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.

Evara's POV

When we came back home and put Julia to sleep, I took a cold shower draining all the sourness I endured today.

Phew! Laying down on the bed, I recalled how everything changed so frantically. It was just a few days ago when you and Edward planned for Julia’s birth so eagerly. He promised to be the best father in the world but now everything had changed. He didn't spare the time for his daughter’s firsts and even neglected it totally. A drop of tear rolled down from the corner of my eyes when my phone buzzed in notification.

Edward: [Did you guys reach home safely? Is Julia asleep now?]

I closed my phone the moment I saw his message flash on the notification bubble.

With a frustrated sigh, I set my phone aside on the study desk I had just cleaned. Few hours ago, my old apartment room felt cold and unwelcoming due to its rusty and dirty sight. I tossed the garbage out and cleaned up the other room to make space for Julia's study room.

When I looked at the cleaned, refreshed apartment in front of my eyes, my heart felt giddy.

“Thank God, I bought it at that time.” I smiled.

“Finally,” I muttered to myself, tossing the dirty rug into a corner just outside the bedroom. I washed my hands, scrubbing away the day’s grime, before collapsing onto the now pristine bed.

As if on cue, my phone vibrated insistently.

Again it was from Edward!

Edward: [After you guys left, they were really unhappy. Since it's partly your fault, let’s compensate them tomorrow.]

I closed the messaging app, leaving his message marked as read and wanted to focus on getting some sleep but a call connected on my phone leaving me speechless!

“Ugh!” The continuous vibration of the phone made Julia cry out and before she could wake up from her sleep, I took the phone and picked it up, “What's wrong with you? Calling like a madman?”

“Eva, that should be my line.” His extremely low voice indicated how drunk he was, “How long are you planning to stay outside. Come home hurriedly.”

“Have I ever told you that I am going back?” I snorted, with the cool gush which made Edward shake to the core, “Edward, we are done for and about the compensation…duh! I don't give a fuck!”

After I cut the call, blocking him completely, so that he could never disturb us.

I already drafted the divorce paper from my advocate and was ready to send him immediately.

After I put aside Edward’s thought, I went to scroll my Instagram since I could not sleep anymore.

As soon as I opened the app, I encountered Arina’s post.

@Arina_Nope_Just_Ari [Find someone to treat you like a princess, if not then don't cry over some spilled milk!]

It was a picture of them at the backseat of Edward's Lamborghini, Edward was looking somewhere distant, holding onto a phone, while Arina was leaning onto his shoulder with a wide smile.

At the very bottom of the post section was the time the post was uploaded [140 seconds ago] and the note [close friends only post].

I scoffed at the sight. The caption was clearly meant for me. She already started the war!

Her crazy fans were all in their teens and enthusiastic for her being a homewrecker.

Call_Me_A_Bitch: [I already knew that Edward and Arina are meant to be!]

Kawai_sushie: [Call me outdated, I am actually feeling sad for his family.]

The trailing comments remind me that I am just a worthless shit and didn't deserve to stand beside Edward.

All these times, Edward kept me as a shadow of Arina and since she was back, Edward shouldn't be with the replacement anymore.

The pang on my heart was getting louder. I couldn't help but sob hard without noticing that Julia was waking up.

“Mummy, why are you crying?” Her small hands cupped my face and planted a kiss on my nose just like her father did it every time earlier.

I wiped my eyes and kissed her cheek, “Sweetie, why are you awake so soon? Let's go back to sleep.”

Kissing, I made her go to the bed again when I started singing a lullaby but my heart is still cloudy from the fact how Edward could betray us, especially how he would face our daughter after doing all these things outside.

My phone vibrated again with Arina’s another post where she was holding Edward's bicep and was smiling shyly.

[He is rock hard! #safe and #warm]

So Arina finally started the war with me? If she could be so vulgar, why couldn't I?

I smirked looking at the picture. I hit the like button and commented, [Then you should keep yourself warmer! It's very cold now.]

I scoffed at the sight. So, Arina had finally decided to be direct about her intentions?

Fine. Go ahead and take Edward away. It no longer mattered to me!

I let out a mocking smile and tapped out a comment on the post, my fingers moving with deliberate detachment.

Ruining her flowery post, I called it a night.