. Anderson gently patted his back, his voice warm. I made new ones, all the things you and your mom love to eat.

He was very good at coaxing children, and with a few words, he made Andy smile through his tears.

Mr. Anderson then looked up at me, smiling apologetically. Im sorry, Emily. Didnt get an answer when I called, so I got a bit worried and just came over.

Please dont say that, I quickly replied. Youre a lifesaver for Andy and me. Just call me Emily.

Half a year ago, during that car accident, it was Mr. Anderson who pulled us from the mangled car and ran red lights to get us to the hospital.

Later, when he learned we had partial memory loss and were a bit slow to react, he voluntarily took on the task of providing our daily meals and taking Andy to and from school.

When our memories returned, he discreetly stepped back to a respectful distance. But not long after hearing the full story of the accident, he became Andys new teacher at kindergarten.

Mr. Andersons ears tinged red as he softly said, Emily, Ive planned all the hiking routes. Shall we head out?

Indeed, everything was perfectly organized, just as he said. He naturally took all the heavy items and put them in his backpack. When Andy got tired of walking, he naturally knelt down. Andy, hop on.

I felt a little guilty. Dont spoil him too much, Mr. Anderson. Youre already carrying a lot.

He just smiled, his hand hovering gently at my side. Its fine, I work out regularly. Ive got enough strength.

For some reason, looking at his clear profile, my heart skipped a beat. Even when we reached the rest area and he took Andy to buy water, that flutter hadnt subsided.

Just then, a childish yet familiar voice came from afar:

Dad! Lets go!

Followed by Olivias laughing voice: Chloe, slow down, be careful not to fall.

Finally, Steves smiling reply: Chloe, Im going to catch you!

I turned my head, and my gaze met theirs across the distance.

The air froze instantly.

Olivias face paled. She suddenly pulled Chloe into her arms, her voice trembling. Mrs. Steve are you, are you tracking us again?

Steve and I really have nothing going on. Chloe just wants a dad so badly, thats why she spoke out of turn Whatever issues you have, take them out on me, dont hurt the child

Steve immediately stepped forward, completely shielding Olivia and Chloe behind him, as if I were some kind of monster. His jaw was tight, his brows deeply furrowed.

Emily, I told you this is therapy. Their emotions are very fragile, and they cant handle stress. How many times do I have to tell you to get rid of your suspicious tendencies?

I looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar face before me, and this scene that had countless times made me lose control and break down. Yet, my heart was utterly calm, almost finding it absurd.

You cant even empathize with your past self. I dont even know what feelings I have for this man anymore.

If I loved him, I should be angry.

But I waved my hand, my tone light. I understand, its your duty as a psychologist. You dont need to explain it to me.

Im just here to hike and happened to run into you. You guys carry on. Just pretend Im not here.

Steve visibly froze, his gaze fixed on me. Chloe called me Dad. Youre not angry?

I was a little confused. Angry about what?

He stared intently at my face, trying to find a trace of pretense, but found nothing. His face grew increasingly grim, his entire demeanor colder.

After a long silence, he seemed to reach a conclusion, his voice cold and firm. Stop acting, Emily. I know youre pouting. Well talk properly later, but for now, you should go home. I wont hold this against you this time.

I was about to speak when a clear, pleasant male voice came from behind me:

Emily, whats wrong?

Steve looked in the direction of the voice and suddenly froze.

What happened?

Mr. Anderson, holding a sticky-faced Andy who was covered in candy, walked quickly to my side.

I stepped forward. What took you so long? Did Andy get greedy again?

Catching Andys pleading gaze, Mr. Anderson smiled, rescuing him. Just one small marshmallow for energy. Heres yours.

He said, conjuring a larger marshmallow from behind his back and handing it to me.

I instinctively smiled, just about to take it

Emily, Steves cold voice cut in. Who is he?

Chloe, peeking out from behind him, whispered, Why is Mr. Anderson here?

I paused, realizing that since Olivia and Chloe appeared, Steve had never been to the kindergarten, nor had he ever cared who helped us after the car accident.

This was the first time he had seen Mr. Anderson.

This is Mr. Anderson, I introduced. He saved Andy and me after the car accident six months ago.

When it was time to introduce Steve, Mr. Anderson had already naturally extended his hand with a smile. You must be Chloes father, then? Pleasure to meet you.

As the words left his mouth, Steves face instantly turned livid.

He looked at Andy and me, saw our lack of reaction, and his voice grew colder. I am Andys father. But Mr. Anderson, why are you with my wife and child?

Mr. Anderson came to hike with us! Andy hugged Mr. Andersons neck, his voice full of affection. Hes super strong! He carried me for a long time and didnt get tired!

Steve seemed to be trying hard to suppress his anger. He pulled back the hand that was protectively around Olivia and Chloe, stepped forward, and reached out to Andy. Come here, Ill carry you. Dont bother outsiders.

