Chapter 3
I didn’t have to wait long in the room. Callum soon entered with Mila, their matching features striking- both wearing gentle smiles, eyes full of apparent warmth as they moved to embrace me.
I instinctively stepped back.
Callum’s smile faltered for a moment, but he said nothing. Mila’s eyes filled with tears. “Mommy, don’t you want to hug me?”
Her lips trembled, eyes glistening – the perfect picture of innocence that always melted her father’s heart.
Callum immediately knelt beside her, pulling her close. “Of course not, sweetheart. Mommy’s dress is stained- she just doesn’t want to ruin your beautiful birthday dress.”
Mila’s tears subsided as she processed this. Then her face lit up with that dazzling smile I once treasured.
“Mommy, Daddy and I have a special surprise for you,” she said sweetly. “Even though it’s my birthday, we never forget what you went through for me. The gift isn’t here yet – we need to go pick it up.”
I remembered all the previous birthdays, how they’d always had a “special gift” for me, how I’d been moved to tears each time. Now I realized those gifts were just excuses to meet Sophie.
Looking at Mila – my precious daughter whom I’d have given my life for – I felt hollow. And Callum, who’d
sworn never to betray me, had made those vows as fragile as smoke.
I nodded silently, watching them leave hand in hand.
From the balcony, I watched their car disappear. Downstairs, the party was winding down. Callum’s
friends were leaving, their knowing smirks making it clear – I’d always been their private joke.
Back in our room, I retrieved an old phone from a locked box. After charging it, I powered it on.
Years ago, when Callum and I first started dating, I’d learned about Sophie Blake. His childhood sweetheart, his “pure first love.” Young and insecure, I’d created a secret social media account to monitor their relationship. Once convinced of Callum’s fidelity, I’d locked the phone away.
Now, opening the app, I saw Sophie’s recent post – a grid of photos at the beach. There she was with Mila, surrounded by sparklers, faces pressed together like mother and daughter. In the center photo, all three of them formed a heart against the sunset – the perfect family portrait.
Caption: “Celebrating my favorite little girl’s birthday with the people I love most. This must be what pure happiness feels like.”
14:14
Seven Years of Love, Seven Minutes of Truth
1.2%
Chapter 3
I stared at the photos until my eyes burned. In one, while Mila played with sparklers, two figures embraced in the background. After seven years of marriage, I knew Callum’s silhouette anywhere,
The betrayal had always been there.
Steadying myself against the desk, I went to his study. In the safe lay a share transfer agreement.
When we got together, Callum’s parents especially his mother had violently opposed our relationship. The compromise: they wouldn’t interfere, but we couldn’t legally marry, So Callum had given me this document as security, compensating for the lack of marital protection with financial guarantee,
Now, I thought, it was time to use it.
