Chapter 3

Chapter 3

I turned to Leila, wanting to give her a final hug. She immediately stepped back, avoiding my touch.

"Ms. Vance said I'm a big girl now," she said with a scowl. "I don't want to hug you."

She glared at me and ran back to the sofa to play on her phone.

I took a deep breath, feeling a heavy weight in my chest. I sat down beside her and pulled out the Lego set.

"Sweetie, do you want to play with Mom for a bit? This is the one you've been wanting, right?"

She glanced at it for a second, then looked back at her screen.

"I don't want it. I told you, I'm grown up now. Can't you see I'm studying? I'm going to be like Dad and conquer the stars."

My heart twisted. This was the girl I had carried for nine months, yet she looked at me like a stranger.

"Just for a little while, please?" I whispered, desperate for one last moment of connection.

Leila groaned and threw her phone at me. It hit my shoulder with a sharp thud.

"I said no! I don't like you! Why do you always have to be so annoying?"

The words felt like a knife to the heart. I felt dizzy from the pain.

"Lyra, if Leila doesn't want to play, just let it go," Amara said, walking over to pick up the phone. "You shouldn't force her."

As soon as Leila saw Amara, she calmed down. She even grabbed the Lego set from my hands and pushed it toward the tutor.

"Ms. Vance, will you play with me? I only want to play with you."

I watched them in silence. Amara gave me a pitying look.

"I'm sorry, Lyra. Leila just prefers my company. I guess she sees me as her real mother."

Her words were a direct challenge, but I didn't rise to the bait.

"Fine. You two play. I'll go make dinner."

It didn't matter anymore. I was leaving, and there was nothing left for me here.

Amara looked surprised that I gave up so easily, but she quickly turned back to my daughter.

Zane followed me into the kitchen.

"Your mother is in the hospital. Go see her after dinner."

I looked up at him. "Isn't she your mother, too?"

He looked stunned by my tone. "What?"

"Nothing. I'll go."

I wanted to ask him what I had been to him all these years, but I lacked the courage. I was afraid of the answer.

My phone rang. It was Zane's mother.

"Lyra, are you really going through with this divorce? It's been so many years. Can't you just talk it out?"

Her voice was frantic, but I knew what she was really worried about.

"Mom, don't worry. I'm not taking Leila, and I'm waiving all claims to the house and Zane's money."