She must not have liked it here. I wanted to take her away. I packed up all our things, holding Tania's ashes and moved back to the first house where she was born.

Day and night, I stayed by Tania's ashes, repeatedly tormenting myself by watching the surveillance footage of what happened before her accident.

***

After I left for the business trip, Tania was happy at first, probably because she could spend time alone with Sherry. She ran back to her little room, took out her cherished candies and excitedly brought them to Sherry.

Sherry was focused on her phone and didn't even glance at her. Tania carefully pushed her hand forward, accidentally blocking the phone screen.

Sherry frowned, impatiently pushing her little hand away and the candies scattered on the floor.

Tania stood nearby, unconsciously biting her fingers, unsure of what she had done wrong to upset her mother.

She timidly stepped aside. Seeing that Sherry still didn't look at her, she lowered her head in disappointment and sat in the corner, curling up and trying to make herself as invisible as possible.

After a while, Tania seemed to get a bit thirsty. She kept glancing at Sherry and, after hesitating, slowly walked over to her.

"Mom, I'm thirsty. Can you help me get some water?" she asked.

Sherry was video calling someone, her face full of delight and waved her hand dismissively and said, "Go get some water yourself."

Since Tania was little, I taught her not to touch hot water by herself because it would burn her. On the surveillance footage, I saw Tania running to the bathroom, turning on the faucet and taking a few sips of cold water before obediently curling up in the corner again.

It was noon in a blink of an eye and Sherry still had no intention of cooking.

Her soft voice said, "Mommy, I'm hungry ..."

Sherry replied coldly, "I know, I'll order takeout."

Tania sighed with relief and finally showed a bit of a smile. The takeout arrived, but it was all spicy crawfish, spicy burrito and iced cappuccino, things Sherry liked.

Tania took a bite, gasping for air as her tongue burned, "Mommy, it's too spicy ..."

Her mom scolded her harshly, "Just eat it! Why do you have so many complaints? It won't kill you. Eat it or don't eat it at all!"

Tania, with tears in her eyes, lowered her head and forced down two more bites, "Mommy's right, it's really good!"