Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Soraya –
“You looking for someone?” Soraya asked her daughter.
They were at the cafe, seated in the outdoor area by the wellness club’s pool. For the past.
ast ten minutes, as she ate her treat, Sage had been looking around as if searching for something, or someone.
“Um.” Sage bit her lip. Her small face and brown eyes gave her away. Yet she said, “Nothing, Mommy.”
Her daughter was a spitting image e of her. It w
“So, tell me about school,” she began.
was one thing that S
Soraya was proud of, and despite that, Calum treated Sage well.
Soraya and Sage had a pleasant conversation for the next few minutes, but later, Soraya noticed two figures that made her still, her face, turning pale.
Across from them were Calum Montclair and Rose Becket, walking toward the pool, engrossed in conversation and holding hands.
With Calum’s sharp appearance and commanding presence, all the women nearby turned to look. As for Rose, the men’s of admiration for her style and elegance.
o them.
“Daddy! Aunt Rose!” Suddenly, Sage ran to
Soraya saw that spark of joy in Sage’s eyes, but… It wasn’t for her. Her daughter was more excited to see Rose
eyes were full
Rose was startled to see Sage but quickly smiled and embraced the little girl. Calum’s gaze, on the other hand, landed on Soraya, and he wasn’t happy. He walked up to her and asked, “What are you doing here? Why did you bring Sage!”
Soraya shook her head. “I told you I would spend time with Sage. I did not-”
“She’s doing this on purpose,” a familiar voice interrupted Calum.
When Soraya looked past Calum, she saw Claire Rowan, Calum’s cousin. Like the rest of his circle, Claire hated Soraya and always looked down on her.
Claire marched over, grumbling, “I know you came here just to disturb Calum and Rose’s private time.”
“I did no such thing. Why? This club is open to all members. I didn’t know Calum and Rose were here,” Soraya said, clenching her hand. “Why are you here? Are you also disturbing Calum and Rose?”
Soraya threw the same accusation at Claire, and the latter fumed. “You—”
“Calum, Claire, it’s okay) Sage told me she asked Soraya to take her here,” Rose intercepted, her voice calm. Soraya hadn’t even noticed. Rose approach
“I’m sorry, Soraya,” Rose turned to her.
“Sage wanted to join us, but we left her out because Calum and I wanted to have some private time,” Kose explained further
Rose let out a ladylike blush and added. “You know, things that real couples do.”
“Real couples, Soraya thought. She said that on purpose!
Hearing that Soraya mapped her head toward Sage. Her daughter clung to Rose’s neck, avoiding her eyes
away
ith Sage used me to bring her here! So she could be with Rose and Calum?” Soraya finally realized, her blood boiling. Yet, pain consuming her in that moment, she tried to stay calm Ju her head, she began counting numbers, locking her emotions
Then Rose rubbed Sage’s back That was when Soraya noticed the bracelet on Rose’s wrist
It was the same kind of charm bracelet Sage was wearing
Despite trying to stay composed, the ache hui Soraya no hard that she stundled a little
“Are you okay?” Rose asked. Funny how she was the most concerned person in the group when she had taken both her husband and daughter
Chapter 9
This woman was two–faced!
“I’m fine. I just tripped,” Soraya said, sucking in a deep breath.
Calum’s stern expression softened slightly. He said. “You can leave. We’ll take care of Sage.
“I should,” Soraya firmly replied.
And just like that, Calum and Rose walked away, finding another seat far from her. Claire remained nearby. She had purposely waited until the happy family of three was no longer within earshot.
“Do you see that? You’re not wanted, Soraya. I still believe you did this on purpose, trying to use Sage to get to Calum, Claire said. “Haven’t you learned? After getting yourself pregnant and devoting yourself to my cousin, he never loved you. He only cared for Sage Now he has Rose. Leave him. Give him the happiness he deserves!”
“He’s never going to love you,” Claire added, her expression twisted with disgust. Then she turned and left to join Calum and Rose at the distant table
Soraya didn’t waste another second. She grabbed her bag and marched toward the exit. As she did, she reminded herself, ‘Control, Soraya, control. Feelings pass. Feelings pass. Control”
She didn’t glance back, not even at her daughter. Her heart grew colder with every step she took.
Along the way, she spotted a trash bin. Soraya looked at her wrist, and upon seeing the nylon bracelet, her anger surged. She yanked it off and threw away the mother–daughter bond.
Soraya walked out of the wellness club, expressionless. Just as she was about to get into her car, her phone rang, It was an unknown number.
When she answered it, a man’s voice came through. “Soraya, this is Silas Ward. I need you, my old friend.”
Sage-
Sage e remained in Rose’s arms, afraid her mother would be angry. Her father had told her not to come, and the family driver had. received the same instruction. Her only option had been her mother, Soraya.
She missed her, honestly. But she still preferred to spend time with Rose and her daddy. So, she had tricked her mother into taking her to the wellness club, hoping they’d run into Calum and Rose.
Her plan worked like a gem. But why did it hurt so much to see her mother’s reaction?
Sage watched her mother’s retreating figure. Then, she noticed Soraya stop by a trash bin. When she saw her mother throw away their matching bracelet, her heart ached, and instinctively, tears flooded her cheeks.
“Sage? What’s wrong?” Rose asked with concern.
At that point, Sage broke down completely, realizing how deeply she had hurt her mother. She ignored Rose and turned to her father. “Daddy!”
Calum got up and took her into his anns. He soothed her gently, stroking her back as he sat back down.
“Sage, are you okay? Tell me the truth, did Soraya force you to come here?” Aunt Claire asked.
bage pulled away and shook her head. She admitted. “No. I tricked Mommy to come here. She didn’t know,”
She sobbed again burying herself against her father’s chest. “Daddy. I hurt Mommy. I think Mommy’s mad at me now. What do I do!”
At but her father didn’t respond. Calum simply continued to stroke her back. He kissed her head and eventually saul. “Your mother will always love you Remember that Shell forget today. Don’t worry”
“Just give her some time. She will come looking for you soon enough”
Lindle dad Calum know, Soraya had already scaled off her
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she’d stop offering her love to closed doors. Only thuse who opened theirs would have a place in her heart.
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