A Second Chance to Save My Daughter

Chapter 006

Warren ran his fingers over the soft yarn tucked inside his bag, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Molly was too frail for farmwork, so she took in knitting jobs to help make ends meet. Her hands were skilled, and the sweaters she made were warm without being bulky. Yet despite her talent, the family's poverty meant their daughter Daisy didn't own a single warm sweater of her own.

A dull ache settled in Warren's chest. He hated himself for the years he'd wasted, for every moment spent in self-pitying idleness.

He bought two pounds of pork at the market, gripped the package in one hand, and started home. Just before reaching the door, he pulled out the yarn, rice, flour, and cooking oil he'd purchased.

"I'm back!" Warren pushed the door open, grin spreading across his face.

Molly and Daisy were sitting in the courtyard, soaking up the weak winter sun. When Molly saw Warren walk in loaded down with packages, something complicated flickered across her face. Part of her worried he'd done something illegal to get the money. Part of her was simply stunned by the change. Just two days ago, he'd blown their last bit of cash on himself. How could he suddenly be working and bringing home groceries?

Was this really the same man she'd known all these years?

Warren didn't stop to play with Daisy. He set down the rice, flour, and oil, then pressed several soft bundles of yarn into Molly's arms.

Molly stared down at the warm, plush yarn in her hands, momentarily frozen.

"Molly, I found some work at the market today." Warren ruffled Daisy's hair, his voice gentle. "I went to the market today and found some work. Made a little money. Will you knit Daisy a sweater?"

Seeing the doubt still lingering on Molly's face, Warren rushed to explain. "Don't worry, I earned this doing honest work. Nothing shady."

Molly's shoulders relaxed slightly.

"Mama, Mama, the yarn is so soft!" Daisy's eyes went wide with delight. "Daddy, is this really for me?"

Warren laughed. "It's all for you, Daisy. In a few days, you'll have a brand new sweater!"

"You stay out here with your mom and enjoy the sun. Daddy's going to start dinner!"

He scooped up the rest of the groceries and headed into the kitchen, leaving Molly staring after him, still dazed.

Inside, Warren stood at the counter and chopped the two pounds of lean pork into fine mince, then diced two stalks of celery and mixed them in.

Has this man really changed?

The thought still felt fragile, unreal.

"Daddy!"

Daisy's voice snapped Warren out of his thoughts. She'd run into the kitchen and was staring at the bright red pork with wide, hungry eyes, swallowing hard.

Warren set down the knife immediately, voice softening. "Daisy, what are you doing in here? I thought you were keeping your mama company."

Daisy shook her head, eyes shining. "Daddy, are we making dumplings?"

"Benny next door had dumplings once, and his mama mixed the vegetables and the meat together just like this!"

Warren smiled. "That's right. We're making big pork dumplings for you."

Behind him, Molly appeared in the doorway, something unreadable passing through her expression. She crossed to the basin of flour without a word. "I'll knead the dough."

She carried the basin out of the kitchen without looking back.

Warren watched her go, a quiet sigh escaping him. Winning back Molly's trust was going to take time. But that was fine. All he wanted now was to give Molly and Daisy the life they deserved.

Daisy refused to leave, planting herself by the stove to watch Warren's every move.

Between the two of them, Warren and Molly worked quickly. Within half an hour, they'd wrapped all the dumplings. Some went onto a tray by the window to freeze, the rest went straight into boiling water.

Daisy had already claimed a seat at the table, clutching a small dish of vinegar and chili oil.

When the steaming dumplings finally came out, Daisy hesitated. "Daddy... maybe I should only eat a few. We can save the rest for dinner."

The words hit Warren like a punch to the chest. His eyes stung. These were just dumplings, ordinary dumplings, and his daughter couldn't bring herself to eat more than a few. How hard had these years been?

He swallowed the lump in his throat and rested a hand on Daisy's head. "Look at the rack outside, sweetheart. There's plenty more. Eat as much as you want. We'll have them again tonight."

Molly's eyes burned.

She picked up a dumpling with her chopsticks, dipped it in sauce, and bit down. The wrapper was thin, the filling generous, bursting with savory pork and the clean, fresh taste of celery.

She couldn't remember the last time she'd eaten dumplings. Had it been two years, or three?

When they'd first married, Warren had been resentful, unwilling. No matter how much warmth Molly tried to offer, the daily grind had worn her down, smoothed away her hope. Watching Warren sink deeper into apathy year after year had left her hollow.

She'd been ready to leave. She'd made up her mind.

And then, suddenly, he changed.

He was kind to Daisy. He worked to provide for them. He even seemed to care about her.

It was almost too much to believe.

Molly blinked hard, fighting back tears. After a moment, she let herself smile, just a little. "I'm going to Helen's this afternoon to work. You watch Daisy while she naps."

Warren nodded, but his gaze lingered on her face, stunned.

He'd never really looked at Molly properly before. And now, seeing her smile for the first time across both lifetimes, he felt something shift inside him.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small cloth bundle, handing it to Molly. "This is what I earned today. I bought some food and supplies, kept a little for myself, and the rest is for you."

He pressed the bundle into her palm.

Molly froze, and her eyes reddened.

It would be a lie to say she wasn't moved. But how could years of coldness thaw in a single day?

She clenched her fist around the cloth.

Maybe she could give this a little more time.

"There's two hundred dollars in there," Warren added quietly. "Keep it safe. From now on, everything I earn goes to you."

Molly's breath caught. Shock and heartache tangled together in her chest.

Warren had only ever taken money from the house, never brought any in. This was the first time.

She tucked the two hundred dollars away like a treasure and turned her attention back to the meal.

Warren had brought home enough pork for two days' worth of dumplings, so Molly didn't hold back. With this money, and the rice, flour, and oil, they'd eat well for a while.

Watching Daisy devour her food with pure joy, Warren felt his heart swell.

In his past life, he'd worked construction. His coworkers used to complain that their kids were sick of dumplings, refused to eat them. Back then, Warren had thought they were just being picky. Now he realized his own daughter had barely tasted what other children took for granted.

He touched Daisy's thin wrist gently. "I'll go out and work again tomorrow. If I make enough, I'll buy you some milk powder. You're too skinny."

Though if anyone was too thin, it was Molly. Five foot seven and barely ninety pounds, she looked like she hadn't had a proper meal in years.

Warren quickly ladled two bowls of dumpling broth and set them in front of his wife and daughter.