My daughter tried to kill me. Six years ago, I became a surrogate mother, bearing my bestie, Rose’s, child in my womb even though it could risk my life just because she was a model and a sudden pregnancy could risk her career.
At the time I gave birth to her daughter, she ran away, leaving me all alone with her husband, Liam, and a newly born baby, Lily.
Liam and I got married only to raise Lily together. Ever since that day, I had been raising Lily as my own daughter even though I was treated as a nanny and a cook by my husband, and nothing else.
But, last night on her sixth birthday, I accidentally broke Rose’s photo frame hanging in the main hall.
Lily pushed me on the broken glass, saying, “You broke it intentionally. You don't want my mother to come back and reunite with Dad.”
“You vicious bitch, you should die! You should go to hell and make amends to my mother!”
“Disgusting bitch, if you hadn't seduced my father and killed my mother, how could you have become my stepmother!
Go to hell!”
“I’ll kill you if you don't leave my Dad alone.” She added, her eyes turning red in anger.
The girl I raised for six years suddenly turned against me and began treating me as a homewrecker.
I was into the marriage just for her. If she didn't want me anymore, what's the use of staying there?
I finally decided to leave.
***
“Are you sure you want to leave, Emily?” Mrs. Wane asked on the phone, “Lily is still a child and a girl. Liam would not be able to raise her alone. Can you not stay a little longer?”
A lump was formed in my throat as I replied, “My contract is over, Mrs. Wane. I was asked to take care of Lily for six years and I have fulfilled that period. Now, I’m done with this job.”
“A job…?” Mrs. Wane whispered before she added,
“I never thought you would take it as a job. I have seen you concerned about her like a mother. Even her mother could not have raised her with the love and care you showed for her.”
My throat turned soar as I replied, “I was just doing my job, Mrs. Wright.”
“Fine.” She sighed, “I’ll send you the documents to sign. After you sign the papers, your marriage with Liam will be nullified and… you will be free from Lily’s responsibility.”
As I hung up the call, I burst into tears. I had never taken Lily as a responsibility or raising her a job. She was a daughter to me, the closest person to my heart.
I had never thought of leaving Lily even though I had signed the contract for six years after Rose ran away.
But, I could not forget what happened last night. The memory of last night was still fresh in my mind and was terrifying me.
Just because Rose’s photo frame slipped from my hands when I was bringing it to the hall so that Lily could feel the presence of her Mom at the time of cake cutting, she blurted out so many harsh words to me.
She pushed me on the broken glass and watched me in satisfaction when the sharp pieces of glass scratched my legs and arms, causing me to bleed.
“You deserve to die! You are a whore who slept my father, causing my Mom a huge shock.”
“She was deeply hurt because of your affair with my father and decided to leave.”
“If you hadn't arrived in our lives, my Mom would still be here.”
“You are a bitch! Just get the hell out of our lives. I don't want to see you here.” She yelled, “Leave me and my Dad alone.”
I sighed remembering the horrible day of my life. As I turned to pack my luggage, I found Lily glaring at me with a pair of infuriating eyes.
“So, you finally said the truth, don’t you? You have been waiting all these years to leave me. It must be hard for you to put on a mask of loving mother, wasn't it?” She sneered at me.
“Lily…” I whispered, “I didn't mean…”
Before I could complete my sentence she added, “It's good! Now I don't have to put on an act of loving you and calling you Mommy as well. Get the hell out of here before I get someone kicking you out.”
With that cold threat, she turned to leave. I, on the other hand, dragged myself out of the kitchen, and went straight to my room.
I packed my luggage while waiting for the documents Mrs. Wright was about to send.
In the past six years, I stayed in this home, cooked for Lily and Liam, took care of all their preferences, their health and well being.
But, what I got in response was a curse from my daughter and a cold smirk from my husband who didn't hesitate bedding me whenever he missed his ex wife and having the audacity to say, “You are nothing like her…”
