Being Left Out

Kylie should have known that the vows her husband, Sebastian Clark, took seven years ago would mean nothing to him seven years later.

She had known Sebastian for so long since they were young because her parents used to work for Sebastian's family until her father died trying to save his boss.

“It's my daughter's school play, Sebastian, I should be allowed to go as well.”

“My mother is coming in from London tomorrow morning, Kylie. You need to stay and serve her like you always do. Judy and I would be present for Sienna's school play.”

Kylie felt a waver of pain stab her heart as soon as she heard those words, but the pain only worsened when she saw the smile on her daughter's face as soon as Sebastian mentioned Judy's name,

“Is Aunt Judy really going to be present for my school play?” She squeaked and when Sebastian nodded, her excitement got over the moon.

“I can't wait, Daddy. I love Aunt Judy so much and I wish she were my mother instead.”

Kylie's brows pinched as she held the plate of homemade cookies she had earlier baked for her daughter. Her daughter's words stung but there was really nothing she could do. It was obvious that no matter what she did, she could never beat Judy's presence in her husband's life and her daughter's too.

“I baked you some cookies, baby.” She murmured, her voice low as she tried to hide the hurt at the back of her throat,

“I don't want that. Aunt Judy took me out for ice cream today and she even made me try the adult rollercoaster.”

Kylie immediately tilted her head towards Sebastian,

“What? What if our daughter had gotten seriously hurt? Sienna's been taking a lot of surgery stuff, and it could affect her health so badly, Sebastian.”

She watched him munch on a slice of chicken and wipe his mouth clean before answering,

“You worry too much, Kylie. Sienna's in good hands and besides, she enjoys every single day with Judy. If my daughter is happy, then I'm happy too.”

Tears burned at the back of Kylie's eyes, but before they could roll over to her lower lashes, she tilted her head away from Sebastian and sniffled to suck them back in,

“Nanny, take Sienna to her room and have her freshen up for bed,” Sebastian uttered and as soon as the nanny did as instructed, he rose to his feet as well,

“I'll be heading to the company to finish up the urgent work I left pending at the office. Go to bed and don't wait for me, I'll see you tomorrow.”

Kylie wanted to speak but gulped her words as she watched him walk towards the stairs. Thirty minutes later, Sebastian was back downstairs dressed in his work suit,

“What about the day after tomorrow?” She murmured as she watched him adjust his tie a little, but he simply stared blankly at her,

“What about it, Kylie?” He asked, causing her lips to curl into a small smile,

“No, it's nothing, Honey.”

He simply nodded, and with one hand tucked into his pocket, walked out of the living room.

As Kylie remained seated in the dining room, her eyes suddenly fell to the diamond ring on her finger and a tear rolled down her face,

She thought. They had known each other for so long since they were kids, was there really no chance that he was in love with her?

Now that Sebastian was gone, and no one was around her, she could cry to her heart's content this year again because like all the other years since they got married, Sebastian Clark had never remembered the day of their wedding anniversary.

_____________

“Welcome Mom, how was your trip?” Kylie asked as she tried to take Mrs Clark's bag, but the woman jerked her hand away, suddenly gripping tightly to her bag. She could never understand why the woman hated her so much despite agreeing to their marriage.

“I never requested your help, Kylie, stop being so nosy and go have my meal ready instead.”

She paused for a second, and forced a slow smile across her lips, “Okay Mom. I'll have your meal ready while you freshen up.”

Kylie watched as her mother-in-law Emily Clark ignored her until she was out of sight, and with a deep sigh, she headed back to the dining room to keep setting up the table.

Her phone suddenly pinged, and she immediately pulled it out of her pocket, unlocking it,

She had turned on her notification just to watch her daughter's play as soon as it was uploaded by her school, and seeing the smile on Sienna's face, a smile crept on hers as she hummed the music with her daughter's voice.

Sienna was a talented singer, and she couldn't wait to watch her daughter become better with her beautiful voice,

“That's my little girl.”

Then Sienna's voice came through the phone,

“I would love to thank my Daddy for believing in me and Aunt Judy for teaching me how to sing better. You're both the best.”

Her heart sank and that pain only worsened as Kylie recalled every single day she had spent singing for her daughter and watching her sing since she was three. She had taught her how to use her voice incredibly. All of a sudden, her husband's first love, Judy, came into town one year ago after Sienna turned five and was replacing her in every aspect.

A voice suddenly snapped Kylie out of her short daze and she immediately tilted her head to the entrance,

“Grandma!!” Kylie heard her daughter's voice and let out a small smile while wiping her tears off her face.

She pulled off her apron, threw it on the kitchen counter, and rushed out to welcome her husband, but as soon as she got to the living room, she was welcomed with a sight that made her jaw clench so tightly she thought it would break

“Hi Kylie, it's been a while,” Judy uttered.