EIGHT

KEONA

A lot of hurtful things have happened to me these past few days, but none compares to the look of defiance on my daughter’s face as she proudly declares her love for Sophia.

No one corrects her. 

No one says a word. 

Hardin is still holding Sophia like she’s the one who needs comforting, while I stand here all alone, trying not to fall apart as my own daughter chooses another woman over me. 

I could swear I catch the faintest hint of a smug smile on Sophia’s lips before her expression melts into one of pity.

I stand there, shaking with hurt and humiliation as Sophia takes Cora’s hand.

“Don’t say things like that, Cora,” she whispers, gently brushing a few stray strands of hair from Cora’s forehead. “Your mommy loves you very, very much. You’ve hurt her feelings, and I think you need to apologize.”

Kaliyah lets out a short laugh.

“Oh, Sophia, you’re way too kind.” 

She shoots me a hard stare. “Cora merely expressed her opinion, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. There’s no need for her to apologize.”

“I agree with grandma,” Cora chimes in eagerly, cupping Sophia’s cheeks with a tenderness that stabs straight through my heart. “Mommy was mean to you. Why are you being so nice to her? It’s not good to be mean to people.”

Tears sting my eyes, blurring my vision, and this time, I make no attempt to blink them away. 

I don’t care that I look weak. I don’t care that they get to see me cry.

Let them watch. 

God knows I’m tired of always being the strong one.

My gaze lifts to Hardin’s and I find him watching me. Sophia is back at his side, but he’s no longer holding her.

Instead, his entire attention is on me, those icy orbs following the tears as they trail down my cheeks.

“Cora, Apologize to your mother.” Hardin’s command drops into the room like a bomb, leaving  everyone stunned into silence. 

Kaliyah turns to him, her lips tightening with clear disapproval; “But Hardin, she’s done nothing wr—”

“I think I’m capable of handling my family, mother,” Hardin cuts in, giving her a hard stare. “Cora is my daughter, and she will do as I say.”

“But daddy…” Cora whimpers, her chin wobbling. “Mommy was rude to Ms. Sophie first.”

“It doesn’t matter.” 

I’ve never heard Hardin speak to his daughter in this tone before. Cora is a daddy’s girl through and through. He’s always gentle with her, but this time, there’s no trace of warmth in his voice.

“Apologize. Right now.”

One glance at Cora tells me everything I need to know. My daughter would rather chew nails than apologize to me. 

Children may be naive, but they rarely say things they don’t mean.

Cora said she wants Sophia to be her new mommy, and I’m certain she meant every single word. 

My daughter doesn’t want me here. 

No one wants me here.

Maybe I should just do us all a favour and leave.

The decision settles in my mind, and I take a step back just as Cora opens her mouth to speak.

I lift my head, forcing myself to meet her eyes. “There’s no need.”

For a moment, no one says a word. 

Then Hardin’s low voice cuts through the silence; “excuse me?”

I hold his gaze and lift my chin. I may be hurting, but I still have my pride. 

“Cora doesn’t have to apologize to me.”

Something strange flickers across his eyes, but I refuse to dwell on it.

Instead, I walk over to Cora and press a soft kiss to her hair.

“Are you still trying to take her?” Kaliyah bites out. “She’s sick, Keona. As a matter of fact, I think it would be a good idea if she spent the night here.”

I swallow the painful lump in my throat and straighten, forcing a smile.

“Who said I was taking her?”

Kaliyah looks taken aback. “W-well, aren’t you?”

My smile grows by a fraction. “No, I’m not.”

I ruffle Cora’s hair, trying my best  to ignore the confusion in her eyes.

“Be good for Ms. Sophie, okay? I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Cora furrows her brows, “Are you really letting me stay?”

I force my voice to remain steady. “Yes, baby. Isn’t this what you wanted?”

To my surprise, she suddenly clings to me; “but you never let me sleep outside the house, Mommy. Did I do something wrong? Are you abandoning me?”

I step back, gently prying her fingers from my skirt; “I’m not sure why you would think that, sweetheart. I’m simply giving you what you asked for.”

Taking a deep breath, I make my way to Hardin and press a kiss to his cheek.

“Good bye, babe. I’ll see you and Cora tomorrow.”

Hardin doesn’t look the least bit impressed. If anything, his eyes darken to a dangerous shade of cobalt.

I try to move away but strong fingers suddenly clamp around my arm.

 I look up and meet Hardin’s intense stare. 

“What the hell are you doing, Keona…?”