Chapter 3

Neria.

Five years of hope were erased by a single stroke, and as I stared at my dull signature, staring back at me, inexplicable pain gripped my heart.

It was over. .

I had no business there. I calmly placed my pen over the desk, and I faced the door, desperate to escape that suffocating space.

'A grip, Neria!' I chided, taking shaky strides, fueled by pain, desperation, that he couldn't see.

Noticing how unusually calm I was, Dominic seemed thrown off, and he stood up, opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to say something, but he didn't get the chance.

Camille walked in, and all attention went to her.

She was beautiful, effortlessly graceful. She didn't even try, she commanded attention with just her presence.

She was draped in expensive perfumes, fine silk, and her eyes lit up, mischievously when she saw me.

For a brief moment, she gave me a once-over.

Compared to her polished appearance, I...I leaned slightly on the pain-to-the eyes side. I know. I hadn't showered, hadn't changed, been crying all night...It was even a miracle that I was still standing. The world could wait!

" Is....this your wife?" She asked, failing to mask the amusement in her voice.

For a moment, he hesitated, " Not really..." He said and I swear, I was a few seconds from breaking down, right there, for their entertainment.

I thought I was past being hurt, but somehow, the denial cut deeper. He couldn't bring himself to be associated with me, could he?

" I think we are done here. .I will keep my promise." He dismissed, and his words hadn't landed before I slipped out, too quickly, you would think I was being chased..

From the company, I headed directly to the hospital, and the only thing that kept me going was the thought of seeing my daughter.

It was around two, by the time I got there, and what welcomed me were the discharge papers.

Already discharged, too quickly, and just like her father had given up on her, I felt like the doctors, the heavens, had too.

Luckily, she still had me...

" It’s time to go home, princess. " I forced a smile as I whispered, delicately cupping her face, and her eyes lit up at my suggestion.

She was so cute, so lovely..How could fate be so cruel? More tears? No. I refused to cry in her watch! Happiness...That's all she was getting, seeing.

By the time Lila and I got out of her hospital room, the Nanny had already prepared the car, and I helped Lila in, a little too carefully, as if a little movement could break her.

" We are going home..." She said, quietly.

" Daddy's coming, right?" I bit my lip at her question. " He is coming, my dear.." I whispered, wearing another forced smile.

Back at home, I had just finished helping her with her bath when the front door opened, and Dominic strutted in, a chocolate bar at hand..

Lila almost tripped over herself as she darted forward, hugging his legs, a big smile adorning her lips.

Dominic crouched down, to her level before he drew her into his arms. For a long minute, they stayed locked, father and daughter... It might not have been real, but my daughter loved it..That’s all that mattered.

For the first time, for the divorce, Dominic ate dinner with us.

He added food to Lila’s plate, wiped her lips with his napkins, and at some point, he playfully pinched her cheeks when she wouldn't stop talking.

It was heartwarming, and I found myself tearing up as I watched.. Why did a fake feel so real?

After dinner, Dominic proceeded to read a picture story to Lila.. The scene, it was heartwarming, it looked so real, and her soft giggles? God! I would give anything to listen to those for my whole life.

" You can stay in the guest room...it's..clean." I found myself suggesting. Lila was fast asleep, a small smile on her lips, and Dominic was about to leave.

" You want me to sleep over? So that you can crawl to my bed like you did five years ago?" He wore a mocking smile as he taunted, and at his attack, my chest burned with raw pain.

Of course! That night! He never stopped using it against me.

" I am not giving you another chance to trap me, Neria...with, another baby?" He added, another jab, fresh pain.

" It's fine if you won't stay. Just be here on time...Lila, will be waiting.." I expressed, not defending myself against his earlier allegations. It was pointless. I had explained myself for years, five, not anymore.

" I will.." He started, but didn't finish. A shrill of his phone distracted him, and at the screen, I caught the name.. Self-harming? I know.

It was Camille with a heart emoji at the end. How moving?

He didn't look back, he pressed accept as he strode out, leaving behind his familiar sandalwood perfume scent..

The next morning, surprisingly, Dominic didn't disappoint. For divorce, for a chance to publicly be with Camille, he was really devoted.

When Lila saw him, a soft giggle tore past her lips as she rushed to welcome him.

He wore a smile, too. Real or fake? I didn't care. Lila was happy, that's all I could ask for.

He swang a brown bag on her face as he crouched to her level, " The croissants you mentioned yesterday. " He whispered as he tore open the bag.

Lila squealed as she opened her mouth, and without saying a word, Dominic proceeded to feed her.

The scene ... I caught a tear sneaking down my chin. Her father, his presence, that's all she had ever asked for. And now, on her final days, her wish was coming true...

After their little exchange, I grabbed the already parked bag, ' There is a nearby market. Lila had always wanted to browse around, with you..." The words scraped my throat as they came out, and I looked away.

He didn't respond. He just scooped her, balanced her in his arms before he walked out, and I followed shortly after.

Dominic directly led us to his car, and before I settled in, I saw a pink barbie doll on the dashboard, and I instinctively looked at Lila. She didn't seem to have noticed it, luckily..She had always been perceptive, seeing it could have potentially ruined her mood.

It wasn't hers, not mine ..Camille's, maybe? or her daughter's? At that point, it didn't matter.

It was an open air market. With almost everything you could ever think of. It was crowded with people, and for convenience, we ended up hoisting Lila between us, with Dominic holding her left hand while I held her right.

For a moment, it was just me , my daughter, and....Dominic..The divorce, the accusations, Camille, they were all forgotten as she skipped between us, dragging us from one stall to another, and at some point, I found myself, smiling..., relaxing, forgetting, even.

From the corners of my eyes, I caught a smile on Dominic's face when Lila forced an unpeeled shrimp in his mouth...

Fate? Could it all last? the peace, the laughter? Forever, please? ...I mumbled..

I was answered soon enough. Camille strutted in, holding her daughter's hand.

" Dominic? " She called out, sweetly, not sparing, Me, Lila, a glance

"I happened to be around here. Chloe has a dental appointment. Can you accompany us? She is scared.." She whispered, wearing a face that seemed to blame the universe for wronging her...

Dominic's composure faltered...He seemed disturbed, conflicted..

"Dad? Will you come with me? I ...I am scared!" Chloe hugged his hand as she pleaded...