"I should welcome you with a hug and serve your dinner when you are not coming back from work?" Jennifer said, and Albert turned to her. "Is she aware of where I went to?"
"Where else do you think I'm coming from apart from work? We had an emergency, and I had no choice but to stay over to make sure it's resolved." "Stop lying, Albert. I know where you are coming from. You are not coming back from work." Jennifer said, and Albert narrowed his eyes, feigning confusion. “What are you talking about?” “Stop acting as if you are innocent. Whose birthday did you go and celebrate?” Albert frowned. “Birthday?” He shook his head. “Jennifer, what nonsense are you talking about? The only person I knew that had a birthday today was Emily.” “You are still lying, Albert. Your daughter got tired of waiting for you and asked me to call her Daddy. She asked me to call you to know if maybe the traffic was holding you. I called you Albert. I called you, and someone else picked up. And do you know what I heard?” She let out a bitter chuckle and looked up to his eyes. “I heard you. I heard her. Your ex-girlfriend. Singing happy birthday to her son.” "What? That's a lie. You didn't call me. Stop accusing me of what I didn't do. I didn't celebrate any birthday with anyone." "Stop denying. I have the evidence." "Which nonsense evidence?" "That same person that picked up the call and left it for me to listen to your frog voice sent me a video. A video of you, standing there, smiling, handing that boy two expensive children’s cars. You are celebrating him as if he mattered more than your own daughter, who was here waiting for you to come back." Albert had been trying so hard to hide his affairs with Stella from Jennifer, but Stella kept trying as much as she could to let Jennifer know. She believed that letting Jennifer know would lead to divorce, making it easy for her to come back into Albert's life. Now, since Jennifer was aware, he had to find a way to defend himself. "She was disturbing me. So I had to settle her. Not that I wanted to go." Albert said in defense. "Besides, did I stop you from celebrating Emily?” “Is that really all you have to say?” she asked. “Did it stop me?” Albert shrugged and replied, “What do you want me to say? Besides, the boy you are talking about is not just her son but my son as well. I'm his father. Is it wrong for a father to celebrate her son's birthday?" "Stella is your ex-girlfriend, and I'm your wedded wife. You can't compare the dirty relationship you had with her with me. Emily is your regal child, while her son is not. You don't have full rights over him. How sure are you that you are even his father?" She asked, and Albert got provoked. "She showed me the DNA test result. Besides, she was pregnant before she left. So Ethan is my son. And... he is more valuable than Emily. He’s more important to me than her.” Silence. Jennifer felt herself sway. She felt the weight of his words crash down on her, suffocating her. She blinked, once, twice, trying to process what she had just heard. “How?” She finally managed to ask. “How could you prefer a child that belongs to a woman who left you when you were poor? A woman who abandoned you, who walked away when you had nothing?” Albert sighed. “I have forgiven her, Jennifer. I let go of the past. I’m happy I have a son. You should be happy for me." Jennifer stared at him, studying his face, searching for something—anything—that resembled the man she once knew. It was as if he had been gone for a long time. She swallowed hard, trying to hold back the tears. “And what about Emily?” she asked. Her voice was barely above a whisper. “What about your daughter? The one who looks at you with hope in her eyes every single day? The one who never stopped loving you, despite everything?” Albert didn’t answer. Jennifer shook her head and looked up at Albert. “Emily deserves better than this. She deserves better than any other child you think you have.” “You must be joking for saying that. How does she deserve better when she is a problem to this family? Not just a small problem, but a very big one.” Jennifer’s brows furrowed in confusion. How could Albert be saying that their daughter is a problem to them? Every parent sees their children as a blessing, and he was saying that theirs was a problem. “What are you talking about?” she asked, shaking her head as if she had misheard him. “How is Emily a problem to us?” “Stop pretending like you don’t know what I'm saying, Jennifer. Stop acting as if you don’t see it. Emily is a pain in the neck. She is a burden. Since the day she was born, it has been nothing but hospitals, medications, and sleepless nights. Do you know how much money I have spent treating her? Do you know how exhausting it is to live every single day knowing you are nurturing a cursed child?” His words hit Jennifer directly in her chest like a sharp, piercing object. She couldn't believe he was saying that about their daughter. She stared at him, searching his face for something—some sign that he didn’t truly mean what he was saying. But he was serious. He had meant every word he said.“You are lying to me, Mommy,” Emily said. “Don't worry. I will speak to him later. Right now, you should finish your meal.” Emily sobbed. “I don't want to eat again. I'm full now.” Jennifer knew it was all because of the incident that just happened. Why would Albert return at that moment? Not long ago, Emily was happy and full of life. The switch from happiness to sadness happened within a split second. When Emily couldn't get her to finish her meal, she took her to her room and cuddled her till she was asleep. Then, she slowly covered her and left the room. Albert had taken his bath and was already getting ready to sleep when Jennifer opened the door and walked in. He stole a glance at her and ignored her presence. He slid right under the bedspread and turned off the light from his bedside switch. Jennifer walked straight to him and turned the light back on. “What is the meaning of this?” He queried her. “Albert, we need to talk,” she said, her voice serious and unyielding.
