Evara's POV

When I hung up, a trail of messages entered my phone but instead of explaining the scene, Edward scolded me.

[Evara, what do you teach Julia? She even called her own father a cheater?]

[If you want attention, act your own drama. Don't drag my matter into this mess.]

[Do you think that you can gain my sympathy by doing this? Give up on your childish act!]

“So I'm childish now!” I chuckled when a drop of tear ran down from my eyes.

His irritation was visible on the chat and I finally wrote the last sentence, [Since you know that Julia is learning bad from me, you chose to replace me?]

After that I blocked his number. Taking out all our things, both of us left the lavish villa which was decorated by us according to our choice. We did the interior design for four years but all the time we just lived under Edward's shadow and even when he was with us, we could never stay together. He was always busy looking after his work and Arina. Sometimes, he even prioritised Arina more than his work. In every small matter, he left as soon as he heard the name of Arina. I couldn't even remember when we had dinner together. While packing the suitcase, I discovered our wedding album, I tossed it into the trash can after flipping some pages. Since everything turned out like that, I didn't want him anymore.

“Edward, do whatever you want now, but we could never be the same anymore.” I sighed, mumbling the fact.

“Julia, do you want to leave with me or stay with your dad?” I didn't want to drag Julia into our own conflict. Even if she was small, she should have her own opinion.

“I will follow mummy.” Her voice was dim, “I didn't want that bad aunty.”

“Okay.” I kissed her forehead.

Julia and I got out of the villa and hailed a cab before leaving. I looked back once leaving all the memories here.

_ _

When I entered my old apartment, I felt foreign with the small space, but it was peaceful though a dagger stabbed on my heart. I bought this apartment with the money I saved during college when I worked on several part time jobs. Growing up, I always heard how my mother had to hear that she didn't have her own house and had nowhere to go. So when I turned older, I felt the urge to have my own house, a peaceful and cosy home. But now, the cosiness in my heart was nothing but a volcano who growled for her regrets.

When I was lamenting in my mind, Julia was an adaptable kid and she adjusted with me steadily.

Buzzing sound of the phone made me irritated, I thought that Edward sent me something again but to my surprise, it was Christopher this time.

[Evara, I heard what happened. Don't get Eddie wrong. He had to do this.]

“Had to do this! My ass!” I grumbled, flinging the phone, I wrote a quick message,

[Christ, tell your Eddie to fuck himself.]

I set the phone airplane mode to avoid those nuisances that bother me.

Looking at the apartment, I regretted everything. I wasted my youth for a person who was always devoted to her ex. At night, my phone rang. I thought Christopher called me again but this time it was Edward. I rejected the call several times but his persistent calling disturbed Julia’s sleep whose eyes were swollen from crying. I went to the balcony and picked up the call.

“What do you want now?” My tone was flat and cold.

“Eva, can you not be so petty?” Edward’s grumpy words churned my stomach, “I saw those post, you know how playful Arina is. Don't take it to heart.”

Edward asked me not to be jealous about the post and he said it was nothing wrong. He even convinced me that Arina was innocent and didn't think it through before hugging him even though he was startled. It was all a misunderstanding. Everytime I listen to him, my grip on the phone tightens, making it almost crack.

“Everything was a misunderstanding right?” I laughed, mocking their lame excuses, “Then Mr Edward Rosie, how are you planning to explain the fact that you spend nights with her?”

“Do you have to put it like that?” his tone was narrowed, “Arina fainted after we are back from the cemetery. How can I leave her alone? What if something happened? That's why I stayed with her.”

“Evara, grow up. You are thirty now, can you not be so childish?”

“Yes, I am childish!” I scoffed, “Go to hell with your dear Arina!”

I hung up the call while the ‘childish' word still lingered in my head. It happened every time Arina called him. Be it for the ambassador of a luxury brand contract or the short circuit in her house and ditching everything Edward rushed to her saying that in this she was all alone and it was his duty as a friend to take care of her.

He gave the same dialogue each time.

Slipping the coat on his body, Edward's gaze was worried whenever he heard the name Arina, “Evara, she needs me.” And he left.

Everytime we planned for a family outing or a vacation, it was always disrupted by Arina and ditching everything Edward just made up for us later. He thought that we were stupid and wouldn't notice the maze, but I let it go for my daughter's sake and for our love. But since he dared to spend the night with her, cheating me, I wouldn't let it slide. Even if Edward was a caring husband and responsible father, in his mind, he could never forget the woman and was always devoted to Arina. It was time for me to accept that.

Evara's POV

After I hung up the call, I made sure to block Edward’s number and turned off the notification of every social media platform. I turned off my phone and slid under the blanket beside my daughter before tucking her gently.

When we woke up the next day, it was Sunday and Julia’s off day.

“Let's go to play.” Seeing her down from yesterday, my heart panged.

“Okay.” Listening to me, Julia almost danced in joy. Children were happy with only small things, if only the adults were like this too.

But we didn't know what was waiting for us.

