chapter 6

Anora's POV

I woke to the gentle tapping of a tiny hand on my shoulder.

“Mommy, wake up.”

My eyes fluttered open, heavy with sleep. A yawn slipped out of me, long and unladylike. Morning light leaked through the curtains, painting the wooden floor in a pale glow, spilling over Sara’s toys scattered across the room like forgotten treasures.

Beside me sat Sara, my little sunshine. A wide smile stretched across her face, her big hazel eyes sparkling as if even they were smiling too. She clutched her bunny tight against her chest with one arm, while the other stayed on my shoulder, as if to keep me anchored to her.

I smiled back, my voice still soft with sleep. “How was your night, sweetie?”

“It was fine. And yours?” she replied carefully, just the way I’d taught her.

“Beautiful,” I said proudly, brushing a curl from her forehead. “Just like you are.”

“Mommy…” Her voice dropped to a whisper, her gaze searching mine like something heavy weighed on her. “Can I ask you a question?”

I sat up straighter and scooped her into my lap. Her tiny legs curled against me, her bunny squished between us. She bit her lower lip, that nervous habit she had whenever she was trying to be brave.

“Why isn’t Daddy back yet?”

The question sliced through me, sharper than I was prepared for.

Six years ago, I had chosen this path—raising her on my own. And though I never regretted it, I always knew this moment would come. From the time she was small, I spun a story to protect her: Daddy was away, working somewhere far off. I even gave her his necklace, saying he had left it just for her.

I smoothed my hand over her curls. “Sweetheart…”

“I’ve never seen my daddy,” she said before I could go on, her tiny voice steady but soft. “Zoey’s dad makes her pancakes. Jack’s daddy drops her at school. Why don’t I have one? Did…did he not want me?”

The words hit me like a bullet to the chest. How could I explain a truth too heavy for her little shoulders? That her father didn't even know she existed?

I pulled her into my arms, holding her as though my arms could shield her from that truth. “No, Sara. Don’t ever think that. Daddy wants you.”

“Then why isn’t he here?” she whispered, her face buried in my chest.

I kissed the top of her head, forcing steadiness into my voice. “Daddy will come back for his little girl. He just has to…arrange a few things first. But until then, you’ve always got Mommy.”

Her head lifted, hope glowing in her eyes. “I can’t wait to see Daddy. And when I do, I’ll give him a big hug. Like this.” She wrapped her arms tight around me, squeezing with all the strength in her little body.

I smiled, though my lips trembled. If only she could see the cracks behind my smile.

“Come on,” I said, nudging her gently, desperate to shift her thoughts. “Let’s get you ready for school.”

Just like that, her mood lifted, her little spirit bouncing back like sunlight breaking clouds. She hopped off the bed, clutching Mr. Bunny in her arms. “Mr. Bunny is as brave as I am, right Mommy?”

“Yes, sweetheart,” I said, my voice soft. We headed toward the kitchen, side by side.

After our bath and breakfast, I drove her to school before heading off to work.

Four years after Sara was born, I realized I needed more than my bakery job. The pay was barely enough, and every job my certificate could land me required “two years’ experience” I didn’t have, especially with a child still at my breast. Employers took one look at me and doubted I could cope. Then I stumbled on an advert for a cleaning job at R and C Innovation, one of the biggest tech companies in the country. The pay was unusually good. I applied and got in. I enrolled Sara in preschool, and I told myself it didn’t matter what I did, so long as it gave her the life she deserved.

As for men, I kept them at a safe distance. A few tried, sure, but I wouldn’t let anyone step carelessly into my world, or hers.

But today, even work couldn’t drown Sara’s question. Her voice still echoed in my head as I scrubbed and polished, the lie I’d built for her pressing heavier than the truth I couldn’t give.

Then, a familiar voice pulled me back.

“Anora.”

I glanced up. Vanessa was striding toward me, her auburn curls bouncing with every step, her uniform already smudged from the morning rush. She was smiling, as always. Vanessa had been there since day one, and in her, I found the rare thing I thought I’d lost: a friend. We even lived in the same neighborhood. She covered for me on night shifts, sometimes picked up Sara when I couldn’t. She was the only one who knew my past. The only one I trusted with it.

“You okay?” she asked, her brow lifting when she caught my expression. “You look way too serious.”

A laugh slipped out of me, small and fleeting. “Just worried,” I admitted.

“Worried?” she echoed. “About what?”

I leaned against the stairway rail, exhaling. “It’s Sara. She’s been…asking about her father.”

Vanessa’s chuckle was warm, almost unsurprised. “Oh, honey,” she said, shaking her head gently. “That was bound to happen. If not now, then soon.”

“I know.” I sighed, leaning on the mop. “I just didn’t expect it to hurt this much. She deserves answers, but how do I give them without spilling everything?”

Vanessa laid a hand on my shoulder. “You’ve done an amazing job raising that little girl. Don’t beat yourself up.” Then, with a teasing half-smile, she added, “Maybe tonight I’ll come over. Keep you both company.”

I hesitated. Letting people into our little world wasn’t easy. But Sara adored Vanessa, and maybe a distraction was exactly what we needed.

“Alright,” I said at last. “Dinner it is.”

“See ya then,” she grinned before heading upstairs to finish her rounds.

Later, after picking Sara up from school, I set to work in the kitchen with Vanessa. She came armed with a bottle of wine, rolling up her sleeves like she owned the place. Soon the whole apartment was filled with the smell of garlic and roasted chicken. Sara hummed happily as she set the table with mismatched plates, propping her teddy bear on one of the chairs like he was our special guest.

When we finally sat down, Vanessa inhaled dramatically. “This food smells amazing.”

Sara giggled. “That’s because you and Mommy made it smell yummy.”

We all laughed, the table full of warmth and clinking cutlery. Vanessa told stories from her childhood, making Sara giggle so hard she nearly spilled her juice. For the first time all day, the heaviness in my chest started to lift.

Then, just as Sara scooped another spoonful of mashed potatoes, she looked up and said.

“Mommy, I met Daddy today.”

I froze. My fork slipped from my hand and clattered against the plate. Vanessa’s eyes shot to mine, wide and alarmed.

I forced my voice to stay steady. “Sweetheart… what did you just say?”

Sara blinked innocently, her smile sweet and sure. “At school. He was outside. He looked right at me and even said my name.” She glowed as though she had just uncovered a secret treasure.

My heart slammed against my ribs. I had gone so far, changed so much, to make sure he never knew. So how? How had he found her?

“And then,” Sara added, her voice bubbling with excitement, “he said he’ll come back.” She grinned, completely unaware that with those words, my entire world tilted on its axis.