Chapter 3

Daniella's eyes reddened when she saw my face change. Her voice softened, sounding a little hurt.

She said, "Ms. Shaffer, I know this must be hard for you. Anyone would struggle to accept that the child they've cared for five years isn't really their own.

"But honestly, I don't have a choice. I have cancer, and my days are numbered. I just want to spend a little more time with Ella, make up for what I've missed.

"I'm not asking for anything else. I just want to see her smiling, so I won't have to worry after I'm gone."

As Daniella spoke, she couldn't hold back her tears anymore.

Just as I was about to speak, someone shoved me from behind. I staggered forward, barely able to keep my footing. The cake box slipped from my grasp, crashing on the floor—mousse spilled everywhere. It was a total mess.

"Daniella, are you hurt?" Adam called out, his voice tight with concern.

I spun around and saw Adam hurrying over to Daniella, steadying her gently, worry written all over his face.

Daniella flung herself into Adam's embrace, sobbing even harder, her words spilling out in shaky, broken whispers.

She said, "Adam, please don't blame Ms. Shaffer. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have shown up. I made her angry. I just missed Ella so much, I couldn't hold it together."

Adam frowned deeply, shooting me a glare, his tone harsh, clearly upset.

"Vicky, why are you yelling at her? Don't you get that she's sick? Can't you be a little nicer to her?" he snapped.

Seeing Adam stand up for Daniella like that, my heart just went cold.

After everything we've been through, he saw me as a bully.

I didn't even bother with his scolding. Instead, I slowly looked up, locked eyes with him, and demanded, "Adam, what's the real deal with Ella's name? Tell me the truth."

He looked rattled, eyes darting away from mine, his voice shaky. "What do you mean? I just thought it sounded nice."

"Nice?" I shot back.

Tears streamed uncontrollably down my cheeks, my voice shaking as I stammered out, "Ella—short for Daniella, isn't that right?

"Adam, were you thinking about her the whole time, even when you named our child? What am I to you, Adam? Just someone to fill the void?"

My words hit him right where it hurt. His face went pale, and he opened his mouth to explain, but nothing came out.

Seeing him like that, I just snapped. I stepped forward and slapped him hard across the face.

Adam was completely stunned, clutching his cheek, staring at me in utter disbelief.

Daniella froze, her tears cut short as she stared at us, looking completely dazed.

Staring at them both, all I felt was a sharp mix of hurt and bitter resentment.

"Adam, Daniella, you two seriously disgust me," I spat out.

I didn't bother to look at them again, just turned away and headed straight for Ella. I crouched down, pulling her into a tight hug.

Ella, still shaken from everything that had happened, clung to my neck and whispered softly, "Mommy, why are you crying? Did I do something wrong?"

"No, sweetheart," I said. "Mommy's okay, I just dropped the mousse and got a little sad. Let's go back to your room, and I'll tell you a story, alright?"

Ella nodded and snuggled up against my shoulder.

I carried Ella to her bedroom. Adam's voice called out from behind me.

It sounded like he was calling my name, maybe trying to explain something to Daniella too—but I shut it all out.

From the moment Daniella walked through that door, this place stopped feeling like home to me.

After I finally got Ella to sleep, I sat by her bed, just staring at her face. It felt like there was a boulder sitting on my chest, making it hard to breathe.

The door creaked open softly, and Adam slipped inside.

The red mark from my slap was still clear on his cheek. When he looked at me, the anger from earlier was gone, replaced by something complicated.

He stopped a few steps away from the bed, not daring to get too close, and said in a low voice, "Vicky, there's nothing going on between me and Daniella. Please, don't overthink it."

I didn't even look at him, my eyes still fixed on Ella.

"Back then, I couldn't let her go, but I never stepped over the line," Adam said quietly.

He sighed, softening a little. "If I didn't care about you, I wouldn't have married you in the first place. Seven years—have you forgotten how I treated you?"

"How have you treated me?" I finally turned to look at him, a cold laugh slipping out. "Adam, do you really think I should be grateful just because you deigned to marry me?

"Did you forget who dragged you back when you were about to commit suicide by the river? Who lived with you in that freezing basement for years in misery?

"Who was there when you were at rock bottom and helped you fight your way back? Now you say you care about me, but this is how you pay me back?"

Adam frowned, sounding frustrated. "There's too much going on right now, and your head's a mess. I'm not going to fight with you.

"But I promise, nothing's happening between Daniella and me. All I'm doing is helping her make her last wish come true, so she can leave this world with a peace of mind."

"Her last wish, huh?" I scoffed, bitter memories flashing through my mind. "Back when you lost everything, she broke up with you so fast it was like flipping a switch, then turned around and went off with someone else without even looking back.

"Now she's back, wants you to grant her some wish, and you just roll over for her?"