Chapter 1

Six years ago, James Easton found out that Yara Moon, his first love, was unexpectedly pregnant and left me to take care of her at the hospital day and night.

Later, fearing that I might get jealous and cause a scene that would upset Yara, James sent me abroad to study.

Now, six years later, he invited me to his wedding with Yara.

To his surprise, he noticed a child by my side who bore a striking resemblance to me.

Before he could even ask, I took the initiative to introduce her.

"This is Maddie, my daughter," I explained.

James went berserk, shouting at me.

"Amalia Shaw, how dare you get married and have a child without my consent?" he yelled.

"Didn't you say it yourself?" I replied calmly. "As long as I didn't interfere with you and Yara, I could do whatever I wanted."

*****

I was on my way to pick Maddie up from school when my phone rang. It was James.

I'd deleted his number ages ago, but the moment I saw those digits flash on my screen, I knew exactly who it was.

"Amalia, Yara, and I are getting married next month. It's all happening so fast, and she still needs a bridesmaid. You've known her for ages, so could you come back and be her bridesmaid?" he said.

I just said "Okay" and, without another word, hung up.

Maddie's big, round eyes were fixed on my face.

"Mommy, who was that?" she asked.

"An old friend is getting married, and they invited us to head back home for the wedding," I replied.

"Really? I've never been to a wedding before," Maddie exclaimed.

I honestly wanted nothing to do with James and all his drama.

But he did pay for my college overseas.

Now that he was getting married, the least I could do was show up and be polite.

Besides, Maddie had never even been back home.

I figured this was the perfect chance to bring her home and let her meet my friends and family.

As soon as the plane landed, James said he'd come pick me up himself.

I'd already told him not to come, but I knew he wouldn't listen.

So I had my sister take Maddie on the next flight. I didn't want Maddie to run into James.

"Long time no see, Amalia.

"Come on, say hi to Amalia," Yara said as she walked over.

James wasn't alone. Yara and her daughter were there too.

"Mommy, who's that?" the little girl asked, looking up at Yara.

Yara looked a bit lost, shooting a confused glance at James.

James took her hand.

"Rosie, this is Aunt Amalia," he said.

"Daddy, that's not right. She's my auntie." Rosie piped up.

James scooped her up, giving her nose a playful tap.

"My little girl's growing up. You're even smarter than Daddy now. How did you get so awesome?" he teased.

Yara took the chance to hook her arm around James, giving me a sheepish grin.

"Sorry to trouble you, Amalia. Making you come all the way from abroad just for our little wedding.

"We were supposed to get married the year after next, but James said that was way too far off. He couldn't wait. So now the date's been moved up, and we're scrambling to get everything ready.

"When you get a chance, help me talk him out of being so impatient, will you?" she said.

I didn't even bother responding to Yara. I just brushed past her and spoke straight to James.

"I've already called a cab. I'm heading out," I said.

Before James could say anything, Rosie piped up.

"Mommy, she isn't nice at all. I don't want her to be my auntie," she said.

"Don't say that." Yara pretended to scold, giving her hand a light tap, then turned to me with an awkward smile.

"Amalia, she's just a kid. Kids just blurt things out. Don't take it to heart," she added.

"I won't let you be mean to my mommy," Rosie shouted.

Rosie suddenly burst into loud sobs, struggling in James's arms, so Yara hurriedly scooped her up.

She walked off to the side, soothing her daughter, leaving me and James awkwardly facing each other.

James snapped first.

"Amalia, after all these years, why can't you just face the facts? This is grown-up stuff. Why drag the kids into it?

"Yara dropped everything for the wedding just to come with me and pick you up, and you treat her like this?

"After this wedding, I hope you can go back to your own life. Let's stay out of each other's lives from now on," he said.

James turned and walked away, leaving me standing there. As I watched their figures blur into the distance, I couldn't help but let out a dry, self-mocking laugh.

Maddie and my sister's flight landed around the same time, so I decided to just wait at the airport for them.

Bored out of my mind while waiting, I kept replaying what James had just said to me.

Before I knew it, tears slipped down my cheeks.

Once this wedding was over, I'd never let him back into my life again.

I never imagined that after six years apart, seeing James again would still leave me feeling so miserable.

The moment Maddie spotted me, she threw her arms around me and hugged me tight.

"Mommy, why are you crying? Did someone bully you?" she asked.

I gently ruffled Maddie's hair.

"It's okay, Maddie. As long as you're with me, nobody can bully Mommy," I whispered.