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.

on the arm and turned around to see Jack, pointing to my hands which I didn't know were

breath and immediately looked away from his face before forgetting that it's my daughter's party and punched in the face... the one that will

took a step forward to get

"Let me carry her---"

playmates are waiting." I ignored what Luke said and I still took

daughter. He didn't protest, but I felt the stares he's

her every birthday while she blew her candles... but sad to

happy birthday to Cali in one...

happy birthday to 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

I wasn't ready to talk to him yet. The moment I saw him earlier brought back the scene... the painful scene that I witnessed three

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 to

I'm sorry if I didn't---" he started talking, but when I saw Jack, I called her

me bring food from the

"Sure." She shrugged, smiling.

and went to the kitchen

you talk

a frown as soon as we entered

hotel bar, you know when they were..." she just shrugged instead of continuing her

smile but then I shook

no need for that,

Haist... anyway, in case he denies it and you need proof, I'll

Even if he denies it, I've already seen the truth

stopped myself from getting my phone and took a picture. Because the scene I witnessed was enough to torture me even in my sleep and if ever, I'm sure I couldn't bear to look at it every time I check my phone. "Okay, so

still don't

the party." She patted me on

"Yeah, you're right."

I was also avoiding my mother because I don't know how long I could

noticed that Luke was walking in my direction, so because I felt startled, I almost

to open your

with the

"Okay, let's go."

She even clapped her

"Are you excited, baby?"

"Yes, mommy!"

I drew Rory and Elaine's attention to help me bring the gifts to the center

some of her gifts just to keep myself busy because Luke was just next to

She exclaimed upon seeing the beautiful doll which was Jack's gift to

Jack is a beautiful doll, do you think they talked about