As soon as I opened the door after getting ready, , I glanced at the tall and familiar figure in front of us. Smiling Julia wanted to run to her daddy but stopped midway when she recalled those booing and how her daddy was hugging another woman that day. Hiding behind me, her eyes were teary.

“Papa doesn't love us anymore but the baddie aunty.]

Seeing that, Edward's expression was painful. Before we could take another step, Edward grabbed us in his grip and entered the apartment. Taking Julia in his lap, he wanted makeup for his daughter. But she declined. When Edward looked at me for help, my gaze was averted to my daughter who needed her father too.

Sighing, I resolved the matter for them.

“Julia, don't be like this. You know how much your father loves you, you can't hurt him alright?”

“Papa loves me?” She blinked, her head hung low.

“Of course.” I patted her head.

Julia looked up and looked at Edward, “If Papa loves us, then why was he hugging another lady?”

Edward’s face darkened and he bit his lower lip hard. He opened his mouth to say something but I covered the matter.

“Actually we should compensate for causing trouble, don’t we?” I laughed, pulling my daughter into my embrace, “Dad also did wrong with the aunty. While playing the aunty fell due to your Papa. So Papa was making up for her.”

“Is that so?” Julia smiled, “Sorry Papa, I shouldn't have said something.”

Edward kissed her forehead and pulled her closer, “It's alright Julia. For making up of the sports day, why don't you go for a grand lunch?”

“That would be great.” She jumped in joy and hugged me, “Mom, do you want to go?”

I wanted to say ‘No’. Children’s minds were simple and she believed it so easily. But he couldn't make me believe something stupid right? Even though the matter was resolved in front of Julia, we knew in our mind that it was not settled at all.

“It will never be settled.” I mumbled to myself.

“Mummy, let's go.” Julia’s voice brought me back to the earth, “I am craving some lobster.”

I initially didn't want to go but Julia said she was craving lobster very much, I agreed. In the car, Edward tried to explain or more liked to manipulate me but I said that I was not interested anymore.

Looking outside of the window, I mumbled, “Since everything turned out to be like this, let’s drift apart.”

“What about Julia?” Edward mumbled, his eyes were still on the road, so I didn't catch up with his expression.

“We can do co-parenting.” I looked at Julia who was smiling happily, “She needs both of us.”

Before Edward could say anything about this matter, Julia drew our attention.

“Papa see, I painted this picture.” She smiled ear to ear.

She painted the three of us and wrote happy family. I felt somehow the ‘happy’ was truly ironic showing the unwavering discomfort in the relationship.

When we reached inside the private room, I was astonished to see two familiar figures in front of us. They were none other than Christopher and Arina. Smiling, they approached us when we entered.

“What takes you so much time?” Christopher leaned on the chair and asked.

“Traffic.” Edward replied. During the time we stayed together, I had never seen Edward lose his cool but only with Arina, he expressed his emotion without hiding.

Meanwhile, Arina came in front of Julia. Stretching her hands, she wanted to pick her up but Julia hid behind Edward and cried out, “You are a bad aunty. You want to snatch Papa from us. Don't come near me.”

Arina was taken aback, embarrassed she almost teared up when Edward hugged her shoulder and comforted her, “Arina, Julia is still a child. Don't take her words to your mind.”

I was tired of those dramas and wanted to go home already. Carrying Julia, I sat on the chair, “Why don't we start eating already?”

They were startled by my act but Christopher managed everything, “Alright let’s eat.”

Soon the table was filled with delicious dishes. But when we sat down to eat, Edward started peeling lobster for Arina while Julia was left out. Even though I peeled them for her, she was sad that her father didn't spare any attention.

Finally Christopher noticed the matter and said teasingly, “Eddie, don’t give all the lobster in Arina’s place, your princess is waiting for her turn too.”

He pointed to Julia who was looking very down. Only then he got back to his senses and had an unreadable expression on his face.

Evara's POV

Edward linked twice and looked at Julia who was looking sad and pouted, “Uncle Christopher, I don't want lobster anymore.”

For a moment, even after listening to Julia, Edward was still in a daze. His eyes were lingering on me and my daughter who were trying hard to save the last bit of dignity. Even though Julia was a child, she was very mature and knew how to handle a situation.

She took some chicken and put in on my plate, “Mummy, hurry up, eat it. We can leave after that.”

She smiled, not to make the situation more ugly.

When Edward finally hit reality, he smiled at Julia, “Sorry, I was caught up. Order lobster again..I will peel it for you.”

But Julia declined, pointing to the peeled lobster on her plate, “Mom already did it for me. You can just do it for that Ugly Aunty since she doesn't know anything.”

I pursed my lips to hold back the laughter when Julia made that remarks. Turning her expression extremely ugly, Arina mumbled, “Eddie, looks like your daughter doesn't like me at all.”

“In case I shouldn't be here.” She faked her tears.

Here we went again! Now she would cry and made fuss like we bullied her.

Frowning, I couldn't take it anymore.

“She is still a child.” He said, before turning his head to us, “Julia, baby, what do you like?”

“How about beef?” His voice was soft and sweet.

