Chapter 1

During my daughter, Nadia Payne's, birthday party, she leaned toward the candles and made a wish in Jirnum. "I hope Ms. Carton can be my mom this year."

My husband, Zachary Payne, smiled and ruffled her hair. "Your wish will come true very soon."

I froze. The cake slipped right out of my hands and fell to the floor.

Zachary looked at me, concerned. "What's wrong?"

I shook my head quickly and smiled. "I lost my grip, that's all."

The truth was, I understood the Jirnum language. Panic hit me so hard I couldn't even hold onto the cake.

It seemed Zachary had forgotten I grew up in Jirnumia and only returned for university. Back then, he even learned Jirnum just to get closer to me after finding out I spoke it. I was also the one who taught my daughter Jirnum.

Now, Zachary wiped the floor clean with a towel before cutting another slice of cake and holding it out to feed me. "It's fine. I'll feed you if you can't hold it."

This time, I didn't take it. Instead, I took a step back. "I don't feel like eating."

Nadia stuffed a huge bite into her mouth and puffed her cheeks. "I'm still right here, you know. Can you two stop being lovey-dovey for one second?"

She was five and still had her baby fat. Her facial features were almost identical to Zachary's—delicate and striking.

Zachary pulled me into his embrace right in front of our daughter, raising a brow. "Loving my wife is what I do every day. You'll have to get used to it, sweetheart."

Nadia set down her cake on the table and jogged straight into my arms. "No way. It's my birthday today. Mommy belongs to me today."

She hugged me tightly, but I didn't smile and ruffle her hair like I always do.

Nadia noticed instantly. She tilted her head up, her expression helpless as she asked, "Mommy, why aren't you hugging me? Are you teaming up with Daddy to pick on me?"

Zachary burst into laughter, but I looked at her and said calmly, "I was just wondering if my daughter and husband, who seem to love me so much, might actually love someone else more."

For a beat, Nadia froze in place. "Mommy, what are you talking about?"

Zachary's smile disappeared. When he lifted his gaze, he looked soft but weary. He took my hand and rubbed it gently. "Yeah. The person both Nadia and I love most is you. Why would you think otherwise?"

I slid my hand out of his grasp. Even now, they still insisted on lying. They had forgotten that I hated deception.

When Zachary and I got married, I told him that if he ever lied to me, even a little, I would leave him for good. He made a vow in front of everyone, saying he would remain loyal to me for life. After all, I would return to Jirnumia and never see him again.

However, now I didn't even know how long he had been cheating. Even the daughter I treasured most had already taken another woman's side. Five years of nurturing and sacrifice were gone in an instant.

I thought I would break down, scream, and fight. To my own surprise, I was calm. Calm enough to think clearly about what I should do next.

I forcefully pulled my daughter away from me. "I'm tired. You two can enjoy the rest of the party."

Chapter 2

Nadia's eyes widened in disbelief when I pulled her away.

I didn't comfort her. I listened to her cries behind me and said nothing.

Zachary gently consoled her. "Don't cry. Maybe Mom isn't feeling well. I'll check on her. Be good, Nadia."

She sniffled. "Okay."

The moment I tried to close the bedroom door, Zachary pushed his way in.

Right then, a message popped up on his phone. "Are you coming over tonight?"

Zachary didn't notice at all. He frowned in worry and leaned toward me. "What's wrong, Clara?"

I lowered my gaze to avoid his and said it plainly. "I saw the message on your phone."

Then I took his phone from his hand, unlocked it, and set it right in front of him. "Hurry up and go. Don't keep her waiting. You still have to comfort her."

A flicker of panic crossed Zachary's face before he quickly tossed the phone aside, like a gesture of loyalty. "My only priority now is making you happy. I don't care about anyone else."

He kept talking as he leaned toward me with a hint of desire in his eyes. "Clara…"

I couldn't pull away as he pinned me in his arms. His lips curled as he whispered against my ear, "I knew you couldn't stay away from me…"

His head dipped against my neck. Suddenly, the door outside rattled with loud knocks. "Daddy, Mommy, I don't feel good…"

Zachary snapped back to clarity and rushed to open the door. "What's wrong, Nadia?"

Nadia was crouching on the floor, clutching her stomach. She immediately switched to Jirnum and said, "Daddy, I'm pretending to have a stomachache so we can leave. You said we'd go over to Ms. Carton's place today, so I thought of this…"

She didn't even lower her voice. Tears filled her eyes, ready to spill.

It was my first time realizing how good she was at acting. If I didn't understand Jirnum, I might have panicked too.

