Chapter 3

Hugh's POV

I knew Elsa hadn't forgotten me. She knew her way around the house just fine. She had simply chosen Gordon over me. The sweet little girl who had once been so close to me was no longer mine.

Felicia thought I was angry and tried to smooth things over. "She's still young and doesn't know any better. If she wants to be with Gordon, just let her go. Don't take it to heart."

I nodded. "I understand."

I didn't want to blame Elsa. I had no strength or confidence left to keep fighting for her, so I would give her whatever she wanted.

Felicia's phone lit up, and she softened the moment she read the message. I knew right away it was from Gordon.

I checked myself out of the hospital alone. I had surgery for the bleeding in my stomach, and my hand was still wrapped in bandages from the burns.

When I got home, I looked around at what used to be such a warm, happy place.

For five years, I had cleaned Elsa's room every single day, keeping it exactly as she'd left it. The only thing that kept me going was waiting for her to come home. I had truly believed that she'd been abducted and that she was out there suffering.

I'd never imagined that she had chosen to leave me. She hadn't forgotten me. She simply didn't want me. The bond I'd held on to for so long meant nothing to her. She had discarded me so easily.

I hired a crew to tear down Elsa's room, along with the last of the illusions I'd been holding on to. Then, I went online and gave away every toy and gift I'd ever bought her to other mothers who needed them.

Felicia walked in right as one of the mothers was leaving. She frowned when she saw the empty room. "Are you still mad?"

I shook my head. "I just realized there's no point in keeping them. Other people might need them more."

I was completely calm, but Felicia still found fault with me. "Elsa loved those toys. Why would you give them away? I already promised I'd bring her back. We could find a balance and keep things stable between the three of us."

I almost laughed. That kind of stability would only be possible if I gave in.

Felicia was about to argue further when her phone rang. Gordon sounded delighted on the other end, and I could faintly hear Elsa's happy voice in the background. They were a happy family now.

I couldn't help but clench my fists.

When the call finally ended, Felicia looked somewhat apologetic, but I spoke before she could, "Go ahead. You don't need to worry about me."

However, today was our wedding anniversary.

Felicia used to drop everything to spend it with me. Perhaps out of guilt, she always treated our anniversary like a huge deal, throwing massive celebrations and pulling out all the stops just to make me happy.

Now that things had fallen apart between us, she didn't even bother keeping up appearances. Anyway, it didn't matter anymore.

I tore the marked date from the calendar and silently wished them well, the happy family I'd never be part of.

I was about to leave when the door suddenly flew open. Felicia suddenly stormed back in, blazing with anger. "Why did you do that?"

I stared at her, completely lost.

She let out a bitter laugh. "I had no idea you were this calculating. Are you really going to keep pushing Gordon until he kills himself? I've already told you. Elsa chose to leave."

Before I could even process what she was saying, Elsa rushed at me and sank her teeth into my arm. She didn't let go until she drew blood.

I stood frozen. My arm throbbed, but I barely felt it.

Elsa snarled at me, "Why did you do that to Dad? I chose to be his daughter! He was in so much pain. Why couldn't you see that? Why did you have to push him over the edge?"

Felicia shoved her phone in front of me. Someone had pretended to be me and posted online, accusing her and Gordon of stealing my child and vowing to make them pay for it.

The post had sparked a wave of backlash against them, with Gordon taking the brunt of it.

"Are you happy now? You told everyone that Gordon faked his illness to take Elsa. When are you going to understand that Elsa is her own person? She has the right to choose!"

Every word cut into me like a knife.

I straightened up, locking eyes with her. "I didn't post that. If you don't believe me, call the police."