One More Chance by Jaycelle Rodriguez

Chapter 47: Cali's Party

~~Now, I don't wanna lose you, but I don't wanna be the one to cry. And like a fool who will never see the truth, I keep thinking something's gonna change. But there's a danger in loving somebody too much and it sad when you know it's your heart you can't trust. There's a reason why people don't stay where they are, baby, sometimes love just ain't enough~~~

-Patti Smith-

"Sam, the kids are waiting for Cali to blow out her candles. What are we waiting for?" My mom asked me, patting me on the shoulder.

"Uhm..." I stopped abruptly and thought about her question. She's right, what am I waiting for?

I looked around and saw the kids having fun playing while some were looking at the tall cake inspired by Frozen's character, Elsa. I also checked the time from my wristwatch and saw that it was already 3:00 in the afternoon.

Then I realized that my mother's question was wrong. It should be 'Who are you waiting for?' because until then, Luke is still nowhere to be seen.

"Nothing, mom." I shook my head and was about to call my daughter when she grabbed my hand.

"Is he not coming?"

I glanced at her and simply shrugged.

"I don't know, mom."

"Are you okay?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be okay?"

"Samantha---" but I didn't let her speak.

"I think we should gather the kids in the middle, so they could start singing happy birthday for Cali." I smiled and turned around immediately to go to my daughter.

I know my mother too well. She wouldn't stop asking me until she got the answer and I'm not ready to talk about it... not in front of everyone, especially in front of my daughter.

"Cali, do you want to blow your candles now, baby?"

"Yes, mommy, but isn't daddy coming?"

"Baby---" but I was interrupted when Luke suddenly spoke behind me and headed towards his daughter.

"Who said I'm not coming to my princess birthday party, huh?"

"Daddy!" Cali screamed in excitement the time she saw her father.

But I couldn't help raising an eyebrow and clenching my teeth as I watched him lift her with his two hands... the same hands he used to touch his mistress. He even peppered her light kisses... the same way he used to pamper his slut.

Jack, pointing to my hands which I didn't know were formed into a

forgetting that it's my daughter's party and punched in the face... the one

a step forward to get her from

"Let me carry her---"

ignored what Luke said and

didn't miss the confusion that manifested in his eyes, but I continued to take my daughter. He didn't protest, but I felt the stares he's giving me while we were walking towards the

carrying Cali in her every birthday while she blew her candles... but

let us sing happy birthday to Cali in one... two...

happy birthday to

in the family helped me distribute the sliced cake to the kids. We didn't invite many guests, those were just closed friends and some of our neighbours. The party is literally for kids only

ready to talk to him yet. The moment I saw him earlier brought back the scene... the painful scene that I witnessed

that he seemed to have something to say and that he wanted to talk to me, but every time he tries, it's either I walked away or I will talk to someone just

I didn't---" he started talking, but when I saw Jack,

me

"Sure." She shrugged, smiling.

garden and went to the kitchen without

if you need evidence once you talk to him, just let me

asked Jack with a frown

of them at the hotel bar, you know

her a weak smile but then I shook

no need for that,

case he denies it and you need

he denies it, I've already seen the truth and that would

thought about it when I caught them, but I stopped myself from getting my phone and took a picture. Because the scene I witnessed was enough to torture me even in my

still don't

the party."

"Yeah, you're right."

I pretended not to notice him. I was also avoiding my mother because I don't know how long I could be able to keep

held my breath when I noticed that Luke was walking in my direction, so because I felt startled, I almost tripped on the floor... but I pretended

to

with the widest smile written

"Okay, let's go."

even

"Are you excited, baby?"

"Yes, mommy!"

I succeed to avoid my husband. I drew Rory and Elaine's attention to help me bring the gifts to the center of

gifts just to keep

upon seeing the beautiful doll

your Uncle Dale's gift is a huge dollhouse while Untie Jack is a beautiful doll, do you think they talked about it or they