~Adeline~
Adrian's cold words drew a slight frown from me. However, just as I opened my mouth to respond, Elizabeth stepped forward.
"Adeline," my name rolled off her tongue, laced with feigned innocence I saw right through. "Please don't misunderstand what's going on here. You weren't around, and Zora really wanted to go shopping after being discharged from the hospital, so I agreed to accompany them."
Before I could react, she reached out and took my hand. I immediately tried pulling back, but her grip was firm and her smile gentle as she continued.
"Even though Zora likes me a lot, I'll never try to take your place or anything, after all, Adrian and I are just friends. Please understand, Lin."
As she spoke, her nails dug sharply into my skin.
The pain made me instinctively pull my hand back as if I had been burned. Right on cue, Elizabeth staggered backward as though I had pushed her.
"Elizabeth!" Adrian stepped forward at once, abandoning the cart to steady her.
I watched as his eyes softened, roaming over her with concern while she cradled her hand against her chest.
Beside me, Mikaela rushed up to me. "Lina, are you okay?" She asked, worried, but I didn't answer.
My gaze remained fixed on the scene in front of me.
Elizabeth looked like the perfect victim, the corners of her eyes reddening as she leaned into Adrian's arms.
"I. I'm sorry, Adeline," she said softly. "I didn't realize seeing me like this would cause a misunderstanding. I didn't mean to upset you."
Adrian's head snapped toward me the next second, icy glare in his eyes.
"Adeline, what is the meaning of this behavior?" he demanded. "What is there to misunderstand about a simple outing? Since when did you become so insecure and jealous?"
In his arms, Zora frowned at me.
"Why do you always have to be so mean, Mommy?" She pouted. "I was the one who asked Aunt Beth to come shopping with us. Why did you bully her?"
Watching both father and daughter defend Elizabeth, the pain in my hand felt insignificant compared to the ache spreading through my chest.
Beside me, Mikaela frowned, her expression a mixture of shock and disbelief.
"You-"
She had just taken a step forward when I reached out and grabbed her hand, shaking my head.
There was no point in trying to correct Zora.
As her mother, I had tried many times before, but with Adrian's mother, Lyla, constantly spoiling her and stepping in whenever I attempted to discipline her, Zora had grown into someone many adults would frown upon.
Even so, I had loved her.
But what did I receive in return?
Unwarranted resentment and unfiltered ingratitude.
How ironic.
"And who is this?" Adrian asked, giving Mikaela a brief once-over once he took nothing of her presence.
A frowned a second later, clearly unfamiliar with her.
"Mommy, did you bring this aunt here to bully Aunt Beth?" Zora asked with a frown and I noticed Adrian's hand tighten instinctively around Elizabeth.
Once again, both of them were only thinking about her.
In the past, that would have hurt.
Now, I felt nothing but a strange, steady calm as I met Zora's gaze and spoke.
"You seem to like Elizabeth very much, Zora."
A bright smile spread across her face-so cheerful that, for a fleeting moment, I wished it had been directed at me.
"Aunt Beth is really cool. Everyone likes her. Of course Zora likes her too," Zora said proudly.
I smiled, though there was no warmth in it.
"You like her that much." I paused slightly. "Do you like her more than me?"
The question left my lips with a trace of fragile hope.
The next second, Zora's grin widened.
"Of course," she answered without hesitation. "Aunt Beth is way cooler than you. I wish she were my mommy instead."
Her words struck deep and my fingers twitched at my sides.
So this was it, I thought to myself as the corners of my lips twitched faintly.
All through last night, I had held onto a fragile hope.
Even if I had lost Adrian-or rather, even if he had never truly been mine from the beginning-I still had Zora.
Something could still be fixed. Something could still be salvaged.
But now, after hearing her answer, everything became clear.
I'd also lost the child I carried for nine whole months.
Beside me, Mikaela scoffed under her breath.
"This brat." She muttered, clearly infuriated. I however, remained calm-strangely, almost unnaturally so-and nodded.
"I see," I said quietly. "Then. have fun with Elizabeth."
After that, I turned to Mikaela, ignoring Adrian's gaze on me.
"Come on, Kayla."
She looked both dissatisfied and irritated, but she didn't resist as I took her hand and led her away.
I cast one last glance at Zora-and then at Adrian-before walking past them.
"You're seriously just going to leave them like that?" Mikaela asked as we approached the counter.
I hadn't gotten everything I needed, but I had the essentials.
"Yes," I replied, placing the items down and paying for them, ignoring the surprised look she gave me.
On any other day, I would have done exactly what she expected-fought for my family.
But now.
As I packed my things and walked toward the exit, Mikaela following behind me with a troubled expression, Zora's words replayed over and over in my mind.
When I stepped outside, I paused and glanced back one last time.
Through the glass, I could see them-Adrian, Zora, and Elizabeth-standing together, smiling and laughing like a perfect family, while I felt like nothing more than an outsider in my own marriage.
The sight settled like a river freezing over and in that moment, I made a decision.
I was going to give up custody of Zora.
Since she liked Elizabeth so much, she could have her as her mother.
There was no place in my life for an ungrateful child who saw me as less than a substitute!
