No wonder Lisa was always so fond of Serena. It’s as if she saw the child in her.
That was also my first child. Sotis, I too, see her in Serena. I felt she’s co back to , and, fearing I might be too lonely, she’s even brought along a son for .
I looked down at Serena sleeping peacefully in my arms, and my heart softened.
"That’s right, we must always look forward. Damon, are you looking forward?" I turn to et Damon’s gaze, a faint smile playing on my lips.
Damon was taken aback, then he looked away. A low hum of agreent ca from his throat, "Yeah, looking forward."
Moving forward would an no more crossing paths with , right?
I didn’t know if his answer was true or false, but I hope it was true.
"Yeah, I’ll talk to her." I nodded, "She was always nice to . I rember."
The morning sun was growing stronger. I didn’t want to stay here anymore, otherwise Serena would suffer. She was already asleep, and I needed to find a better place for her to rest.
Damon suggested, "Let’s go upstairs. Serena can sleep in the room."
I was thinking the sa. Upstairs would be quieter. So, I followed Damon back into the living room where Leo was unwrapping presents. So smart folks brought their kids along. It was easier for the children to bond, and everyone could see how much the Colemans care for Leo. So, winning him over was like gaining the favor of the entire Coleman family.
Damon led upstairs. So people noticed us, and their gazes were strange.
Many knew , after all. I was Damon’s wife for five years. These people were close partners of Coleman Co., and so had t before and recognized now.
It was a bit awkward. I bore the various glances and quickly went upstairs. Damon led to a guest room.
I gently laid Serena on the bed and covered her with a thin blanket before turning to leave.
"Dad, it’s ti to cut the cake! Will you help ?" Leo ran up and grabbed Damon’s hand with a smile on his face.
Catherine followed behind and watched Damon with amusent in her eyes, occasionally glancing at .
Of course, Damon wouldn’t refuse Leo. "Alright, let’s go down."
As we descended, Catherine deservedly hooked her arms with Damon’s with Leo holding his other hand. The three of them looked like a perfectly happy family, while I trailed behind and seed out of place. I decided to pause and planned to follow after a mont.
Just then, Catherine called out to , "Ms. Brooks, co join us for the cake."
All eyes turned to . I was stuck. So, I decided to stop overthinking and confidently follow whatsoever.
"Eliana, co here." Lisa intervened. She waved at as I followed behind Catherine.
I walked over and she took my hand, leading to a quieter spot to sit. Then, she asked, "How co you’re here today? Did you know it was Leo’s birthday?"
"No, Catherine has invited before, but I was busy. I mainly ca to see you and Silas today, and to bring Leo a birthday present." I replied softly.
"Well, it’s thoughtful of you to rember to visit ." Lisa was touched and held my hand tightly.
"Lisa, actually, I told Damon about your situation, I..." I hesitated, not sure if it was appropriate to discuss. After all, it was my first ti dealing with soone suffering from depression.
I never had any other relatives or friends diagnosed with depression so was unsure how I should comfort her.
Lisa looked startled, quickly catching on. She looked awkward but tried to smile, "I’m fine. Don’t listen to Damon’s nonsense, don’t worry about ."
"How can I not worry about you?" I gripped her hand tighter, but this wasn’t the best ti to discuss this. Everyone was waiting for Leo to cut the cake. I continued, "Can we talk privately after the guests leave?"
Lisa nodded, "Sure."
Just then, Leo ran over, "Grandma, co on! I want Dad, Mom, Grandpa, and Grandma all by my side. This is my first really happy birthday!"
Hearing her beloved grandson’s words, Lisa was pleased and pained at the sa ti. She signaled with her eyes, then quickly went to join Leo cutting the cake.
Through the crowd, I saw Catherine’s gaze on . As our eyes t, she smiled a smirk of triumph.
She must had sent Leo to fetch Lisa and likely sent him upstairs for Damon too.
She didn’t want to be alone with any mber of the Coleman family
I didn’t mind. I simply looked away and checked my phone. With so many people crowding around Leo and the cake, I decided to avoid the commotion. After the cake, I’d go up and stay with Serena. My main goal today was to talk to Lisa.
As I scrolled through my phone, I noticed sothing odd. Clara posted on Facebook: I have a special talent for unrequited love
The post was from five hours ago, in her ti zone it would’ve been before dawn. A negative post like this at such an hour, sothing must be up.
Clara rarely posted like this. She usually posted about work.
Stella had already comnted: [What’s up?]
I felt a pang of worry. Clara must had had a problem with her husband in Ylandia. Their relationship had always felt cursed to . It always went wrong, despite their mutual affection and happy tis together.
I ssaged Clara: [Clara, are you still in Ylandia?]
I was surprised to find Clara hadn’t retired for the night yet. She responded almost imdiately: [Yeah, still awake] : [Are you with my husband?]
Clara: [No, not anymore. I’ve booked a plane ticket ho for tomorrow.]
: [What happened? Will you tell ?)
Clara: [It’s nothing. I just realized we’re not right for each other. I was deluding myself before. We’re far from compatible, truly]
I had a rough idea about her husband’s social standing. He seed rather well matched with Clara. How could they not be from the sa world?
In these circles, the best match is typically one of equal social standing.
By the ti I responded again, Clara had stopped replying. I could tell she was feeling low. Giving her so space might be best, so I refrained from probing further.
Everyone around was rrily devouring their cake, but I couldn’t help but notice Damon and Catherine were missing.
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