LOGINNeria Since Dominic wouldn't believe me until he saw the death certificate, I was going to send it to him, although I doubted he would believe me. Maybe, after seeing it, he would say it was fake and fabricated. Honestly, it was just tiring, dealing with such a person. The topic about Lila's death affected me greatly, and each step that I took was like pure agony. It wasn't until I arrived at the venue that I finally relaxed, exhaling softly as I took my seat. The award ceremony was about to start. The stage was set, and the MC stood not far away, holding a microphone while conversing in hushed tones with who appeared to be the ceremony coordinator. After the earlier confrontation, where Camille revealed that she had already won first place, I had totally lost interest in the competition. As I sat there, in the front raw intself, I was a ball of disappointment. Taking part in the Onyx Group's annual art competition was something that I had looked up to for years.
Neria I couldn't even remember how I left Professor John's office. I only came back to my senses when I knocked myself against a pole in the company's hallway. "The offer still stands," I repeated his earlier words, mindlessly, and before I realised it, tears were streaming down my face. About seven years ago, immediately after college graduation, on top of my class, I was like a shooting star. My potential was undeniable, and so was my talent. Back then, my mentor, Professor John, had offered me a head start in my career, a chance to create a name for myself and possibly become someone. With his connections, and his fame when it came to painting, he was offered a one-slot recommendation, to one of his promising apprentices for a paid residency in Paris. There I would have had a chance to meet, and network with big names in the painting industry, chances to see great paintings in galleries and to witness the breathtaking moment as famous artists painted. It had always be
Neria. "A child can not lie!" Dominic snapped, and for a moment, I froze in place. A child can not lie... I repeated the words, again and again, until they made no sense at all. For a moment I couldn't believe that those words were coming from Dominic's lips. The same Dominic who never believed it when Lila tried to tell the truth back then. The same Dominic who had dismissed her. "A child can not lie? My daughter is also a child. Then why didn't you believe what Lila told you that day at the evening ball?" I asked, tremors of anger evident in my voice. In reaction, he didn't even hesitate. There was no flicker of guilt in his eyes, either. Only cold indifference, as if I was a mere inconvenience, standing in his way. " Lila is not the same as Chloe." He declared, without even flinching. At his words, my blood instantly went cold, and my face darkened. What could be more insulting than that statement? The double standards! In his heart, his first love's daughter was a
Neria. "Don't do it, Neria!" I warned myself, as I made my way from Dominic and Camille, the perfect family of three. Every cell in my body wanted me to give up. Tears burned my eyes, desperate to fall out, and I almost let them. But I couldn't. Breaking down in the middle of the venue, in front of Dominic and his first love, where eyes were watching and cameras likely flashing was not a good idea. After I lost my daughter, I didn't have many desires in life. I wanted to live simply, quietly, do the things that mattered and focus on my art career. I wanted nothing to do with Dominic or anyone connected to my past, and yet, again and again, they kept on showing up in front of me, as if their only existence was to torture me. And Dominic? For the longest time, he had been wanting to get rid of Lila and me. He couldn't wait for me to finally sign the divorce papers. His wish had finally come true. Why did he keep on bothering me, then? He was finally a free man. He could b
Dominic. I already knew that Neria was trying to manipulate me the other day when she said Lila was dead. Dead... The thought unsettled me in ways I couldn't possibly name. I had already lost my father. Lila was healthy and energetic; nothing could happen to her. And yet, something about Neria's reaction unsettled me. The Neria I knew was stubborn. But that day, when I asked her to name her price, she had reacted strangely. She snapped at me, with tears welling up in her eyes, and strangely, my chest constricted painfully as I looked at her. To be sure, I had my assistant look into the hospital, just for reassurance. He already had the report, and although I knew my daughter was fine, an unexplainable sense of unease gnawed at me as I waited for him. I couldn't even focus on work. Every second, my gaze kept moving to the door. "What did you find out?" When the door clicked open, I didn't even wait for him to start talking. I asked quickly, rising to my feet. "I went thro
Neria After my artwork entered the finals, Kael, Nathan and Olivia were over the moon. Compared to me, they were too excited. If I didn't know better, I would have assumed that it was their work in the question. In the house, the mood was celebratory, and no matter how hard I tried to talk them out of it, I couldn't change their minds, so I simply allowed them to do as they pleased. They had bought balloons, champagne, and a cake with congratulations on top. In addition, several dishes were prepared, and as I stared at the set table, I could only massage my forehead helplessly. They were clearly taking it too far. Nathan even brought me flowers. When was the last time anyone bought me flowers? I couldn't even remember. Even when I delivered, Dominic never delivered any. To suddenly receive such a gesture, I didn't know how to react. I guess it felt good to actually have family. People to cheer you up even when you kept to yourself, and people who stood by you, always, ev
Neria. "Dominic. " I called out softly, as if that could fix everything. " Lila..she doesn't have much long left to live." At the words, those cruel words, a sad, lone tear slid down my face. " She needs you, now.." My dignity, my pride, they were all forgotten as I begged. " Is this y
Neria I knew something was off before the doctor said it. Not because of the nonstop beeping of the machines, and certainly, not because of the numerous tests he had carried on her, but because of the way he wouldn’t meet my eyes, and the subtle way his hands trembled as he held the final repo
Neria. He stood from a distance, too guarded, like I would pounce on him if he stood any closer. Stupid of me for harborig hope...for thinking we could be something, a family, even if just for a month. I moved closer, meaning to fasten Lila’s seat belt, and Dominic moved back, a frown etche
Neria. Lila's little fingers tightened around my sleeves, clutching my hand like it might slip away if she didn’t hold on hard enough. “Mommy …” Tears rimmed the edges of her eyes as she called, “Is Daddy leaving, again?” Again..that was the highlight, and my eyes burnt at how carefully sh







