Chapter 1

Nora's POV

Tears pooled in my eyes, blurring my vision.

Clara crept into my lap like a scared kitten. "Don't be sad, Mommy. I'll be good. I won't make Dad angry."

I pulled her tight against my chest. My heart burned with a deep, throbbing ache.

"This isn't your fault, baby..."

The front door clicked open before I could finish. Donald Williams stepped into the house.

He tossed his briefcase onto the floor.

Kicking off his leather shoes, he left one sideways and the other one upside down near the mat.

"Daddy!" Clara called out, her voice bright with hope.

Donald barely gave a grunt in response. He sat at the dining table and dug right into his food.

Clara's eyes lit up when his fork reached the hash browns.

A second later, Donald spat the food into the trash can, his forehead creased in disgust.

"Nora," he snapped, glaring at me. "You sit home all day doing nothing. Can't you even cook a decent meal?"

My face went rigid.

My heart sank into my stomach.

He didn't notice my red, tear-stained eyes.

He didn't see the birthday cake on the table. His very first words were harsh, cold critiques.

He had completely forgotten the past.

Years ago, he had begged on his knees for me to quit my high-paying job as a prime-time news reporter.

He cried back then, swearing he would work hard to provide for me.

I gave in to his tears. This was my reward.

I saw the light fade from Clara's eyes. I forced a faint smile to protect her.

"I didn't make those," I said quietly. "Clara knew you loved crispy potatoes, so she asked me to teach her how to cook them."

I pushed the plate closer to him, giving him a clear cue to fix his mistake.

"I think they taste great. Try another bite."

Donald shoved the dish away, his face twisted in annoyance.

"She wanted to learn, so you let her? It tastes like garbage. You're just wasting grocery money.

"I don't print money in the backyard," he added coldly. "If you keep wasting it, I won't give you another dime."

My nails dug into my palms until they trembled.

Clara's face turned bright red. She picked at her fingers, whispering, "I'm sorry..."

She couldn't understand it.

Just yesterday, Valerie and her daughter Lily came over.

Lily almost burned our kitchen down.

But Donald Williams didn't say a single harsh word.

Instead, he ate the charred, blackened eggs with a grin.

"You did amazing, Lily," he laughed and tossed her into the air. "Uncle Donald is taking you out for gelato ice cream!"

"Yay! I love Uncle Donald. You are the best!" Lily cheered.