CHAPTER 4 Tiny Victory

I cleaned up while cooking. I had to finish quickly if I don't want my goddamn husband to raise hell on me. By the time I was cooking the last set of pancakes, I was also almost done cleaning up the mess we had made in the kitchen.

I sighed after mopping the floor. The day hasn't even started, and yet I am already exhausted.

"Is it done, mommy?" Mira's crystal voice rang inside the kitchen, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I turned to see her still in the arms of her father. My heart instantly warmed at the sight. A genuine smile painted on my lips.

"Yes, amor," I gently told her, not minding the dagger looks Ares is currently throwing at me. What's his problem? I already cleaned up the mess. Besides, Mira had fun. Wasn't it enough reason to let it slide?

Well, I guess not when I enjoyed it as much. He seemed to despise the idea of me being happy. But I won't let him ruin my day.

"Come, let's eat," I said, placing the remaining pancakes on the table. I checked to see if everything is set.

"Wow!" Mira squealed in delight. She thrashed against her father's arms, signaling that she wanted to let go. Ares carefully seated her in the high chair.

"Let's eat!" she tapped her hands on the table, trying to reach the pancakes.

"Careful, it's hot," I warned her while pouring Ares his black coffee.

"Here," I put the cup in front of him, avoiding eye contact the whole time.

Then I proceeded to assist our daughter. I cut her pancakes into smaller pieces so it will be easier for her to chew.

"More syrup, please?" she looked up at me with those puppy eyes when I stopped putting syrup on her pancakes. I was on the verge of giving in when Ares suddenly butt in.

"Too much sugar is not good for the body, mija," he gently reprimanded her.

I bit my lip, trying so hard not to be affected by his husky voice. Damn it, Camilla!

I wanted to smack myself for being so weak when it comes to him.

"Aww," Mira pouted, waking me back to the present.

"You can have more blueberries, though," I said to cheer her up.

"And strawberries?" she asked innocently.

"Of course," I nodded, glancing at Ares to see his reaction, but he was already sipping his coffee.

I just shrugged and kept feeding our daughter, who is already so energetic early in the morning.

"Ah," she playfully opened her mouth, urging me to feed her.

I chuckled. I pierced a piece of pancake with a fork and put it into her mouth.

"Yum!" she grinned while chewing. She's the cutest child I have ever seen. Not that I had seen a lot, though. Before having her, I saw babies and toddlers as mere nuisances. Well, not anymore. 

No matter how hard my situation is right now, I still won't have it any other way. I will still let myself willingly fall into Ares's trap if it means bringing Mira into this world.

"Feed Daddy too!" Mira suddenly yelled, making me almost choke on the blueberry I was eating.

What?! Does she know what she's asking? Her father will probably kill me if I ever dare try!

"Mira," before I could come up with an excuse, our daughter had already cut me off.

"Look, he's not eating mommy!" she pointed at her father, who only has coffee in the morning.

Ares looked at her with a light frown on his forehead. I stopped myself from laughing at his reaction. Anyone may think he is a tough man, but deep inside, he is wrapped around Mira's cute, chubby little fingers.

I pursed my lips, trying so hard to hide the ghost of a smile that wanted to show.

"Should I feed him, too?" I found myself playfully asking before I could even think twice.

Damn it! Think about digging your own grave, Camilla!

"Yes!" Mira nodded eagerly.

I glanced at Ares, who looked like he had eaten something horrible. I looked down at my plate to hide my smirk. Just like what I did to Mira, I pierced another piece of pancake, but this time it was a bigger slice.

Before Ares could refuse or say another word, I shoved the pancake into his mouth. He was left with no choice but to accept it since Mira was watching him intently. Her gaze never left him until he started chewing.

"It's good, right, Daddy?" she asked innocently.

"Uh-huh," Ares snorted while wiping his lips.

I quickly looked away before I got other ideas. I cleared my throat, then stuffed my mouth with a pancake as well.

What was wrong with me? I will surely pay for that stunt, but boy, it was worth it. The look on his face when I shoved the pancake in his mouth was hilarious! I will gladly take a beating for that!

Not that he beats me, though. Well, not physically, at least. I don't know whether it was something I should be thankful for or not. He had never raised a hand at me, even though he had already torn my heart into a million pieces.

The verbal and emotional abuse was enough to wreck every fiber of my being, not to mention the occasional sexual abuse he put me through. I can't decide which is worse. Not that it matters now.

"More, daddy?" Mira asked.

I tilted my head to shake my thoughts away before looking back at Ares, who firmly shook his head to answer.

"Please?" she whined. "Mommy, Daddy needs to eat more."

Sure, amor. You don't need to say it twice.

Before Ares could react, another huge piece of pancake was already in front of his mouth. He glanced at me, then looked at Mira, who was waiting for him to take another bite.

I heard him sigh before reluctantly opening his mouth. I quickly pushed the fork into his mouth, imagining sliding it further into the back of his throat.

Tss. I shook my head. What am I thinking? I wouldn't want to be a murderer in front of my daughter.

Ares' eyes were wide when my gaze returned to him. It was as if he just saw what was going on inside my head. I sneered.

"One more?" Mira insisted.

"I'm full, mija," he said. "Why don't you eat more?"

He pushed her plate closer to her, probably to keep her busy.

"You're full already?!" she asked in disbelief. 

"Yes," he picked up a slice of strawberry and brought it to her mouth. She gladly took it and munched enthusiastically.

He then glared at me after making sure our daughter wasn't looking. I looked away and took a sip of my coffee, feigning cluelessness.

These are the only times that I could get back at him. Why can't he just let it slide? After all, he can't say no to our daughter either. He wants me to do it for him, but sorry, I won't.

I took a deep breath, enjoying my little win. Annoying him was the closest I could get to revenge, so why not enjoy it?

Only that, it was short-lived. My tiny moment of victory didn't even linger before someone chose to ruin it. The steady sound of her heels clicking on the wooden floor was enough giveaway of who she was. It was enough to ruin my day.

My jaw clenched when she entered the dining room with a fake, wide smile on her lips.

Sofia...