Chapter 3
I was in a meeting with my diverce attorney when Cassian called []
“You figure out where you’re staying?”
“I’ll send someone to help you move.“[]
I almost laughed
He couldn’t wait even half a day to bring them into the house.[]
After hanging up, I looked at the lawyer.[]
“Let’s file. I want this divorce finalized ASAP.“[]
Ten minutes later, the new paperwork was in my bag.[]
I drove back to the house
The front steps were littered with photos–every one of them from when Cassian and I were still in love.[]
Our faces–once happy–now stomped over by dirty footprints.
I took a deep breath and walked right over them.]
Inside, Vesper was directing a cleaning crew like she owned the place.[]
At the door to Lumi’s room, trash bags sat in a pile.[]
One had ripped open just enough for me to see–Lumi’s favorite stuffed doll, torn and filthy.]
I felt something prick behind my ribs.[]
Like tiny needles, poking at my nerves.[]
That doll
I made it from one of Cassian’s old shirts. []
Lumi slept with it for three years.]
ཧོ
She said as long as she had it, it felt like her dad was hugging her.]
That he loved her.
God, I wish I hadn’t made that doll.]
Maybe if I hadn’t–she wouldn’t have believed so hard in a father who never showed up.[]
Maybe she wouldn’t have gotten so sick after he let her down.[]
“Still haven’t figured out what to take with you?” []
Vesper asked casually
I pulled the doll from the bag, tossed it in the trash.]
“I have. I’ll take my daughter’s things.“]
“You can throw out the rest.”
This house.
This man
Chapter 3
I don’t want either of them.]
Cassian stared at the doll for a long time.
When he finally spoke, his voice wavered.[]
“Elara, don’t be like this. Just give me the address…”
I shook my head and walked away.
“There’s no need.”
“She seems to like my stuff so much–she can keep it.“[]
Cassian looked panicked.]]
Almost like he realized I wasn’t just talking about things.
He started to follow–then a loud crash echoed behind us.
The bookshelf.
J
Lumi’s handmade plaster figurine lay in pieces across the floor.
She made that for Cassian.]
Even with her oxygen mask on, needles in her hand–She worked on it for a month.
Now it was gone.]]
Briar stood nearby, looking scared.]
“I just wanted to see it up close… it was so pretty.“]]
“I didn’t mean to…”
Cassian blinked, then scooped her up quickly.]
“Shh, it’s okay. You’re not hurt, right?”
“That’s all that matters. It was just a decoration.“[]
e.“]
“We’ll get a new one.”
I bit my lip, eyes burning.
“Cassian, that was your daughter’s birthday gift to you.“[]
He cut me off, annoyed.[]
“I know! So what? She didn’t break it on purpose!“[]
“You’re a grown woman, stop picking fights with a kid.“[]
He waved it off like nothing.
“You can buy those things anywhere.“]
“Ten bucks online.”
His indifference hit like a slap.
Her love meant nothing.
Only Vesper and Briar mattered now.
I swallowed hard
Chapter X
“Don’t forget what you promised me tomorrow.”
I turned away, dragging the box behind me.[]
If it weren’t for Lumi.]
I would’ve never come back to this house again.[]
