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!”

care was evident in every stroke. Once, it

it, Aria?” Callum

trace of Sophie’s signature

we could have ended things amicably.

Mila, who

smoothly. “The framing shop lady was wearing perfume – it rubbed off

paranoid!” Mila planted her hands on her hips, face scrunched

if you don’t trust me,

nudged Mila forward. My daughter, with eyes so like my own, met my gaze without flinching. Like father, like daughter

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Chapter 4

room, muttering, “Poor Daddy, Mommy’s so jealous even after we

you doubt me, I can prove it. Within three

daughter will make up an

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