He’s back.

PRESENT DAY.

Amira’s birthday party.

I stood at the far end of the hall, glancing at Tom. Lisa stood beside him.

She threw her head back, running her palm over his arm, laughing at something Tom's business associate said.

My fingers tightened around the glass of wine in my hand.

The nerve of him to invite his mistress over for our child's sixth birthday party.

“Mum, my friends said they love my party.”

I turned around. My heart melted at the sight of Amira wearing a cute tiara and the cutest pink dress, all flushed from excitement.

I crouched and kissed her forehead. “I love you too, my cutie pootidu.”

“Muah,” she mouthed.

I took her hand and walked towards Sophie's direction.

She was seated at the table talking to Amira’s hot pianist. Smiling like a damn Cheshire cat.

“Could you help me watch Amira for a second, please?” I asked. “I need to use the restroom.”

She opened her arms, a wide smile on her lips. “Come here, birthday princess.”

Amira released my grip and jumped on Sophie's lap.

I smiled. “What would I do without you, Sophie?”

She giggled. “Absolutely nothing, Selene.”

I made my way to the guest restroom.

I really wasn't pressed, but staying in the same room as Tom and his mistress made my stomach churn.

I needed a breather.

I placed my hand underneath the tap as the water ran out, then dabbed at my face with a little water.

The restroom door creaked. I felt the hairs on my neck prickle. Someone walked in.

Lisa.

Her red dress hugged her in the tightest way possible.

She leaned forward, filling the doorway with her presence.

My chest tightened.

“You look rather stressed, Selene.”

I glared at her.

She shut the door behind her and walked towards me. Her heels clicked as she came closer.

“I love Amira honestly; she's such a happy soul.”

I swallowed. “You have no right to talk about my daughter.”

She chuckled. “It's a pity though; you can't even give Tom another child, talk more of a son.”

I froze, my knees threatening to give way. My fingers dug into the edge of the sink.

“Why are you here, Lisa?”

She smiled, exposing a set of white teeth. “Well, to give Tom what you couldn't after all these years. Isn't it obvious?”

I jolted, turning to face her. She stood a few inches taller than me.

“You think you can replace me, Lisa? You think you can just show up and become a part of Tom’s life just like that? He loves us and…”

“Oh please, Selene,” she spat, “I have perceived you as so many things, but not delusional. It's obvious Tom never loved you.”

She walked around me and turned on the tap behind me, sending shivers down my spine.

“I am the one he's ever truly loved. Don't you see? All I have to do is make one call. And the life as you know it goes poof.”

She snapped her fingers, “and he comes crawling back into my arms.”

My lips quivered. “I won't let you destroy my family.”

“You look like you might cry, Selene. I should leave; we don't want to cause a scene.” She walked towards the door.

“Oops, I almost forgot,” she said, stopping in her tracks. “I wanted to show you this cute picture of Tom and me from last week”

My breath caught—last week, when he told me he was on a business trip and ignored my calls…

My feet stayed glued to the floor. I couldn't move.

“Look!” She hovered her phone over my face.

She wore a red dress; they stood at a rooftop, his hand placed at her lower back. Smiling back at her in a way he had never smiled at me before.

It felt like I might faint. I gasped for air.

“You see? He chose me over you.”

“Get out!” I managed to say.

Her phone rang, Tom's name sprawled on the screen.

She gasped mockingly, “You see? He's calling. He misses me.”

“Get out! Now!”

She grinned. “Bye, Selene.”

She catwalked out and shut the door behind her.

I collapsed on the floor.The room spun around me, the walls seemed to close in from every corner, my heart hammered so loud I could hear it over the music outside.

My tears blurred the room. I felt like someone had ripped a piece of my heart and tossed it into the air.

I whispered to the empty room, “How did it come to this?”

You need to get yourself together, Selene.

Today is Amira's day. That vile woman cannot ruin it.

My hands shook as I tried to push myself up. I washed my face with the running water and stared at my reflection in the mirror.

This wasn't the young, vibrant Selene who wanted to take on the world and be the best-selling author. She had changed. A shadow of her dreams.

I put on a smile, squared my shoulders, and wiped at my face.

At the door, I placed my hand on the doorknob and exhaled before pushing it open.

The hot air and loud music washed over my face, causing me to gasp for air.

I made my way back to the party. My heart hammered in my chest.

At the table, I poured myself a glass of wine. My eyes scanned to room flashing a fake smile where necessary.

“You haven’t changed one bit, Selene.” a voice said from behind.

My spine stiffened.

That voice.

It sounded too familiar. Like the name that called out to me when we were just kids.

The voice that had mentioned he loved me time and time again.

I spun around.

He stood a few inches from me; a dimpled smile played across his lips.

My mouth dropped.

“Rowland?”

“Hello, Selene.”