Chapter 2

"Done," came the instant reply.

The next day, I signed the divorce papers and went with Lucas to notarize it.

The second we stepped out of the notary's office, a tiny figure came running and threw herself into Lucas's arms.

"Daddy, Daddy! Mommy and I finally get to be with you!"

"Daddy, does this mean Amy gets to see you every day now?"

"Am I gonna live with both my mommy and daddy, just like other kids?"

Lucas answered every question with a smile. Endless patience.

I was leaving tomorrow.

I couldn't help myself. My own daughter's sweet, childish voice drew my eyes, and I couldn't look away. I stared at her, my heart aching with everything I couldn't say.

I wanted to burn the image of her into my memory. The daughter I'd fought death to bring into this world five years ago.

Amy was wrapped tight in Lucas's arms.

Father and daughter looked so alike. One handsome, one soft and lovely. People stopped to watch them.

Susan strolled over, elegant in a bright yellow dress, a smile playing on her lips.

The three of them stood together, and that's when I noticed. They were all wearing the same shade of yellow. Matching.

Standing there, they looked like a happy family of three.

But one was my husband. One was my daughter.

And me? I was just the extra one. Standing there alone, bitter and speechless.

My heart felt like it was being stabbed with needles. I couldn't breathe.

I turned stiffly, ready to just walk away.

Then out of nowhere, someone shoved me hard from behind. I stumbled.

"You horrible woman! Why are you still clinging to my daddy?"

"My daddy's marrying my mommy! Can you just get lost and stop wrecking our family!"

I turned around. It was my own daughter. Amy Mitchell.

Susan rushed over and pulled Amy behind her, like she was afraid I'd hit the child.

"I'm so sorry, Olivia. Don't be mad. Amy's just a kid. She didn't mean it."

Lucas softened his voice too. "Yeah, don't be upset. Amy's your daughter too. She's just not used to you yet. I'll help her get used to you."

I looked at Amy's hateful glare, the way she clung to Susan. I knew. Amy would never be my daughter.

I closed my eyes, turned, and ran.

By the time I made it back to the Mitchell estate, the three of them were sitting on the couch, cozy and content.

They turned at the sound of the door.

Lucas saw me. His face stiffened for a second. Then he pulled his arm back, a little flustered.

"Olivia, don't get the wrong idea. Amy just depends on Susan more. She'll leave tonight—"

"I don't want to!" Amy screamed, cutting him off. "I wanna sleep with Mommy tonight too! And Daddy! This bad woman can't keep us apart!"

I looked at my daughter, at all that hatred directed at me, and my fists clenched.

The first time Lucas brought her home, she looked at me like I was the enemy.

I tried to get close to her. I tried to braid her hair. One strand fell out, and she ran to Lucas, saying I yanked it on purpose.

She pinched marks into her own skin and told him I hit her.

She demanded I make her a peanut butter sandwich. She was allergic. Ended up in the hospital. She told Lucas I did it on purpose. That I wanted to hurt her.

Lucas was furious.

No matter how I explained, all he ever said was, "A child wouldn't lie."

He was convinced I'd done it on purpose.

I stopped defending myself. But then I found it in a doctor's report. Amy and I had the same rare blood type.

I ran a paternity test. She was mine.

The daughter I'd traded my life for.

But she was five now. And she would never accept me.

My throat tightened. I choked out the words. "I understand. I have things to do. I'm going to the studio."

Then I turned and walked out.

My daughter and my husband looked more like a family with another woman. And I refused to be the extra one.

If that's how it was, I'd rather leave.

On the way to the studio, my phone buzzed in my bag.

A message from him.

"The plane's ready. The day after tomorrow. Private runway at New York airport. I'm asking one more time. Are you sure you want to leave him?"

My hands trembled as I typed back.

"I'm sure. I want to leave him."