MIA’S POV

Have you ever felt loved, cared for, and cherished? But suddenly unloved and ignored after a tremendous revelation? That's how I feel right now.

Three years ago, I got married to the man who treated me like the luckiest girl. Thunder has always been there, ever since my mom died in a car accident. I got pregnant, but we lost the baby due to an accident. Because of that, I can no longer conceive. He became different. He was so cold, distant, and so mean. Worst, I caught him cheating on me with my stepsister and my best friend. Stephanie has become my best friend ever since we were kids. Our moms are best friends too, and yes, my dad married her mom, my mom’s best friend. Cliché right? Ever since that day, I realized that Stephanie had been jealous of me. She took my dad’s name and even Thunder. I also heard them saying that I was already useless for being infertile. I was hurt. Their affair has been going on since the day we found out I could no longer have a baby. Stephanie says that he wants a child, and she is already pregnant with their baby.

“I love you, but we’re going to have a baby. I am sorry, Mia.”

I was hurt. I filed for a divorce to give him happiness that I couldn’t give him, a child. After signing it, I booked a flight far from them. I was so hopeless. I didn’t want to leave my dad, but I had to. After weeks, I learned that I was pregnant. I thought the pregnancy test was ruined. I went to the doctor, and it was confirmed. I didn't tell them.

“Don’t worry, Ava. Mommy will not abandon you.” I caressed my nine-month pregnant belly.

Time flies so fast. It wasn’t easy to be pregnant being alone.

“Mia, how are you? Should we go to the hospital already? Today is your due already.” Halt! he’s my doctor and suitor, Ryan.

Ryan is a good doctor and a good guy. I was also his assistant when my stomach was still small. When he found out that I was all alone, he volunteered to accompany me, until he suddenly confessed that he loved me, but I was not ready yet.

“Don’t be too exaggerated, Ry. I don’t even feel any contractions or pain.” also my water bag hasn’t exploded yet.

“Okay, then. What do you want for dinner?” Suddenly, water was dripping from me.

Both of us were stunned. Ry started yelling and panicking.

Seven years later...

"Avaaa!! Hurry up, we're going to be late for our flight!" I groaned as I zipped our last bags.

"Coming!!" I heard her running.

"Careful!" I shouted back.

Time flew so fast, that I became a doctor as I hoped for, and I became such a good mother to my daughter. The reason why we are going back home is that Dad is sick. My stepmother, Marga, called me to come back home, because he kept on asking about me. She has been nice to me ever since, but my stepsister isn't.

"I'm here." Her sweet voice made me feel very special.

Ava is standing in front of me. She's just seven, but she's tall. She had inherited her dad's genes, all, I think. His blue eyes, his pointed nose, and even his heart-shaped lips. It's just my brown wavy hair she got from me.

"Are you all set?" I fixed her hair.

"Yes, mommy. Are we going to meet my dad there?" She keeps on asking about him.

She didn't want to be selfish. Even though they were divorced, she showed his photo to her, but Thunder didn’t even know Ava existed, no one from them knew.

"Hmmm, who wouldn't be excited to meet a pretty girl like you?" We both giggled.

After we settled, we pulled out our bags and said goodbye temporarily to our home for seven years. Ryan was supposed to pick us up and send us to the airport, but he was so busy. I didn’t want to bother with his work.

"Mommy, I am so nervous." Ava pouted.

I caressed her face.

"Mommy will always be here. We're almost near to the airport." I kissed her forehead.

Ava isn't just used to planes and this is her first, that's why. Minutes later, we arrived and quickly headed to our plane. Ava quickly fell asleep as the plane soared high. At first, she was so scared, but she had gotten used to it already. I took out my bag and saw something very familiar.

"It's been seven years, but I still hold on to this." I smiled bitterly.

Our wedding photo was the only one I got when I left our house. We're still happy here. His smile is my strength, yet also my weakness. Years passed, but I kept on searching for an update about him. I am still proud that he kept taking care of the company as the CEO. He and Stephanie got married as well, and they have their daughter, Shantalle, who is also seven years old like Ava. They're happy, but how about me? Am I ready to face him again? Am I ready to face the people who betrayed me?

“We’re finally here! So, who is going to pick us up? Is it daddy?” Ava was very excited, but I didn’t know how to tell her that her dad already has a family.

As I reached her face, someone called my name.

“Daniel? Oh my gosh! It’s really you!” I miss him so much.

Daniel is our butler. He’s already 55 years old, but he still looks so healthy and young. I gave him a tight hug and let him go as well.

“Wow, I still can’t believe my only princess has arrived home.” Daniel wiped his tears.

I chuckled and rolled my eyes. Daniel and I are just very close, and he also became my second dad. He has been with us since I was four years old, and he’s the head of the maid’s husband.

We both stopped when someone cleared her throat. My eyes widened. I almost forgot my daughter.

“And who is this beautiful girl?” Daniel chuckled.

I was speechless. Daniel must have figured out who Ava was. His eyes widened, and I just nodded.

