“Because these things have to be done!” The injustice of it was like a knife to the heart. Something hot started to simmer inside her. “Doctor’s appointments, parent–teacher meetings—they all have to be done, and someone has to do them. And that someone is never you, so it has to be me.”

“I know you like to think you’re doing it all, but I helped out plenty of times.”

“Helped out?” The slow simmer became a dangerous boil of anger. “The responsibilities of life and parenthood are not mine for you to ‘help’ with. They’re ours, to be shared equally. It’s called being an adult, Richard. If I spent too much time doing ‘boring chores,’ then it’s because you weren’t doing your share.”

If she didn’t calm down she’d have a heart attack, and she could not leave Zoe in the care of this overgrown child. Zoe’s teeth would fall out, she’d have no clean clothes, and she’d never make it to school on time. Also, she’d give up drama, and Richard wouldn’t even think to ask her why.

“It’s not my fault that you’ve forgotten how to enjoy yourself. I should probably call you Martyr Milly.”

His words were so wounding, so deeply unfair, that for a moment Milly was robbed of breath.

“This conversation started because I was asking you to stick to the plans you make with Zoe. Or is she one of your ‘chores’ too? I’d hate to think that seeing your daughter deprives you of your precious fun.”

She was glad she was alone in the office. There was no chance of Zoe overhearing.

What had happened to him? Since when had he been this selfish?

“I’m going to ignore that because it seems you’re determined to be difficult. And as for Zoe, I can’t pick her up from drama this weekend because it’s Avery’s mother’s birthday, and we’re taking her for a champagne afternoon tea at a manor house near here, but she can come and stay with us next weekend. I’ll pick her up Friday after school and drop her back Sunday night.”

“And Avery is okay with that?” She was going to stay calm. She was going to overlook the fact that Avery’s mother’s birthday was taking precedence over his commitment to his daughter. “It isn’t going to get canceled?”

“Avery suggested it. She put it in the calendar.”

And Milly was expected to flex because that was what she did. And if she didn’t do it, Zoe suffered and Milly was labeled difficult.