Chapter 5

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 etched on his lips.

It should have hurt, but instead, a self-mocking smile tugged at the corners of my lips.

I thought we had made some progress, but after that incident, the near-kissing incident, Dominic had reverted to him usual shell, cold and detached, an impenetrable wall.

He still showed up, but this time, it felt like a duty, forced, and it was almost like he was counting days.

Lord, tears burned in my eyes when I recalled the digital calendar I had 'accidentally' glimpsed on the screen of his phone.

It had days marked red and green.

The green ones were the ones he had stayed with us, and the remaining fourteen were marked red, like a hell he dreaded yet, forced to attend.

It shouldn't have hurt. I knew what this was, one month before divorce, and yet, that didn't stop the pain from paralysing me... It didn't stop my heart from shattering, either.

With tension and forced smiles, another week, longer than the first, crawled by, and we had just two remaining.

My heart tightened at the thought....it was like I was expecting a miracle after that month, Lila’s healing, and ...what?

" There is an annual gala.You should come." We had just finished taking dinner when Dominic informed, and my fingers froze, mid collecting the plates.

" I don't think that's a good idea." I swallowed, dread curling in my gut. It was over four years since I stepped down from the corporate world, from a brilliant secretary to a mother and a...wife? The last part was almost laughable..

From that moment, Dominic had never taken me or Lila to any formal event. Going now was likely to make things.. awkward?

Besides, we only had two weeks left.

After that, we would go our separate ways... It was very unnecessary..

" Mommy, I want to go!" Lila’s eyes shone so bright as she said that for a moment, I hesitated.

As long as anything brought my daughter happiness...

" You heard her. Be ready on time. I will come to pick you up tomorrow. " Dominic instructed before he picked her and headed upstairs to her bedroom.

The following day, Lila and I were already dressed when Dominic showed up, slightly late. The drive was short and quiet, with tension hanging in the air.

The venue was set when we got there.

Soft music fleeted in the air, fresh flowers in stands, cakes, laughter over drinks, and familiar faces.

My hands tightened around the straps of my handbag when I saw a face, no, two.. Camille and her daughter.

" She is my executive secretary now.." Following my gaze, or maybe, he had seen her even long before I could, Dominic explained, and there was pride in his voice as he introduced her as his executive secretary.

For a moment, that familiar name transported back to years ago...back when I was his secretary. When he used to grab coffee for me when he went on a short break, when he used to bring caramel cookies from the nearby store on his way in... God, those memories...

' Don't cry, Neria. ' I begged, as I chewed on my inner cheek.

' Do you also drive her to her apartment after work?....Do you linger outside her door like you used to linger outside mine after dropping her?' Those questions burned at the tip of my tongue, and I almost asked, but I didn't .

" I have things to do..find your way around. " Dominic stated, and before I could react, he was gone.

It was just me, and Lila, surrounded by strangers, in a territory that didn't welcome us.

Then came the whispers.

'That's Neria Hale, right?' Some former colleague asked.

' Yeah. Apparently, she is no longer one of us..'

' She slept her way into the CEO's life, remember?' Another asked, and giggles so mocking followed. My skin burned. I almost snapped, but I endured, holding Lila’s hand as we strode.

' I heard the CEO doesn't love her.. I can't blame him, though. ' Another voice, another laughter, a sweet hell.

Lila didn't seem to hear. She was enjoying a bowl of hot chocolate, her eyes darting around curiously.

' It's true. The CEO loves Miss Camille..Neria is the third party here.' Another jab, and I grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, gulped the contents, too fast, too quickly, just to maintain my composure.

" Neria? Lila, come join us." Camille wore a sweet smile as she 'invited'. Eyes were on us. What option did I have? I forced a smile as I walked to their table.

It was just her, Chloe, her daughter and two friends.

" You made it? Dominic didn't keep you waiting, did he? he had to drop Chloe and I first." She whispered, so casually, as if it meant nothing, and she watched with a smile, waiting for me to break. So, that's why?

"Camille? You look very beautiful tonight.. You are even wearing a limited edition necklace. It must cost a fortune. " The tension was broken by her friend's voice, mischief playing in her eyes as she looked at my bare neck.

" It's nothing. Dominic got it for me... It hasn't been released to the market yet." Camille wore a gentle smile as she stated, her eyes soft as she looked at the distance, where Dominic was conversing with investors.

At the side, I clenched my fingers, doing everything to stay still. A limited edition necklace... He really loved her, huh?

He had never bought me anything, not even a flower, and I called myself his wife.

"Mommy? Did you bring my miniature Dollhouse?" Just then, Chloe's clear voice cut in and standing next to me, I felt it, as Lila’s little frame froze.

She had always wanted a specific miniature Dollhouse. I had heard her tell Dominic before. Sadly, she only wanted him to buy it for her. At the mention of it, of course, her reaction was expected.

" The one Daddy Dominic bought me!" Chloe squeeled as she took it from Camille's hands.

" Don't call him that! He is my Daddy! Alone!" Fury lined Lila’s little voice as she warned, almost at the verge of tears.

Dominic had bought the Dollhouse for his first love's daughter, despite his own daughter having begged for it before...I felt like I was being choked.

" What if he is your father? He loves me more! He spends time with me more.." Chloe declared, so proudly that I couldn't stay still.

" Shut up."

" Don't raise your voice at my daughter, Neria! Where is the lie? Dominic doesn't like your little bastard.." Camille cut in, but I didn't let her finish.

She had just called my daughter a bastard..That was unforgivable.

The slap came too quickly, instinctively, and when I reacted, Camille was pitifully holding her cheek while Dominic stood beside her, worried, a storm brewing in his eyes.

" What have you done, Neria?" He snapped.

" Daddy? Mommy did nothing.. They were bullying her. She even .." Lila talked in my defence, and for a second, Dominic hesitated.

" She is lying. This bad aunt bulled my Mommy! She even slapped her!" Chloe's voice cut in, and anger returned on Dominic's face as he looked at Camille.

" Neria! Apologise to Camille, Now!" He ordered.

My composure faltered. He was forcing me to apologise? Someone had insulted his daughter and,

" Dominic, we need to talk!" I forced out,

" Now!"