Andys smile instantly froze. He twisted his little face and buried it tightly in Mr. Andersons arms.

Its no trouble at all, Mr. Anderson said, his arms steady as he held the child, his smile still gentle.

I spoke softly, Dont you still need to continue therapy with Olivia and Chloe? Dont delay your important work. Go on. Andy will understand.

Steve, however, seemed glued to the spot. No matter how Chloe tugged at his sleeve, he didnt move, just stared intently at me, his eyes filled with incredulous anger.

Emily, his voice was hoarse. Are you truly so indifferent?

Work is important, I replied blandly.

Steve scoffed, laughing in anger. Fine. Dont regret this.

Seeing this, Olivias eyes immediately reddened. She pulled her daughter close, her voice trembling:

Steve, dont be like this Emily and Andy must still be angry with us. You should spend time with them. Chloe and I can just go back by ourselves

No need, Steve sneered, then his voice instantly softened as he turned to her.

Didnt you say you learned a new dish? Id love to try it. And I can still draw with Chloe. He said, naturally putting his arm around Olivias shoulder and taking Chloes hand.

Before turning away, he gave me a deep look. Ill be home late tonight. Dont call to disturb us.

I was very obedient. I didnt call him once.

It wasn't until late at night that my phone screen lit up. It was a message from him:

Emily. Good, you are very good.

Then, for two weeks straight, Steve didnt come home.

His Ins, however, constantly showed photos of him traveling with Olivia and Chloe. The location was the Maldivesthe very place we had planned for our wedding anniversary trip but never went.

The scenery was indeed beautiful. I instinctively tapped 'like'.

That same night, Steve called. His voice held a hint of suppressed triumph:

Emily, stop pouting. I saw your like. Isnt Andys birthday the day after tomorrow? Ill buy him presents and rush back.

I was half-asleep. No need to bother. Andys birthday was the day before yesterday. Mr. Anderson celebrated with him and gave him lots of presents.

The other end fell silent.

I I got it mixed up. His voice was tight. Ill be back tomorrow to throw Andy a make-up party.

I was about to refuse, but he hung up.

Oh well. He is the childs father, after all.

The next day, I took Andy to the hotel, following the address Steve had sent.

The party was grander than any before. He came forward, bending to hug Andy. Happy birthday, Andy. All the gifts I bought you have been sent home. Do you like them?

Andy instinctively shifted, avoiding his touch, and nodded. Thanks. I like them.

Steves outstretched hand froze in mid-air, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face.

He led us into the banquet hall, where a giant screen displayed scrolling photos of Chloe.

He quickly explained, Its also Chloes birthday today, so I thought the two kids could celebrate together. You know, her father left them after she was born

Its okay, I cut him off. I understand.

Chloes birthday celebration was first.

She wore an expensive, limited-edition princess dress, dancing gracefully on stage, holding a microphone, and thanking Steve for filling the void left by her father.

I looked down at Andy, who was just quietly eating his cake, completely unfazed. I smiled softly, wiping the cream from the corner of his mouth.

Before it was Andys turn on stage, Olivia called me to the hotel poolside.

She had shed her usual gentleness, a triumphant smile playing on her lips.

Emily, do you see? Even if youve been married for six years and have Andy, as long as Im around, in Steves heart, you and your Andy will always come second to us.

Whether its the trip you looked forward to, or Andys birthday guilt isnt love. Its just pity.

Are you suggesting I divorce him? I said calmly.

Dont worry, Ill find a chance to bring it up.

She paused, looking confused. Youd give him up? You even gave up a chance to study abroad for him back then.

I vaguely remembered that in college, Steve was a campus celebrity, handsome and brilliant.

But his personality wasnt my type.

Until that one time, he saved me from a dangerous situation.

After that, I became completely obsessed with him, convinced I couldnt live without him, and pursued him all through college.

I even had a huge fight with my parents, gave up my career prospects, and desperately wanted to marry him.

But now, looking back, my heart was completely calm, and I even felt that my past self must have read too many romance novels back then, which led to so many embarrassing actions.

I shook my head, my voice sincere. Its nothing. If you like him, you can have him.

Emily, what are you saying?!

Steve stood behind us, his face ashen, his eyes slightly red.

Olivia glanced behind me and coldly snorted. Keep up the act. Ill make you give up.

Before I could react, she suddenly fell backward! I instinctively reached out to grab her, but the momentum pulled me with her into the cold swimming pool!

Emily!

Mom!

Cold water suddenly filled my nose and mouth. I struggled desperately.

Through my blurry vision, I saw Steve hesitate for a moment, then swim without hesitation toward Olivia.

The pool water completely submerged my head, cutting off all sound.

In the chaos, a firm arm suddenly lifted me, and I was pulled into a warm embrace.