“Hi, Daniel! My name is Ava, and I am Mia’s sweet pretty daughter!” she giggled, and Daniel almost fainted.

“Mia, he... she looks like Thunder.” Daniel stated.

Who wouldn’t say that she’s not Thunder’s daughter? If you just stare at Ava, you will probably say she’s his daughter.

“No DNA needed. So, let’s go. I am excited to meet everyone. How about you, Ava?” she also chuckled and nodded.

Plus, Ava inherited my braveness and strength which was a good thing. Daniel couldn’t focus on driving; his eyes were always in the mirror. I just shrugged my shoulder and looked at Ava looking out of the window.

“Mia, have you heard?” Daniel looked at me.

Looks like I already know what he is trying to tell me. I just nodded and looked at my daughter. Daniel seemed to understand what I wanted to tell him. I didn’t want us to talk about THEM while she was with us.

“Mommy, are we near already? I’m hungry.” I laughed at how she pouted.

I asked Daniel if we had to eat first. We stopped at McDonalds. Ava finished eating and went to play with the kids.

“Mia, why didn’t you tell us about her?” Daniel was very confused.

“You know why. When I was about to tell everyone, I saw the news about them getting married. I wouldn’t want to be like Stephanie, ruining other people’s relationships. And it was useless already because we were divorced.” I saw how sad he was for me.

I patted his right arm and smiled. I grew up being independent, and I also promised myself not to ask for their help.

“I... I just don’t know what to say, but I am very proud of you, my princess. If you need any help, don’t hesitate to tell me or Melissa about it." I smiled.

As I was about to speak, Ava cut me off.

“Daniel, how old are you?” We all laughed.

“You little munchkin. How old am I do you think?” he asked her.

Ava’s brows furrowed. We were just surprised when she held his face and looked all the way. Daniel couldn’t help but laugh loudly.

“All right. All right. I am 55 years old already.” he chuckled and surrendered.

“I knew it. I was right, you were in your 50s already.” I just chuckled and fixed her hair and wiped her sweat from playing.

Daniel and I are already close and comfortable together. Daniel mentioned to me that Steph’s daughter is Ava’s opposite. If Ava is good, Shantalle is bad. We decided to head home already because it’s getting dark. The mansion wasn’t far from McDonalds. We had reached the gate already after a few minutes.

“Wow!” Ava was shocked we had a big gate.

We have arrived at the mansion already.

“Wow, you didn’t tell me we have a big gate and house. It looks like a hotel.” Daniel and I laughed at her.

I just took a deep breath as I opened the door. I stepped out of the car and looked at the house where I grew up. Not far from us, a black-haired girl wearing a pretty dress caught my attention. She is standing and looking at us with a curious look on her face. I figured out she’s Stephanie’s daughter, because she looks like her.

“Daniel, is that Steph’s daughter?” I asked to confirm.

“Yes, that’s Shantalle. Be careful with her, especially you, Ava. Shantalle is very spoiled. Her happiness is to bully people.” he shook his head.

Shantalle doesn’t look like Thunder. She looks more like her mother. I was caught off guard when my Ava reached my hand and held it. She looked nervous.

“Mommy, who is she? Why is she glaring at us?” she asked.

Ava was right. Shantalle is merely glaring at us right now. A little Stephanie who is already brave not to welcome us to my own home. Well, the real owner of this place came back.

“Baby, you’ll figure it out later. So, are you ready to go inside and meet everyone?” I asked, Ava nodded.

As we stepped forward, we heard Shantalle shouted and ran inside.

----

“Daddy! Mommy! Grandpa! Granny! Visitors are here already!” Daniel heard Shantalle shout.

All of them looked at each other. They knew it was her. They are all in the living room waiting, but why did Shantalle mention ‘visitors’? No way she is with her boyfriend. It’s been seven years, and they didn’t have any news about Mia, except that she just became a successful doctor. If it weren’t for the news, they wouldn’t have been informed that she’s already a doctor. She never contacted them, it was just her dad. But why Daniel is acting like that? He should be happy for her.

“Visitors? I thought we were just expecting her? Only her?” Stephanie scoffed and called Shantalle.

He looked at David, and he looked very excited to meet his daughter. Who wouldn’t miss her? It has been seven years, but wait, did he just say he also missed her? All right, they were once lovers, and it is just normal for him.

“Baby, how many are they?” Steph asked their baby girl.

Daniel is just a little sad, because Stephanie hasn't inherited anything from him.

“Two of them, one adult woman and one girl, who I think ages like me.” All of them were very shocked.

What? And who is the girl with her? So, it’s not her boyfriend, but who is this girl?

Before one of them spoke, they heard a very familiar voice.

“Hi.” they had not heard Mia’s voice for seven years.

They all looked at her, and they were surprised that she was with a girl who exactly looked like Daniel? What the hell is this? Who is she? Is she her daughter? Is she their daughter?

"Dad?" Daniel's eyes grew bigger.

