Esther locked herself in her room and cried until her voice became hoarse.
I sat outside the door, listening to my daughter's broken sobs, feeling like someone was cutting my heart open piece by piece.
"Mommy…"
Her small voice came through the door.
"Everyone in my class says Daddy belongs to Jessica."
She choked back tears.
"But I never tried to steal him from her…"
"I just wanted Daddy to love me too."
My eyes burned instantly.
For a child, a father's love should have been the easiest thing in the world to receive.
But my daughter had to beg for it.
That night, Esther eventually fell asleep from crying.
Even in her sleep, she was still holding Benjamin's photo tightly in her arms.
I lay beside her, staring at the ceiling until dawn.
I didn't know how long I stayed awake before I reached for my phone.
The first thing I saw was Cynthia's latest social media update.
The caption was simple.
"Jessica finally has the fatherly love she has always deserved."
"No one can take away what belongs to us."
Attached was a photo.
Cynthia stood on one side.
Benjamin stood on the other.
Jessica was between them, smiling brightly.
The three of them hugged each other like a perfect family.
A family that had no place for me.
Or Esther.
I stared at the photo for a long time.
Then, almost out of habit, I tapped the like button.
A second later, a message appeared.
It was from Cynthia.
A video.
My fingers paused for a moment before I clicked it.
The screen lit up.
Benjamin's face appeared.
He looked relaxed and happy.
The video had been recorded shortly after he returned from abroad.
Someone behind the camera laughed and asked,
"Ben, what do you think is the happiest moment in your life?"
Benjamin leaned back casually.
Then he smiled.
"Probably last week overseas."
"When I finally got Jessica to sleep, then I pulled Cynthia into the bathroom."
Laughter erupted around him.
His voice carried a rare tenderness.
A tenderness I had not felt from him in years.
I froze.
My hands became cold.
For a moment, I couldn't even breathe.
Then I remembered another post Cynthia had uploaded before.
She had written:
"Ever since Jessica was born, we barely have any time alone."
"We can only secretly spend time together after she falls asleep."
Back then, I had seen that post.
But I convinced myself it wasn't what it looked like.
I told myself Benjamin loved me.
I told myself there had to be an explanation.
I told myself I should trust my husband.
How ridiculous.
The truth had been in front of me all along.
I was just the only person refusing to see it.
Before I could put down my phone, another message from Cynthia appeared.
"Oops."
"That was meant for someone else."
"I realized too late and couldn't delete it."
"But honestly, Miss Stevens, maybe you should know where Benjamin's heart has always been."
I stared at the screen.
Then more messages appeared.
"Back then, you forced him into marriage through those methods and became his wife."
"But during the three years he was abroad, he was with me and Jessica."
"Jessica isn't even his biological daughter, yet he treats her better than any real father could."
"Even after we broke up, he never truly let me go."
"It won't be long before we are together again."
She paused before sending the final message.
"Miss Stevens, I know your family has money. You don't lack anything."
"So don't make things harder for yourself."
"Leave before you lose your dignity."
A picture followed.
Benjamin and Cynthia were kissing Jessica's cheeks.
Jessica stood in the middle, laughing happily.
The three of them looked like they belonged together.
I looked at that photo.
And unexpectedly, I smiled.
Not because I was hurt.
Not because I wanted to fight.
But because I finally understood.
Some people were never worth fighting for.
I typed one word.
"Sure."
Then I closed the chat.
A few seconds later, I picked up my phone and called my father.
The call connected quickly.
"Jocelyn?"
I took a deep breath.
"Dad."
"I've made my decision."
"I'm taking Esther and moving abroad."
There was silence on the other end.
Then my father's voice filled with surprise.
"Really?"
"But Benjamin just came back."
"I thought your family was finally reunited."
"Does he agree with this?"
I looked at the sleeping Esther beside me.
Then I laughed softly.
A bitter, exhausted laugh.
"He would be happier than anyone."
That night was the first time in years that I didn't wait for Benjamin.
I didn't check the clock.
I didn't prepare dinner.
I didn't leave the hallway light on for him.
I didn't wonder when he would come home.
Because from that moment on, Benjamin was no longer someone I needed to wait for.
At two in the morning, the front door finally opened.
Benjamin stepped inside.
The villa was completely dark.
He frowned.
Usually, there would always be a light waiting for him.
Usually, there would always be someone waiting for him.
But not tonight.
And not anymore.
For the next three days, I didn't say a single word to him.
Not an argument.
Not a complaint.
Not even an explanation.
I simply treated him like a stranger.
At first, Benjamin didn't care.
But eventually, he noticed.
One evening, he came home holding a gift box.
"Jocelyn."
His voice was softer than usual.
"This is for you."
I looked at him silently.
There was a rare trace of guilt in his eyes.
"About what happened that day…"
"Jessica was young and didn't understand what she was saying."
"I want to apologize to you and Esther on her behalf."
As he spoke, he opened the box.
Inside was a necklace.
An old design.
Something that had already gone out of style years ago.
Benjamin took it out carefully.
"I thought you would like it."
Then he stepped closer.
"Let me put it on for you."
I moved away slightly.
"No need."
His hand froze in midair.
I had seen this necklace before.
On Cynthia's social media.
She had once complained that it was outdated and unfashionable.
She had even joked:
"If someone threw this necklace away, I wouldn't bother picking it up."
Now Benjamin was giving it to me.
A gift that was probably something Cynthia no longer wanted.
A replacement.
Just like me.
I carried Esther, who was already dressed and ready to leave.
Then I walked past Benjamin.
No anger.
No tears.
No explanation.
Just silence.
When I reached the door, I paused for a second.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Benjamin standing there.
Completely frozen.
His eyes followed my back.
For the first time, he seemed to realize something.
The woman who once waited for him endlessly...
Was really leaving.
