Chapter 2

I swallowed the bitterness rising in my chest.

No matter how much it hurt, I would not lose my composure in front of a guest.

Before I could even greet her, Nicole ran toward Alina like a gust of wind and threw her arms around her. "Aunt Alina, you're finally here. I missed you so much."

Alina smiled warmly. She reached into her bag, pulled out a thick stack of cash, and slipped it into Nicole's hand. "My sweet girl, I missed you too."

Nicole grabbed the money and ran straight to her room.

A moment later, she came back holding a certificate and a beautifully wrapped gift box. "Aunt Alina, I made this certificate and picked out this Christmas gift just for you."

Her eyes were shining. I had never seen her look at me like that. There was pure joy in her face, and something else too—admiration, almost worship.

I looked at the certificate. Gold letters spelled out, "Most Beautiful Mom."

It felt like salt being rubbed into an open wound. So the "good mom" in my daughter's heart had never been me.

Cedric stood beside them, smiling as he opened the gift box. Inside was a diamond necklace. He lifted it carefully and placed it around Alina's neck.

The diamonds caught the light, sparkling with every movement. Each flash felt like a blow to my chest.

I had seen that necklace a few days ago in his drawer. I had been foolish enough to think it was meant for me.

Ever since Luke, Cedric's older brother, passed away, his wife, Alina, had become the center of this household.

Vince and Helen treated her like their own daughter.

Cedric always said he was just looking after her for his late brother's sake.

They went out of their way to pamper Alina, always attentive to her every need.

Even Nicole adored her and always asked if Alina could be her godmother.

Standing there together, they looked like a perfect family.

And me? I was still wearing a faded apron. My face looked tired. There was a grease stain on my clothes.

I looked like a servant, like someone who did not belong.

I tugged at my shirt awkwardly, trying to hide the mess.

Helen walked over and snapped at me, "What are you doing standing there? Go serve the food."

After Alina sat down, Vince and Helen held her hands, asking her one question after another about her life.

Nicole sat close to her, smiling as if everything in the world was perfect.

Cedric gave me a shove. "Go check the soup."

My mind went blank. I turned and walked into the kitchen like a machine. Memories flashed through my head, one after another, but none of them felt real anymore.

From the living room, Alina called out, "Patricia, do you want me to help you?"

I opened my mouth to answer, but Helen cut in sharply, "Alina, you don't need to do that kind of work. If Luke were here, I would never forgive myself for letting you do something like that."

Alina, who had started to stand up, slowly sat back down, still smiling gently.

Nicole picked up a piece of dried strawberry and handed it to her. Then she looked up and said, without hesitation, "Aunt Alina, you don't have to do anything. Just let my useless mom handle it. That's all she's good for anyway."

I had just stepped out of the kitchen with a tray when those words hit me. I stopped where I was. Even breathing hurt.

Cedric was the first to notice me.

He cleared his throat, a little awkward. "Why are you standing there like that? Are you trying to scare people?"

Nicole finally turned to look at me. For a split second, guilt flickered across her face. Then it disappeared, replaced by cold contempt.

"I'm just telling the truth," she said. "Aunt Alina is successful and independent. She shouldn't have to do dirty work.

"You don't even have a job. Housework is your responsibility."

After that, I did not hear anything else.

"Shut up!" I slammed the plate down onto the table so hard that the sound echoed through the room.

Everyone froze. Nicole flinched and quickly buried herself in Alina's arms.

The whole house fell silent.

Vince's fork hit the table with a sharp clack. His face flushed red as he glared at me. "Have you lost your mind?"

Helen rushed over and grabbed my hand, her voice suddenly soft, as if she were trying to smooth things over. "Patricia, she's just a child. Why are you arguing with a kid?"

I clenched my fists so hard that they started to shake.

Nicole looked at me with cold, distant eyes. A deep wave of sadness washed over me.

This was the girl I had carried for ten months. I had nearly died bringing her into this world. I kept repeating that to myself, over and over, just to stop myself from breaking.