MIA’S POV

I saw the look on their faces. I know they are all thinking the same thing. Who is Ava and if she’s Thunder’s daughter? Why did she call him her dad? I looked at him, his eyes were all on Ava. Stephanie is still the same, her eyes are still mad at me. I looked at Dad and Marga, I was happy they were still healthy, but Dad looks very pale.

“Mia, who is she?” Dad asked looking at Ava.

I smiled and looked at her. Ava looked at me with those worried eyes of her, but I nodded at her. She looked at Dad walking toward us.

“Everyone, this is Ava, my daughter. Ava, say hi to everyone.” I told her.

Ava swallowed hard and looked at them. Her eyes first landed on her dad. I saw the surprised look on her face.

“Daddy.” everyone gasped.

Stephanie and Shantalle looked more scared rather than shocked, while Dad and my stepmom gasped in surprise. Thunder slowly looked at me. I looked away. I didn’t want to be lost in his eyes again. It’s been seven years, but my heart still beats for him.

Ava hugged his legs, and his hands were shaking. He didn’t know what to do.

“Wait! What the hell is this, Mia? Is this part of your prank?” Stephanie still couldn’t believe it.

“Stephanie, Ava is Thunder’s daughter. She’s also seven years old. I was one month pregnant with her when I left this place. As you can see, no DNA is needed. Ava is Thunder’s 100% daughter. But, if you still don’t believe, we can have a DNA. Relieved?” I glared at her.

I didn’t know why Stephanie became like this. I should have known that she planned everything. After her mom married my dad, she then took Thunder from me. She knew Thunder was my first of everything, yet, she still hurt me.

“Enough, the kids are here.” I looked at them and Thunder is covering Ava’s ears, while Marga covered Shantalle’s.

“I’m sorry, dad. I am just happy to see you again.” I mean it.

I hugged him and he hugged me back. We really missed each other a lot. I even shed a tear, but quickly wiped it.

“I am sorry, dad. I am so sorry I left you, but I am back. I will take care of you.” I felt his hand patting my back, to calm me down.

“It’s okay, my dear. Daddy still loves you. You just surprised me about Ava. Looks like we need more time to patch things with her.” he giggled.

I thought he was going to get mad at me. He loosened our hug and he caressed my face. I felt safe again.

“I am so much proud of you. Even though you hid her from us, I still love you.” he tried not to cry.

Stephanie walked out of the room. I knew from now on she was scared of finding out that Thunder had another child. I looked at Shantalle and smiled at her.

“Hey, little girl. Daniel says your name is Shantalle.” I bent down.

“Yes, and who are you? Are you my aunt?” with her voice, Daniel was right. She really is a brat.

I chuckled and told her just to call me Aunt. I looked at Thunder and still, he didn’t dare say anything to our daughter.

“Come on, Shan and Marga, let’s just wait for them at the dining.” Dad knew what to do.

He called them to give us privacy. Thunder was left with us. Ava looked at me with a worried look. Her eyes are asking me why he is acting like that. I thought this would be easier.

“Thunder, she’s your daughter. If you’re doubting, look at her face properly.” His eyes looked at me and Ava.

“Don’t talk like that in front of her. I can feel she’s mine, but why didn’t you tell me?” Ava gasped.

I bent down and caressed her face. I never told him that I hid her from them. I just didn’t want her to hate me for doing that.

“I am sorry, dear. You’re still young to understand. I did for a reason.” I sighed.

THUNDER’S POV

It’s not that I am surprised that I have another daughter. I don’t doubt that Ava isn’t my daughter, because she looks like me. I knew she had a right to hide her from me, because I cheated on her, but I still have the right to know about her.

“Let’s talk about it later on. I’ll just talk to my daughter.” Ava and Mia are both surprised.

Their eyes meant something. I didn’t know what to feel. I was mad at her, but when I saw Ava, she lifted my anger. Mia gave us space. I knelt and looked at my carbon copy. I can’t help but smile.

“Hi, Ava. I am your dad. Aren’t you mad at me?” I want to make sure how she feels.

I was surprised she hugged me and inserted her face on my neck. I looked at Mia who was about to cry. She turned her back.

“I am not mad at you, daddy! I am happier because I finally met you! Mom always says you were busy.” I felt so bad for her.

This is Mia’s fault. Ava deserved to know about me seven years ago, but because of Mia’s selfishness, we weren’t close.

“Don’t worry, baby. Daddy will catch things up with you. I promise. I will play with you every single time.” for her to feel happy.

I heard her giggle. She loosened her hug and looked at me. Her blue eyes, which are the same as mine, mesmerized me.

“Daddy? Is she, my sister?” we were shocked when Shantalle was standing in front of us.

Mia held Ava’s hands. I stood up and walked toward her. Looking at Shantalle, she isn’t happy about having another sister.

“Yes, baby, Ava is your sister. You should play with her.” I fixed her clip.

I was surprised when she slapped my hand.

“What?! No! I don’t want her to be my sister! No way! Mommy!” She ran out.