Chapter 2

Vera

Watching Ella finally cheer up again, her face covered in frosting as she eats her cupcake, I walk to the front of the bakery and pull out my phone to call Grayson.

Three rings before anyone picks up. But it's Daisy's syrupy voice that comes through. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry! There was this huge cockroach in my place and I twisted my ankle trying to get away from it. He's in here helping me ice it. Left his phone in the living room. Everything okay?"

Something inside me snaps.

All the hurt, all the disappointment, all the bitterness I've been carrying dissolves into something else—this strange, empty calm.

I can hear him in the background. Grayson's voice, low and gentle: "Still hurts? Want me to take you to the ER?"

The tenderness in his voice stops me cold.

Six years ago, I became his assistant. I stood by him through countless all-nighters, helping him pull the company back from the brink.

One night five years ago, he got drunk. I helped him back to his hotel room. He pulled me into his arms. Days later, I found out I was pregnant.

He's never used that tone with me or Ella.

"It's nothing." I hang up.

I walk back inside and sit down next to Ella.

"Mommy, this is so good!" Frosting covers her little face.

I pull a little party hat from my bag and put it on her head. "Come on, sweetie. Let's sing happy birthday."

I start singing. Other customers turn around and join in. Ella claps her hands in the candlelight, beaming.

Just as I'm about to help her blow out the candles, she reaches up and dabs frosting on my cheek.

I freeze.

She giggles. "Mommy, promise you'll always be happy, okay?"

Something about those words hits me hard. My eyes sting. I pull her close, my voice thick. "Okay, baby. I promise."

I pull out my phone and snap a picture. In the photo, it's just the two of us. The way this family has always been.

Back home, I tuck Ella into bed. I watch her peaceful face for a moment before walking to the study. From the bottom drawer, I pull out the divorce papers I prepared weeks ago.

My last shred of doubt disappears.

At one in the morning, I hear the lock turn. Grayson's home.

He walks into the living room and spots the frosting still on my cheek. Something like regret crosses his face. "I'm sorry, I forgot..."

"Ella's six years old." I cut him off. "First time you ever promised to spend her birthday with her. Only time. And you forgot."

He opens his mouth. "I've got a trip coming up. I'll bring something back for Ella to make up for it."

I smile slightly but say nothing.

He turns and heads into the bedroom, starts packing a suitcase. I stand in the doorway and watch him fold clothes while talking on his phone, his voice warm. "Yeah, yeah. I'm all packed. I'll be there soon."

Daisy's voice comes through, sugary sweet. "Hurry up. I hate being here by myself."

I turn and walk back to the living room, pick up the divorce papers from the coffee table, and flip to the last page. "Grayson, I need you to sign this."

He comes out with his suitcase, takes the pen without even glancing at the document, and scribbles his signature on the last page. "I gotta go. Call me if you need anything."

And just like that, he's gone.

I stand there, staring at the signed divorce papers in my hands.

Five years. You finally get your freedom. So do I.

---

Over the next two days, I don't call Grayson once. Just wait for my resignation to process.

I start packing up the house. I don't touch any of Grayson's things. His clothes, his files, his personal stuff—everything stays exactly where it is. I only pack what belongs to Ella and me.

The irony isn't lost on me. This house is huge, but there's barely any trace of him here.

On the third day, my resignation goes through. I head to the office to finish my transition. The second I step out of the elevator, I see Grayson coming down the opposite hallway.

He spots me, smiles, and pulls out a beautifully wrapped gift box from his briefcase. "For Ella. Picked it up at the airport. Little girls love these things, right?"

I take the box and open it. Inside is a pink princess doll.

I stare at it for a few seconds.

He has no idea. Ella hates pink. She hates dolls even more. She loves blue and green, dinosaurs and animals. And here he is, buying her a pink doll without even asking.

I set the box down on the reception desk. "Thanks. She'll love it."

Something flickers in Grayson's eyes, but he moves on quickly. "Oh, by the way. Daisy's having issues with her apartment. She needs a place to stay for a few days. Why don't you and Ella stay somewhere else for now? I'll book you a hotel, cover everything."

I smile. "Sure. I was planning to move out anyway."

He blinks. "You're... okay with that?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" I straighten the files in my hands. "It's not my home anyway."

I turn and walk away. His voice follows me. "Vera, I'll make it up to you guys."

I don't look back.

The damage is done. No amount of money can fix that.

The moment I get home, I grab the bags I packed days ago. Ella has her little backpack on, clutching her stuffed animal.

I take her hand and open the door.

Grayson's standing right outside with Daisy. He's carrying her suitcase in one hand, his other hand on her waist.

Our eyes meet. For a split second, I see panic flash across his face.

Daisy's eyes go wide. "Vera? What are you doing here?"