Life had been going smoothly for a while, almost too smoothly. Maybe the gods of fate had grown jealous of me, or maybe they had just decided to toy with my life for their own amusement. Either way, my luck had run out.
It started as an innocent day, just a simple mom-and-kids outing. I had promised Liam and Liliana a special day out, and today was the perfect opportunity. Liam had been talking nonstop about a particular toy he wanted, and I finally gave in.
Grabbing their hands, we walked through the large mall, stopping at different stores. I let them pick out little trinkets, clothes, and some sweets, spoiling them just a little. Liam, of course, was most excited about visiting the toy store, his eyes shining as we walked in. While he browsed the shelves, Liliana stood beside me, her tiny hands gripping the hem of my shirt.
Once Liam had chosen his precious toy, we made our way to the cashier. As I was busy pulling out my wallet, my attention split between the cashier and making sure the kids didn't run off, something happened.
I heard a loud, shrill scream.
My heart dropped.
Spinning around, I realized with horror that Liliana was no longer by my side.
Panic surged through me as I quickly scanned the store, my chest tightening. Then, I saw her. Liliana was standing near the entrance of the store, tears streaming down her little cheeks.
I rushed to her, my breath shaky. "Baby, what's wrong? Are you hurt?" My hands immediately searched her small frame for any sign of injury.
Liam, who had completely forgotten about his beloved toy, was already by my side, his little brows furrowed in worry as he looked at his sister.
Liliana sniffled, wiping her eyes with her tiny fists. Then she lifted her hand and pointed forward.
That was when I saw them.
The two people I had prayed never to see again. The two people I wished had disappeared from my life forever.
Marcus and Rosella.
My ex-boyfriend and my ex-best friend.
There they stood, side by side, looking just as I remembered them—except now, they were the last people I ever wanted to face.
For a brief second, I felt paralyzed. Every fiber of my being wanted to scream, to curse, to cry, but I swallowed it all down. Not here. Not in front of my children.
I forced myself to focus on Liliana. "What happened, sweetheart?" I asked, my voice soft despite the storm brewing inside me.
Liliana sniffled again. "I—I accidentally bumped into her, and I said sorry. But she—she yelled at me," she explained in her small, trembling voice.
My heart clenched.
"It's okay, baby," I said gently, stroking her back.
But my attention snapped to Rosella, my glare sharp enough to cut glass.
Before I could say anything, Marcus' voice rang out.
"Amy?" His voice held a mix of shock and something else—something I didn't want to decipher. "What are you doing here?"
I crossed my arms, forcing a smirk onto my lips. "Being myself."
He frowned at my sarcastic tone but quickly recovered, his eyes moving to my children. "Who are those kids?" His voice carried suspicion, but what he said next made my blood boil. "Were you cheating on me back when we were together?"
I scoffed. "No, Marcus. Unlike you, I actually know what loyalty means."
Before he could respond, Rosella let out an exaggerated sigh and stepped forward, placing a perfectly manicured hand on Marcus' chest.
"Calm down, babe," she cooed before turning her sharp gaze toward me. "I think the real question here is—where is their father?" A sickly sweet smile spread across her lips. "Oh, wait… Don't tell me they're fatherless?" Her voice was laced with mock pity. "Or maybe they're just bastards with no father at all?"
The air around me felt thick, suffocating.
I froze.
For a split second, I didn't know what to do.
Not because I cared about what they said—I couldn't care less about their pathetic insults—but because of my children. Liam and Liliana.
They didn't know the truth.
They didn't know they were adopted.
And I would protect that secret with my life.
Straightening my back, I forced my expression to remain neutral. "Their father is around," I said smoothly, tilting my chin up. "He's busy buying something for us."
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Liam's head snap toward me in shock.
My heart clenched painfully.
Liam had been asking about his father for a long time now. And I had never given him an answer.
Yet here I was, lying.
I had to.
I had to protect them from the cruelty of the world.
Gripping their hands, I turned away, ready to leave.
But Rosella wasn't done.
"No, you're not going anywhere," she said, stepping in front of me and blocking my path. "Why don't you call your husband? I want to see him."
Panic gripped my chest.
I wasn't scared of Rosella or Marcus—I had long moved on from their betrayals. But I was scared of my children being hurt. I was scared of them learning the truth in such a cruel, humiliating way.
Liam's grip on my hand tightened. I could feel the confusion radiating from him.
I had to get out of here.
Just as I was about to shove past Rosella and leave, something happened.
Something I never expected.
"Daddy!"
My entire body stiffened.
I turned sharply, my breath caught in my throat.
Liliana was pointing toward someone.
"Daddy, you said we should wait for you! Why did you leave?" she shouted, her voice loud enough to turn heads. "This bad woman has been bullying Mommy!"
I felt my heart stop.