Zachary finally realized what she meant and grew anxious. "Don't be scared. I'll take you to the hospital."

He scooped her into his arms and glanced back at me. "Stay home and wait for us."

Nadia buried her head into Zachary's chest and cried while looking at me. "Mommy…"

I walked over and gently brushed her cheek. I said softly, "Don't be scared. I'll be here waiting when you're back."

Her eyes lit up for a moment before Zachary carried her out the door. A while later, I saw her through the window, skipping beside Zachary, looking as lively as ever. She didn't look the least bit sick.

I pulled my gaze back and bit my lip hard, forcing myself not to break down. I already knew they weren't coming home tonight.

Keeping myself steady, I contacted the immigration office about returning to Jirnumia. Since I traveled often, they replied quickly. As long as I brought the documents, I could leave in about two weeks.

Once I got the confirmation, I shut my laptop and smiled in front of the mirror. "I'll be home in two weeks. Be happy."

Chapter 3

By the next morning, neither Zachary nor Nadia had come home.

The only thing on my phone was a text from Zachary. "Clara, Nadia's stomach still hurts. The doctor suggested we stay for monitoring. We'll be back tomorrow."

He even attached a photo of the two of them sitting on a hospital chair.

Nadia had a smudge of cream at the corner of her mouth. I clearly remembered her face being clean before she left. If she was going to put on a show, she should at least commit to it.

I didn't reply. I headed out to the immigration office to sort out the paperwork.

As I stepped outside, my eyes fell on the bracelet around my wrist. It was from my latest collection. The bracelet was a limited-edition piece, available only to those willing to queue for it.

When Zachary found out, he flew to Jirnumia and waited eight hours in line just to buy it for me. Back then, I honestly thought I was the luckiest woman alive.

However, now I could only shake my head, unclasp the bracelet, and throw it into the bin.

When I finally came out of the immigration office, I ran straight into my daughter and Zachary.

When our eyes met, Zachary and Nadia froze.

"Clara, what are you doing here?" Zachary asked.

I kept the documents. "I was just handling some paperwork. I'm flying to Jirnumia for work."

A flicker of panic crossed Zachary's eyes before he forced himself to stay calm. "But you're not fluent in Jirnum."

I raised an eyebrow and lied with a smile. "That's why I need you to teach me."

The relief on his face was instant. He jogged over and grabbed my hand. "Perfect. Let's go home together."

Nadia slipped her hand into my other one while holding a shopping bag, beaming. "Yay! I know a little too. I want to teach Mommy!"

They were smiling so brightly, each holding one of my hands. I was the only one who couldn't smile. A cold ache kept spreading in my chest.

We ​​were far from home and even farther from the hospital near our place. There was only one possibility—the Ms. Carton they mentioned must live around here.

The scent of perfume from both sides was strong. I couldn't take it anymore and coughed a few times.

Zachary immediately tensed and asked if everything was okay. I pulled a mask from my bag and put it on. "The perfume on you two is making my nose sting."

I had rhinitis. They never wore perfume at home because of it. In an instant, both their faces stiffened with panic.

Zachary rushed to explain, "Maybe it's the smell from the patient in the next bed."

Nadia quickly let go of my hand and ran to his side. "If it bothers Mommy, I'll stay farther away."

She was still young and wore her expressions on her sleeves. I couldn't understand. Why did she dislike me so much? Why was she always so happy to leave me?

I didn't comfort her like I used to. I simply answered, "Okay."

Nadia froze for a second.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw them exchange a glance, both confused and uneasy.

When we got home, Nadia pulled a Hipus bag from behind her back and held it up to me, eyes bright. "Mommy, look! Daddy and I took forever choosing this for you!"

It had always been like this. Whenever Zachary sensed I was upset, he tried to make me smile. This time, it was a bag I had been wanting for months.

The two of them watched me, tense and hopeful.

I sighed, took the bag, and smiled. "I like it."

Maybe I really was overthinking everything.

Zachary's eyes lit up immediately. His arms circled me. "As long as you're happy, that's all that matters. What do you want for lunch?"

Nadia chimed in, "I want pork ribs!"

Zachary picked her up and leaned closer to me. "Well, we need to check with Mommy first, don't we? So, what do you think?"

I held the bag to my chest and nodded with a smile. "I'll eat whatever you want, Nadia."

"That's amazing! Thanks, Mommy!" She grabbed Zachary's hand and tugged him toward the kitchen. "Daddy, hurry and cook!"

