Chapter 3

3

Toby had changed into his pajamas. He looked so sweet and peaceful.

I reached out to touch his face, but he slapped my hand away. That killed the last bit of my motherly warmth.

"Daddy says we're going out to dinner. It's Auntie Mara's birthday."

Mara's birthday. I checked my phone and felt like laughing.

Today was my wedding anniversary with Caleb. Every year, I used to get him something special. Now, I didn't care.

He probably wouldn't want anything from me anyway.

"Mommy knows. You can go now."

On my last day, I didn't fight with Caleb. I just changed and followed them out.

Toby was thrilled. He held Caleb's hand on one side and Mara's on the other, skipping down the sidewalk.

"What a gorgeous family. They look so in love," a passerby whispered.

"Yeah, look at that little boy. He's precious. Great genetics."

Hearing the praise, Toby ran up to the strangers. He pointed at me, then at Mara.

"Hey, who do you think I look like more?"

He made a cute little face, making everyone laugh.

"You look just like your mommy, the lady holding your hand!" the woman said, pointing at Mara.

Caleb's face stiffened. He gave me a fake, apologetic look.

"He's just a kid, Aria. Don't take it to heart."

"Yeah, Aria. Toby actually looks the most like you," Mara said, her voice just loud enough for everyone to hear.

In that second, the looks from the people around us changed.

They didn't think a little kid could be wrong. To them, I must have been a terrible mother for my child to prefer a stranger.

"It's fine."

I was already used to this. I was already leaving.

But my son's attitude still cut deep. He was my flesh and blood, yet he was publicly erasing me.

I couldn't focus at dinner. I kept spacing out.

Caleb got more annoyed. He glared at me. "If you don't want to be here, leave. Who are you trying to guilt-trip with that face?"

Toby chimed in too. "It's Auntie Mara's birthday. Stop acting like someone died. You're ruining it. My friends say you don't even know how to smile."

He whispered the last part, but I heard it.

I had only been to his preschool once―for that field day.

He hadn't told me about it, but I saw it in the parents' group chat and rushed over.

Mara was already there. Toby was dragging her around, introducing her to everyone.

He told everyone she was his mom. I was so humiliated.

When I tried to leave, Mara spotted me and called out loudly, making Toby die of embarrassment.

Now, that was somehow my fault for not being cheerful enough.

"Toby, Mommy's sorry."

I apologized to my son. I didn't cause a scene. I didn't argue.

Caleb looked surprised. Usually, I would have lectured Toby about being respectful.

He hated that. He thought I brought my "teacher attitude" home too much.

Now that I was quiet, he just snorted. "Fake."

He turned back to chat with Toby and Mara, ignoring me completely.

The table was full of laughter.

I was the only one who felt like a clown watching a party I wasn't invited to.

"Auntie Mara, when did you first meet Daddy?"

Toby was leaning into Mara, acting cute. He wanted to hear their romantic origin story.