Chapter 4

I spent two hours on a crucial phone call in Callum’s study. When I emerged, they still hadn’t returned.

Once, I would have been worried sick. Now, I only felt bitter irony.

In the living room, my phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number. The attached photo showed Mila and Sophie hand in hand, running toward Callum on the beach. Their faces glowed with joy beneath the sparklers‘ light – the perfect family portrait. Without me.

The next message confirmed my suspicions: “Seven years of deception must make you furious. I hope you’ll make the right choice.”

Sophie’s words were carefully crafted, but her meaning was clear: step aside gracefully.

Before I could respond, the front door opened. Callum and Mila entered, guilt flickering briefly across their matching faces before Mila thrust a portrait into my hands.

“Mommy, Daddy drew this for you!”

studied the portrait of myself, unchanged from years ago. The artist’s care was evident in every stroke. Once, it would have

Aria?”

Sophie’s signature perfume. “Callum,

been honest then, perhaps we could have ended things

glanced at Mila, who gave an

framing shop lady was wearing perfume – it rubbed off

paranoid!” Mila planted her hands on her hips, face scrunched in rehearsed indignation.

added. “Even if you don’t trust me, surely you trust

My daughter, with eyes so like my own, met my gaze without flinching. Like

1.8%

Chapter 4

tugged Callum toward her room, muttering, “Poor Daddy, Mommy’s so

arrived: “If you doubt me, I can prove it. Within three minutes, your beloved

daughter will make up an excuse

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255