Chapter 3

3

The three of them didn't give me another look.

Even though I had already decided to leave, my heart still felt like it was being shredded by a thousand blades.

This was the daughter I carried for nine months. Now, she didn't have a shred of affection for me.

It hurt.

All I could do was wait for the secret project to launch. Maybe then, I'd finally be numb.

But it didn't take long for me to upset Annie again.

She had a very sensitive stomach, but she was stuffing herself with spicy food Yara had made.

"Annie, slow down. You're going to get a stomach ache if you keep eating that," I warned gently.

That was all I said.

Annie slammed her fork down and swept the plates off the table. She screamed at me.

"Can you just shut up? Why can't you be more like Miss West? She's nice to me! You just criticize everything. I'm sick of you!"

"No wonder Dad doesn't love you. Who would want a woman like you?"

"Sometimes I wonder if you're even my real mom. You're embarrassing and you're never here!"

I wasn't there for her?

When I realized my work was taking too much time, I stepped down to a junior role for years just to be with her.

I didn't go back to my career fully until she was older.

I spent years devoted to her, and all I got in return was her hatred.

I felt a cold hollowness in my chest.

"If you hate me that much, I'll stay out of your way."

I turned and walked to my room.

That night, Leo didn't come to check on me.

Instead, a few days later, he threw a massive, public birthday party for Yara.

In front of everyone, Annie grabbed Yara's arm and grinned.

"Miss West, happy birthday! I hope your wish is to marry my dad!"

Yara turned bright red.

"I can't do that, honey. Your dad is still married."

Annie didn't care. "They'll be divorced soon. Dad doesn't love her at all."

That's when I pushed the doors open.

Every eye in the room landed on me.

I kept my dignity, swallowing the pain.

"Fine. If that's what you want, I'll step aside for your little family."

The party died right there.

The guests felt awkward, and nobody dared to joke about Leo and Yara anymore.

But Annie didn't seem to care.

When the party ended, she walked out with the two of them, leaving me behind.

In that moment, every ounce of love I had for Leo vanished.

The next afternoon, I was watering Annie's plants when Leo burst back into the house.

He looked panicked and frantic. When he saw me, he snapped.

"Jocelyn, what kind of mother are you? Didn't you realize Annie was sick? Why didn't you say anything before she left? Do you want her to die? Get to the hospital, now!"