Later that day, when it was nighttime, Jennifer was making dinner for her daughter, Emily. But the words of Stella kept on echoing in her head. She didn't want to believe it. However, there was no way to keep her curiosity down. “Hmmm,” she exhaled heavily and tiredly. “Focus, Jennifer. Focus.” She didn't know when Emily walked up to the entrance of the kitchen and stood there, watching her murmuring to herself. Emily didn't need any prophet to tell her that her mom was worried over something.“Mom, is everything okay?” The little angel asked, concern written all over her face. Jennifer was drawn out of her thoughts. She turned to Emily and smiled in a gorgeous manner as if all was well. “My angel, all is well. Why do you ask?""You were talking to yourself, and ... you don't look happy. Did something steal your pastries?""There's no problem. You should be in the living room,” she said, swiftly trying to divert the topic immediately. “I am hungry, Mummy,” Emily said innocently w
Jennifer's entire body tensed at her statement, and her lips trembled with rage. "Emily is not a cursed child," she snapped. "She’s a blessing." "A blessing?" She tilted her head mockingly. "A child that’s draining her father's' finances is a blessing? A child who keeps her family buried in hospital bills?" Jennifer clenched her jaw. "I’m not complaining." "But Albert is," Stella countered smoothly. "And he’s tired. Tired of the endless cycle of sickness, of waiting for a child who might never survive to adulthood. And let me tell you, sooner or later, he’ll give up completely. Then come for me and Ethan, after kicking both of you out." "Is that what you are thinking?" Jennifer asked. "It's not what I'm thinking, Jennifer, but what is going to happen. I don’t even know why he’s delaying." "He is not delaying, Stella. He doesn't just want you. Without Ethan in your life, he won't even come close to you." Jennifer stated. "I don't believe so." Stella replied. "Albert wants
That same day, Stella pulled up outside Jennifer’s small pastry shop. The sleek black car was shining under the afternoon sun. The car was bought by Albert, but Jennifer was not aware.She stepped out with calculated grace, adjusting her expensive handbag on her arm before glancing at the poor pastry shop with a smirk.She looked around briefly, taking in the neatly arranged pastries displayed behind the glass counter. The warm scent of freshly baked goods was lingering in the air. Then, with a scoff, she muttered under her breath, "So this is where she spends her miserable days."With a confident stride, Stella got closer to the shop. Jennifer was behind the counter, arranging a fresh batch of bread rolls, when she noticed Stella stepping in. The sight of her immediately set Jennifer’s nerves on edge. She knew she wasn't coming for good, that she came to cause trouble, but she forced herself to remain calm, ready to face her.Stella glanced around with an unimpressed expression. "Oh
"But I'm telling you the truth. My mom is late." She said amidst sobs. "I needed money. That's why I'm selling it." "Listen, I will buy it for two thousand dollars—nothing more. And that’s just because I’m being generous." Jennifer pressed her lips together, her pulse racing. "This bracelet is worth far more than two thousand dollars," she argued. "This is not fair." "I'm not forcing you. If you can’t sell it for two thousand dollars, you are free to go." He said, waving toward the door. "I don’t have time to debate this." Jennifer sat still for a moment while her mind raced with thoughts. She was being cheated. She wished there were other stores that buys used jewelry accessories. Her mind flashed to Emily's hopeful smile when she promised her she would be going back to school. Jennifer could still hear the words in her head. "Don’t be scared. I will find a way. You are going back to school tomorrow." At this moment, she has no choice. She had given Emily hope. She has
"Excuse me? How can you say that?" "Look at yourself. Someone like you can't afford an original bracelet. Either leave now, or I’ll call the police. You are trying to sell fake jewelry here, and I won’t tolerate it." Jennifer looked at herself. Her clothes were okay. Just that she doesn't look rich. Nobody will believe her by judging based on her look. The shop is for rich, important people. "Please," she said, trying to control her emotions. "I need money for my daughter’s school fees and medicine." Jennifer said, and the girl rolled her eyes. "Save your sob story. I won’t pity you. Now leave before I push you out myself." The girl said, and just then, the shop owner entered the store. He was an older man, dressed in an elegant suit that immediately set him apart from the workers. He paused when he saw the girl shouting at Jennifer. Telling her to leave. "What’s going on here?" he asked. His voice was calm