Chapter 10

SARA'S POV

“Do I have to order a microphone? I just asked a question, Sara.” Derek came closer to me and muttered, his eyes glaring daggers at me, his gaze sickening, Infuriating even.

“Daddy, I asked mom to stay back and make breakfast tomorrow morning for me.” Danielle explained even before I could say a word. I took in a long breath, then exhaled. 

“And I just said I had work to do, c'mon Danielle. Your nanny is here to tend to your needs.” I took in a deep breath and for a fleeting moment, there was silence.

Danielle stared at Derek, as if communicating with him to ask me to stay back. Derek however, looked conflicted within himself. 

After what felt like eternity, Derek broke the silence with a light clearing of the throat, then turned to me. 

“If your daughter asked you to stay and make breakfast for her tomorrow morning, then I think you should. I mean, that's the joy of mothers, don't you think?” he narrowed his gaze at me and I arched my brows.

Strange! Everything was strange. Starting with Danielle demanding food made by me and Derek concurring to that without an objection. 

That's weird. 

I didn't say a word though, I only stared at Derek for a friction and he sighed, then forced a smile. 

“Work can wait. Attend to our daughter first.” he muttered, rolling his eyes to the side.

“Yes!!!! I love you daddy.” Danielle squealed from the bed and Derek smiled. He leaned in, then placed a kiss on her forehead and cheeks before muttering a goodnight to her, then without another word to me, he left. 

“You're staying, right?” Danielle's question rang out, cutting through my thoughts and I turned to her with a light smile. 

Derek didn't seem to have a problem with me staying, so....

“Well... Yeah.” 

I muttered and Danielle squealed happily, blowing kisses at me. 

That was however, another strange act from her but I didn't dwell over it, probably, her own way of appreciation.

“You're sleeping with me, mommy.... Right?” She asked again and I almost facepalmed myself, but I stopped right on time then nodded. 

“Bedtime stories?” She narrowed her gaze once more. 

“Danielle! C'mon please.” I sighed and she pouted, then took my hands once more.

“I missed your stories mom. Am I asking for too much, huh? Please —”

“Fine!! Fine, Danielle.” I cut her off, stroking her hair. 

I left her room after that to grab a few things from the bedroom. Duvets and pillows were among them. On getting to the room, my mouth parted open in shock.

Everything.... Everything was just as I had left them. I thought Derek would have my things moved, but everything looked just the same.

My sharp gaze swept around the room, studying everything. My jacket which I hung on the wall was still there, untouched. I strode deeper, my eyes scanning every corner. 

On the bedstand, was a book I was reading, it was still at the position I left it. My closet was filled with my dress, not even one was missing and my rakes of shoes bustled with them.

What stopped Derek from moving them? This was strange to me and I was even more in for more weirder stuff.

I grabbed the things I'd come here for, then with another glance around the room, I left.

Derek must have been busy with work and meetings, I mean he always has—reasons why he hasn't moved any of my belongings. I knew he was going to do that as soon as he got the chance to.

I had gotten to Danielle's room by now and she was still awake, chatting away with her tablet. I shook my head and headed to the bathroom to wash up. 

“Your birthday is coming up soon and I'm so excited about it. Gosh, I really can't wait for that day, Alyssa.” As the water rushed over my head, I heard Danielle say from the room and my brows knotted.

She was still chatting with Alyssa?

I don't know what Alyssa replied to her with, but Danielle's laughter filled the walls of the room. It died down a bit though, then her voice came.

“Gifts? Dad will prepare his, but mine will be special, memorable.” She said through laughter. 

I had expected to feel hurt, but strangely I didn't. Danielle never offered a happy birthday wish for me all through the years I've celebrated my birthday since she was born. I didn't think about it, never found it something alarming since I considered her a child who always forgot. I thought her little mind couldn't remember, but hearing her planning a big surprise for Alyssa on her birthday was overwhelming. It made me understand something, Danielle didn't forget, she simply didn't care.

I grabbed the towel, wiping my wet body when I heard another sentence from Danielle. 

“No.... I only asked her to come over to cook for me. That doesn't mean she's now my favorite person. You're still and will forever be.” my grip on the towel lessened as I hung it back on the hanger.

Danielle was still a kid, but hearing her say those words made me wonder if she was a kid indeed, or probably an adult who was trapped in a child's body. 

Scolding her would be pointless anyway as that will only portray me as the bad mother. Whatever she does with Alyssa wasn't my business. 

I came out of the bathroom, my jaw dropped when I saw Danielle's tablet still with her, however, there was a frown etched up on her face. 

She looked so upset. 

I sat beside her on the bed. “Don't stay up late staring at the screen. You know, it can increase the dryness of your eyes.” I said, then laid on the bed. 

Danielle turned to me, her face pale in anger. “You always look for ways to scold me. I wasn't even staring at the screen.” She scoffed and I shut my eyes, completely ignoring her. 

Well, she did stare at the screen and I wasn't blind.

“So annoying.” She threw her weight on the bed too, not without huffing loud.

I knew exactly what she did here, it was her own way of letting me know Alyssa was and is still favourite person.

I pulled the drape over myself, letting myself doze off. 

The next morning, Danielle hadn't woken up and I had already made breakfast for her. I called her after I was done and I noticed she was still upset.

The breakfast was before her, but barely untouched as she stared at her tablet. 

“The food will turn cold, Danielle.” I complained and she looked up to me, she didn't say a word. She just bit the corner of her lips and almost immediately, her phone dinged.

I watched her face lit up as soon as she was done reading the message. She picked her fork and to my greatest surprise, began eating. 

The rest of the day dragged on and finally when I got to the office, it was my manager that first walked up to me.

He smiled briefly at me. “Your replacement would be arriving today.” he informed me.