Watching the two of them, the tightness in my chest eased just a little. I sat on the couch, opened my laptop, and started on my work.

A friend request popped up almost immediately. The profile picture was cute, so I approved it without much thought.

A message came through at once. "So, do you like the bag I picked?"

Chapter 4

The moment I saw the message, I knew it was Jennifer Carton, the woman they kept mentioning. She had added me just to provoke me.

I wanted to slap myself right then, because I had actually softened for a moment earlier. For one stupid second, I thought I could stay and live a happy life. Some people never change. All they did was hide behind better masks.

I didn't reply. Jennifer didn't care and sent another photo. It was a live snapshot of her and Zachary drinking from the same cup.

Behind the reflection, I saw Nadia holding the phone. Her voice played in the background.

"Ms. Carton and Daddy look perfect together!"

Jennifer texted, "So? What do you think about our couple photo?"

There were many more. I flipped my phone face down on the table and immediately gagged. It was disgusting.

Gripping the table, I leaned over the trash bin and heaved.

Rapid footsteps rushed toward me. Zachary patted my back, panicked. "What's wrong, Clara? You're scaring me."

After a long time, nothing came out. Trembling, I got back to my feet. "Maybe the noodles I had this morning were too greasy."

Nadia walked over with a cup of warm water. "Drink some water, Mommy."

I glanced at the water, and the photo flashed in my mind again. I shoved the cup away and vomited into the bin again.

The water spilled over her dress. Nadia pouted first, then burst into tears. "Mommy, I hate you! Why do I always have to coax you? You're nothing like Ms. Carton. She pampers me all the time. You're nothing compared to her!"

Her crying grew louder. She was still a child and was too overwhelmed to realize she was saying things she shouldn't.

Zachary's face darkened instantly. "Nadia!"

"What did you say? Who's Ms. Carton?" I held her hand and asked softly.

She sobbed and hiccupped. I crouched down, looking at her quietly. The child I carried for ten months now feels like a stranger to me.

When Nadia turned ten months old, I found out she loved drawing, so I spent half a year's salary building her a studio.

She loved bedtime stories. So, no matter how tired I was, I would tell her new stories every night, even to this day.

She had a sensitive stomach, so I researched recipes endlessly and tailored her meals to her needs.

I always thought I was raising her well. That was why she comforted me when I was sad.

"So do you think I'm forcing you to do so?"

Zachary jumped in immediately. "No! She's just talking nonsense. Ms. Carton is just a character at her kindergarten performance. Nadia, make it clear to Mommy."

However, Nadia was too far gone in her emotions. She wasn't listening to anybody. She yanked her hand out of mine and yelled, "It's all true! I really hate Mommy!

"Daddy, you promised me you'd give me a new mommy after my birthday! I don't want to wait anymore…"

Zachary hurriedly clamped a hand over her mouth. "Don't talk nonsense."

He scooped her up and rushed toward her room. "She's probably just tired."

I rose slowly and tugged his sleeve. "If she wants another mother, then I'll let her have one."

Zachary froze. Panic flooded his face. "Clara, don't say that. I can't handle losing you… I'll take her to her room first. Wait for me!"

He ran off carrying her, still covering her mouth.

My strength drained, and I slid down beside the sofa. My earlier bravado crumbled instantly.

For a moment, I thought maybe this was the time to confront everything, divorce Zachary, and return to Jirnumia. However, I'm worried Zachary might never let me go.

At some point, he came back and sat beside me, gripping my hand tightly. "Clara, please don't be mad. Nadia is only five. She must've overheard something she shouldn't have, which is why she's so upset. Once she wakes up, I'll make sure she learns her lesson. So…"

Then he squeezed my hand harder. "You didn't mean what you said earlier, right?"

His gaze filled with a disturbing, possessive intensity that made my skin crawl.

I knew that if I admitted I truly wanted to leave, he would never allow it, not even if he and our daughter loved Jennifer more.

I took a deep breath and forced a smile. "Yes. I was just angry."

Over the next few days, Zachary became unusually sensitive and never left my side. My daughter seemed unhappy, but whatever he told her, she now forced a smile whenever she looked at me.

I pretended not to notice.

Normally, the two of them would go out every few days. Now, even when Zachary had work to do, he stayed home.

His phone kept ringing. Each time it did, Nadia's eyes lit up for a moment. It must have been Jennifer's ringtone.

However, Zachary always glanced at the screen and immediately hung up. He even explained nervously, "It's just a competitor trying to harass me. No one else."

As a result, I never got the chance to pack my bags. The date of my departure was only a week away.