*Flashback continues*
The girl's bottom lips trembled and her eyes pricked with hot tears but she quietly looked at her feet again.
Master Chen bent to his knees, slowly raising his hands to cup her face.
Diana flinched.
The man's eyes softened as he knelt in front of her, ''Sorry, Daddy did not mean that,'' he said, wiping the tears that rolled down her cheeks, ''You, my daughter, are meant to be on top. Always. You are Helian Chen's daughter and you are the best.''
Little Diana kept quiet.
''I sent you to one of the best schools in America because I have high expectations from you. Both my daughters are excellent. I thought last year when you came in the second position was just a fluke but it happened again... I got a call from your Class teacher who informed me about your grades and...'' Master Chen's eyes roamed over the papers spread on the floor, ''And they mailed me all your answer sheets. I am disappointed.''
''Daddy...'' Diana looked at the man through her tears, her vision blurry, ''I promise I will try my best in the next semester.''
Master Chen nodded, ''Always remember that you need to be on the top, just like your elder sister. Do you know that she has got the perfect score once again?"
''I didn't... know,'' Diana shook her head. While she stayed with her caretakers in Los Angeles and studied in Elite school where her mother studied once, her elder sister stayed here with their parents in Beijing and she studied in her father's school.
Master Chen pushed himself to his feet, ''Both my daughters are my pride and I have faith in you. Remember that when you grow up, you will have to take over Daddy's responsibilities. At that time, I don't want anyone to point their fingers at you,'' he ruffled her blonde hair before walking out of the study room.
Diana nodded as she looked at his retreating back. She respected and loved her Daddy because although there were times he made her cry but he made her smile too.
Lost in her thoughts, Diana squatted on the floor and slowly started picking up the answer sheets. She clutched them in her short arms and reached out to grab the loose pages in her other hand.
'Bam'
Diana flinched at the loud sound of the door crashing against the wall.
''Honey—'' Madam Chen paused when her gaze landed on Diana. She looked around in the huge study room before looking back at the girl, ''Babygirl, what are you doing here? Where is your Daddy?" she asked Diana.
Diana's eyes lit up, "Mommy, Daddy just left. Will you play with me today? I will soon be going back to school..." her bottom lips jutted up in a pout.
Diana's mother laughed, "Of course, I will."
Diana's green eyes sparkled. She loved her mother and she loved spending time with her except for the times when she reeked of alcohol, the times she cried endlessly, or when she seethed in anger.
Except for those times, Diana loved her beautiful and sweet mother who always had a smile on her face, and was warm.
''What's that?" the woman glanced at the papers in her hand. "I-It's nothing. Mommy, let's go play," Diana's eyes widened and she immediately tried to hide the papers behind her back but it was too late.
''What is it?" Madam Chen was one step ahead, ''You were trying to hide this...'' her curious gaze turned to the papers in her hand but her casual expressions faded once she saw what it was.
Diana stepped back. One step. Two steps. Three steps.
Her back hit the desk and she paused, gulping softly as she watched her mother's darkening face.
''Again?'' Madam Chen looked at her in disbelief, ''I thought we were over this?''
Diana lowered her head, "M-Mommy, you promised you will play with me before... before I leave again..."
''Look at me,'' Madam Chen commanded, ''I said, look at me!" she strode towards her and pinched her chin when the girl did not respond to her words.
''Ah...'' Diana winced.
''Do you even realize what you are doing? Do you even have an idea what I will go through because you are suddenly losing your intelligence?" Madam Chen gritted her teeth, ''Some of your classmates' mothers are my friends. The last time we had a kitty party, I bragged to them about you always coming in the first position but just a few days later, you gave me a face slap by coming 2nd. One year has passed and I haven't met them because of how embarrassed I felt but now you went at it again. Diana Chen, do you see how lame you have become?''
''Mom...Mommy, I am s-sorry. I will try my best in the next semester," Diana's eyes welled up with tears.
'Pak'
Diana's head whipped to the side, her blonde hair framed her face as a ringing sensation shot through her ears.
''Say it again.''
Diana's fingers curled into a fist, ''...I tried my best this time too...''
'Pak'
''Who taught you to argue with your elders? Have you lost your manners there?"
'Pak'
Diana glanced at her through her tears.
''Looking at me like that, are you trying to glare at me, Diana? Do you want to defy me? All my life, I have been the best at everything I did but how did I give birth to a useless child like you? Not only are you a disappointment, but you are acting like you have no class...'' Madam Chen stepped back from her.
''Mom,'' Little Diana raised her trembling hand and pressed her palm on her stinging cheek, her tears staining her whole face, ''You are not classy either. Anyone who sees this will know—''
''How dare you!" The woman grabbed her hand and threw another tight slap at the girl's face.
Diana lost her balance and her elbow hit the edge of the desk.
''Ahhh...''
'So painful...'
Her vision slowly blurred and her eyelids started drooping.
''Diana? Honey... Open your eyes,'' she heard her mother's stern voice which gradually changed to one filled with concern.
...
A/N: I have now decided on a schedule for this book. I will upload it on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, with 1 chapter every day. There will be a chapter on Tuesday too but keep it optional because I can't be sure about it.
And there will be occasional mass releases ;) of 3 chapters but for that, you will need to motivate me with your reviews and votes haha.
In the future, I will try to increase the chapter updates once I finish my other works :)
Thank you for all your love and support! <333