Chapter 2

[Elara]

I’m still in a daze when Cora squeals and runs off to Damon. “Daddy!”

Excited, she wraps her little arms around him, grinning up at him. “Daddy, you finally came. Mommy and I have been waiting for you for so long.”

I smile at her innocence, at her excitement, and the way she looks up to him as if she’s the luckiest in the world.

‘Daddy, do you know we made a surprise—’

“Cora.” Damon brushes a light kiss against her cheek before pulling her back, a faint frown crossing his face. “Don’t call me Dad, okay? Look, that little boy doesn’t have a father.You need to play with him and share your toys these next few days, okay?”

She frowns, her small face full of confusion. “But… Daddy—”

“Stop it.” His tone is sharp, but he forces himself to soften it. “I’ll have Mommy give you your birthday present later, okay?”

Somehow, the way he says it breaks my heart.

Lately, Damon has been so busy, coming home later and later, and I can’t help connecting it to Hannah’s return—a wound he’d kept sealed for five long years suddenly ripped open.

But I can’t stand that he won’t let my own daughter call him Dad—just for the sake of another child.

I pull Cora to me and cup her face. “Sweetheart, why don’t you go to your room and open the gift that Mommy got you? I’ll join you soon.”

My little girl quickly wipes her tears. “Okay, Mommy.”

She does as she’s told, and I watch her small figure disappear into her room.

I turn to Damon. “Do you really have to be so heartless? It’s her birthday today! The least you can do is be nice to her.”

His glare turns colder. “I tried,” he mocks, taking a step in my direction and leaning close to whisper in my ear. “If you hadn’t tampered with the protection, do you think I’d be dealing with her at all?”

Even though I should be used to his hatred and indifference by now, he still leaves me speechless.

I wipe the corner of my eye before he can see the tear threatening to fall. “You really think I’d stoop that low?” I whisper, pulling away. “That I’d bring a child into this world just to trap you?”

“You already did.”

For a moment, I swear the air leaves my lungs. My throat burns, but I refuse to let him see me break.

I breathe in a deep breath. “Fine. If that’s what you want to believe.”

Right now, all I want is to be with my daughter.

I turn to leave, but before I can take a step, his hand clamps around my arm and yanks me back.

“What more do you want?” A single tear slips down my cheek before I can stop it.

He doesn’t even flinch. “Prepare a room for Hannah and Danny. And make sure a maid tends to them. I don’t want excuses.”

I blink at him, unsure if I heard right. “You… really want them to stay here?”

His eyes cut to me, sharp and flat. “You need me to repeat myself?”

My lips part, but no words come out. Of course—Hannah. Her. He’s doing this for her. Always for her.

“Right,” I whisper, forcing the word past the knot in my throat. “I’ll make the arrangements.”

He releases my arm with a flick of his hand. “Do it quickly. I don’t want them waiting.”

Then, without another word, he strides right up the stairs.

Once he’s out of sight, Hannah chuckles. “Is this how Damon always treats you? Like some pathetic maid?”

The mockery in her voice doesn’t go unnoticed. I turn to face her. “He does. And I wonder if this is the reason you ran away from your marriage—couldn’t stand the thought of spending forever as his personal maid.”

“You—” She looks angry.

“You’re my sister, Hannah. I know you better than anyone. So, please, drop the act in front of me at least.”

I walk back to the living room, ready to arrange the guest room as per Damon’s order.

“Cake!” Danny practically screams, however.

I watch him rushing to the table, his hands already flying to grab the whole thing.

I try my best to stop him, but the boy is too quick.

He grabs the whole cake from the table and hurls it straight to the floor.

For a moment, I just stare—frozen—my mind unable to process what just happened.

Then, he laughs. Laughs.

Hannah smirks from the doorway, arms crossed. “Well, looks like someone doesn’t like your cheap taste in desserts.”

I blink, trying to steady my breath. “Stop it! It was Cora’s birthday cake.” I baked it myself.

“Then buy her another one,” she laughs. “You must be used to cleaning up disappointments by now.”

Her words slice through me sharper than glass. I crouch down to pick up the ruined pieces of the cake, but my hands are trembling too much. The chocolate smears against my fingers, sticky and cold—just like the humiliation sitting in my chest.

Danny giggles again, stepping right into the mess, crushing the frosting under his shoes. “Mommy, look! It’s fun!”

“Danny, stop—” I start, but Hannah pushes me aside.

“Let him enjoy himself,” she says coolly. “He’s just a child. Don’t be so uptight.”

I want to shout in anger, to make Damon speak up for me—but then I realize he’s not here, and maybe that’s for the best. I’ve stopped expecting him to take my side.

So I say nothing. I look at the scene before me, feel the weight of it settle in my chest, and realize I’m done.

I’ve already made up my mind. I’ll take my daughter and leave. This house, this life—it can belong to them now.

I leave the room to spend some time with my daughter. While I’m reading stories for Cora, a call comes in.

I glance at the time, wondering who would call this late.

When no one comes to mind, I answer.

“Mrs. Blackwood, this is Dr. Wilson from ApexCare Hospital,” a man says. “I’m calling about Cora’s recent tests. Is this a good time to talk?”

“Dr. Wilson?” My stomach drops as I remember the tests Cora had after collapsing in class two days ago. “What is it, Doctor? Is everything okay?”

He hesitates. “Mrs. Blackwood… I’m afraid Cora isn’t okay. Can we meet tomorrow morning?”