Gingy Store, 2:00PM
I sighed as I straightened my back and took the shopping bag from the counter. The dark green dress peeked through the paper, rich and elegant.
Green suits me, I thought. It always had.
Hazel thanked the cashier with her usual polite smile, and we stepped out of the store together.
"I'll drive you home," she offered gently.
"No, Hazel. You've done enough," I said, shaking my head.
"But… you're ill."
"I'm not weak."
Before she could respond, Seraphina's voice cut in smoothly from behind me.
"Which is exactly why I'll be the one driving you, Elena."
"I have to pick up Evan from school," I said, hoping that would end it.
Hazel's eyes lit up. "Really? That little bun? Why don't we all go?"
"Excellent," Seraphina nodded. "Hazel, will it be alright if you drive?"
"I already said I would," Hazel giggled.
I exhaled, defeated, and slipped into the back seat. Seraphina joined me moments later. The leather was warm from the sun.
"Seatbelts, everyone," Hazel's cheerful voice filled the car.
****
Outside Evan's School; 3:30PM
Hazel parked the car into a spot near the gate. We stepped out, the schoolyard buzzing with the usual after-school chaos—kids shouting, car doors slamming, parents waving, and we stepped out into the noisy courtyard.
"Miss Elena."
The sound of Mr. Redwood's voice made every hair on my body stand on edge. I turned slowly, my fingers curling into tight fists at my sides, nails digging into my palms to stop myself from doing something reckless.
He stepped too close to me.
"The top university has informed the school about an upcoming competition to analyze the brightest young minds," he said, smiling into my personal space. "What do you think?"
My lips curved upward, but my left eyebrow twitched uncontrollably.
"I think you have bad breath."
Silence.
A cough, followed by a barely restrained chuckle came from behind me. I didn't bother checking whether it was Hazel or Seraphina.
"And I also think," I continued calmly, "that if you brush at least twice daily, your breath won't stink the way it does."
Mr. Redwood froze. He lifted a hand, breathed into it, inhaled, then stiffened. Without another word, he stepped back and hurried away.
"You really do have a sharp tongue," Seraphina said, amusement lacing her voice.
"And your beauty cuts through the atmosphere, madam. False?" I shot back as I turned away.
But not before I caught something flickering in her eyes. It was gone before I could pin it down.
A phone rang. It wasn't mine.
Hazel fumbled through her chic handbag, her smile fading the moment she answered.
"Hello… What?!"
Her voice cracked. Tears welled instantly, spilling over.
"I'll—I'm coming," she choked out, already turning toward the car.
Seraphina moved first, hand gentle on Hazel's elbow. "What happened?"
"It's my grandpa," Hazel sobbed. "He fell."
"I'll drive you," Seraphina said without hesitation.
Hazel turned to me, worry etched across her face. "What about you?"
"Don't worry about me," I said softly.
She nodded, and Seraphina guided her carefully to the car. Moments later, the car pulled away, tires crunching over gravel.
I let out a slow breath.
I stood there a second longer, staring after them. Please let him be okay. For her sake.
"Mama!"
Evan's voice cut through my thoughts. He ran toward me, his arms wrapping around my neck as I lifted him effortlessly.
"I got picked to represent the school in the competition!" he announced, grinning so wide I could see the gap where a tooth used to be. "I'm gonna do great, Mama."
A smile touched my lips. "Of course you will."
As we turned to leave the school grounds, my steps slowed down then stopped.
Julian stood as though waiting for someone.
His suit was too immaculate for a school pickup. A photographer stood a few feet away, camera already raised. Another man hovered near him, phone held horizontally, recording.
My stomach dropped.
Then Julian lowered himself onto one knee.
A murmur rippled through the crowd. Parents slowed down. Children stopped tugging at their guardians' hands. Phones rose like a silent command had been issued.
Julian lifted a bouquet filled with roses and lilies arranged so perfectly they looked unreal. Then he opened a small velvet box.
The ring caught the sunlight.
"Elena," he said, loud enough for everyone to hear.
My chest constricted.
"I know we've had misunderstandings," he continued smoothly, eyes locked on mine, voice steady. "But love doesn't give up. Love fights."
Whispers turned into excited gasps.
"He's proposing…" "At a school?" "How romantic…"
My hands tightened around Evan.
Julian smiled widely.
"For the sake of our past. For the sake of what we were."
I felt it then.
This was a trap.
If I refused, I'd be cruel and heartless. The woman who shattered a man's devotion in front of children.
If I accepted, I'd be lying to myself and Evan.
The chanting started slowly, encouraged by his gaze sweeping the crowd.
"Say yes."
"Say yes."
It then grew louder.
"Say yes!"
"Say yes!"
My ears rang. Heat crawled up my spine. Evan shifted in my arms, confused, his small fingers clutching my shoulder.
"Mama?" he whispered.
Julian finally looked at him and smiled wider.
A warning smile.
Every instinct in me screamed.
He was cunning as he had chosen the one place where I couldn't risk anything— for the sake of my career and my baby.
My heart raced and I held Evan tighter to myself.