“Dad, I'm already having chicken.” Julia waved her hands, “Moreover, look at the crybaby beside you, focus on her more.”

Her blatant outburst made Edward take aback and he looked at me for an explanation. Shrugging my shoulders, I smirked, giving the idea ‘You deserve it.’

Though I expected him to be furious, he didn't lose his cool, “Don't make things hard for this aunty. She loves you.”

He consoled her, “How about we get some ice creams.”

“No,” I said, my voice firm, leaving no room for negotiation, “Edward, she is having a cold. Didn't she tell you already that she doesn't want anything? Why force her?”

Edward froze for a moment, clearly taken aback by my tone. The tension between us thickened, almost palpable.

“Why are you being so cold?” He mumbled, trying to figure out the ultimate emotion in my eyes. But I didn't pass anything other than disappointment.

I broke eye contact, focusing on the napkin as I calmly wiped my mouth, forcing myself to remain composed.

I glanced at Julia who finished her meal and looked at me like she was ready to leave.

Though I had a drink or two earlier, I was not drunk and could still drive. I took Julia in my arms and looked at the three of them, “You guys go ahead and enjoy. We have to leave.”

“Leaving so soon?” Christopher got up from his seat and approached me with a faint smile trying to cover the embarrassing situation just now.

“Yes,” I nodded, giving no room for further discussion, “Julia has school tomorrow. If she can't go to bed now, she will be late.”

When we are leaving, Arina spoke up, her head was downcast, “Eva, are you leaving for me? Look, Eddie is used to taking care of me. Please don't be mad at him.”

She made me a villain in their story already but this time she was not even leaving my daughter, “It's alright if Julia doesn't like me. In this case, I will never come in front of him.”

Edward opened his mouth to say something but before he could speak up, I invaded, “Arina, it was not you. It's just Julia is still a child and she needs proper rest. So, we are leaving.”

“But I am really feeling bad if you get all weary for yesterday.” She bit her lower lips. I squinted my eyes, trying to bite back the sarcasm, “Arina, don't worry. I am not petty.”

“Eva, are you really angry about yesterday?” Christopher brought back the conversation again, trying to sabotage my leaving before giving a proper explanation, “Why do you do that?”

I frowned, Julia leaned back to my shoulders and whispered, “Mummy, I want to leave.”

I patted her head and kissed her nose, “Hold on a moment.”

“Arina, Christopher, I have Julia now and that's enough.” I smiled, looking at her, “Do you think I lack anything to be petty?”

When Edward saw how I didn't include him in my family, his expression changed drastically and the tremendous sense of fear engulfed his narrowed eyes, “What are you saying? I already told you that Lulu died. Eva, Ari collapsed yesterday. How could I leave her alone?”

“No, that's good that you stayed with her.” I smiled, if Julia was not in my arms, I would have clapped.

“Eva, you don't have to pretend.” Arina successfully shed her tears and after vulnerable, “I will apologise to you.”

“Apology?” Edward frowned and held Arina’s hand, “Ari, why do you even apologize? You were the one who needed someone to comfort you. Don't think too much.”

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. His daughter’s first year participation in sports day where he’d promised to be present for was forgotten, buried under someone's dog’s death. But Arina was different. Her smirk didn't hide the fact that she planned everything carefully. How could anyone be so heartless to seperate the father and daughter. But it was not completely her fault.

“Yeah, you’re right!” I cut him off, my voice edged with forced cheerfulness. I patted Julia who is falling asleep and turned to Arina who was being comforted Edward, “No need for apologies”

I forced a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. “Julia fell asleep. I am leaving.”

Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked out of the VIP room trying to remain as calm as possible. The moment the VIP room was closed, I heard a bit of their talk.

“Edwar, she’s clearly upset. I think we should apologize,” Arina’s voice was firm, cutting through the tension.

“But she said to herself that no apology was needed!” Christopher sounded so done with everything, especially with my behaviour.

“But Christopher, it was Julia’s first…” Arina’s fake concern was enthusiastic.

“What?” Christopher tried to argue.

“Enough, both of you,” Edward cut in decisively. “She just needs more time to calm down.”

I gritted my teeth, the words stinging more than I cared to admit. Ignoring the heated exchange behind me, I stormed out of the restaurant. I flagged down a taxi, my heart pounding with a mix of anger and hurt.

As the car sped towards my apartment, my mind raced.

Ridiculous.

How could Edward dismiss my feelings so easily like I am no one? Why didn't he protest when Arina tried to portray me as a bad girl?

The frustration was suffocating.

I was beyond frustrated. I felt the air alone was choking me.

Had I really become that person? Constantly angry at Edward for favouring Arina on everything? Was that why he could speak so dismissively? So confidently?

But my pain is real too! The way Edward seemed to prioritize Arina over everything else was clearly happening, day to day! I had seen him drop everything to be by her side, leaving me feeling neglected and unimportant.

As I struggled to contain my emotions, tears slipped down my cheeks. I tried to stifle my sobs, but the pain was simply too raw, too real.