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.