a

oving my mittens, I rushed to the main door and there was a stu

owers and I collected them. I wondered who could have sent me f

n she had phoned earlier today to tell me that Dyla

best friend must have given it to him. My phone chi

an from the restaurant. I hope yo

d the card say? I found his handwrit

you are married, I still can't help but admire you. Here are yellow roses,

ppen between us. He seemed to know that too. If only Et

nly be in correspondence and nothing more would be added

athered under the glittering chandelier

ind anywhere or on a random occasion. Yes, Mrs. Carter's

gnized me as I stepped out in my red evening dress. I remembered he was at my father

ter, when I missed my father, I tried having a lollipop as he had said and, s

ied it before

believe I had fallen

out for you." He smiled. I found him to

ll?" He inquired

am." I breathed

eems to be taking good care of you. Where is the ma

get-together when he suddenly appeared next to me. He slid his hand around

troduced him, quite surpris

ake to Ethan, examining him carefull

gesture. Then he glanced at me questioning

a friend of my fa

smiled and Sofia appeared with a glum fa

," Mr. Sullivan said as I

will have a hear

se," Eth

hen." I took

ibbon tucked neatly around her furry snow-white scru

come, but they h

e didn't seem to be buying it. Elsa meowed and tri

coming." She frowned and abruptl

of food...you want some macarons?" I asked, sittin

carons!" S

s flabbergasted

children love

as someone to read her bedtime stories.

she talki

vants not r

White is or Mulan or Tiana... I hate it w

" I restrained my annoyance. Why

Charlene, her non-binary friend whose mother was Afro-American. The girl, no, was smartly dressed in a flamingo-pink dress that almost

ing about this and that when Chloe found me. She had

ed back her hair, flaunti

us," I

een some

led. I looked at

nudged me.

I was glad that Sofia had company. Likewise, I cou

rhaps he had accidentally glanced my way and saw that I was doing fine with Chloe and the other men. He came

a waiter and took a glas

e was insincere. How int

oduced him to Steve, the ma

idly clear Ethan neither liked him nor the fact that I was talking to him,

ime?" Ethan grump

is an outstanding woma

hot a malevolent look at me as h

aking a selfie

I don

olate bar from the table of desserts next to

was quite irritated. Jeal

d while Steve q

auliflower

He was unb

was feeling ashamed of our marriage, how Ethan had given a stranger the worst impression ever. He slowly retrea

ry, Steve."

husband who has to apologize to you,

ed away. By then, Ethan was al

and dragged me along with him. When we got to a seclude

ound, huh?" His e

ting me." I protest

do you think you are?" I fired with rage, and he woul

finally warned an

e. I didn't know what to do with Ethan, he was becoming more unbelievable and intolerable

ill pondering on my deep though

followed t

direction where the noise came from. However, upon opening one

ssed. Likewise, I should have known the

The man panted, spitting out pubic hair. The lady's breasts

door and walked away. Goosebum

. Carter being fondled against the wall in the bedroom with an ajar door. Instinc

ainst my stepmother having men to satisfy her sexual needs, but I suppose I didn't expect her t

ied the impatient man. I swal

ah." The man kissed her shou

deal or not?

u already..." He brea

me!" She

I know you can't cope with being destitute. Not only that, but I'll give you everything you asked for and even more, just let'

us." She said, to my surpris

or!" The man flun

ready bored with the party. Sofia and Charlene were not in sight, and the party was thinning out. Glancing across the room, I also cou

home by her chauffeur before her bedtime. After I tucked her in, I decided to rest my eyes for a moment or two. I was feeling quite sleepy, and Ethan had left earl

d as smart as ever, and it was impossible to believe she was the same woman I had

ay

ma'

e peered over my shoulder

off earlier." Mr

concerned about Sofia's father showing up during the holidays w

't mind seeing her father? I

n, and take her to her mother. Most probably, she'd not spend more th

hispered. I couldn

said and closed t