Twelve years. That's a long time for someone to disappear from someone else's life. But Carol returns not as William's little friend, but a real threat that destroys everything.

She came on my daughter's birthday, which should have been a happy occasion for my family. With an innocent face, she stood there, carrying her daughter and looking at me with a meaningful gaze. I knew what she had in mind, for she had warned me before-she would snatch William, my husband.

I thought her threats were empty words. I thought my marriage was strong enough to survive. However, I was wrong. William explained everything. William clarified my position and Laura's in his heart. As my daughter and I struggled at the brink of death, William made a choice that I will never forgive. He ignored his flesh and blood in crisis and instead reached out to Carol's child, who was not his.

***

Chapter 1

I should have been happy that the event was going well. My daughter also seemed delighted that I held it in a beautifully decorated building. However, there was anxiety in my heart that I couldn't explain because I hadn't been by our side before.

I stood in the corner of the room, watching Laura laughing with her friends. The pink dress I'd picked for her fluttered as she jumped around happily. Tonight was supposed to celebrate her tenth birthday, which she should remember as her happiest day.

"Mummy, look, I can blow out all the candles in one go!" Laura exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with pride.

I smiled and clapped, even though my heart was heavy. "Of course, dear. I'm so proud of you."

In the distance, I saw William coming, not alone. His hand was holding a little girl. He led her with great care, and the smile on his face was so gentle. Then, next to him, Carol, William's old friend in a black dress, walked over with her arm around my husband.

If everyone didn't know I was William's wife, they would probably all think Carol was his wife.

"Laura, this is Priska. You can be friends, right?" he said, introducing his daughter Carol as he squatted in front of our daughter.

Laura gave Priska a confused look, then glanced at me. There was something in her eyes that I couldn't quite decipher-whether it was confusion, disappointment, or perhaps insecurity.

"Papa, why did you bring her here?" Laura's voice was small and hesitant.

William rubbed Laura's head with a small smile. "From now on, you'll be best friends, just like Papa and Carol. By the way, I have to bring the gift I left at home. I'll be gone for a while, okay? You guys play first."

William left immediately, not explaining anything to me, as if Carol's presence was my wish, even though I deliberately did not invite her.

My heart was getting more and more uncomfortable. But before I could speak, Carol approached, her lips curved in a smile that made me sick.

Carol was William's childhood friend. They grew up together, sharing many memories that only the two knew. Back then, they were almost a couple, but life took them down different paths- I ended up marrying William while Carol married someone else. However, I know Carol never really let William go. After her marriage fell apart, she came back with a clear purpose.

"You know, Katty," she said dismissively, "William and I can be together after all these years. We were meant to have each other. It's just that fate separated us first. Now, he can be the husband he was meant to be for me and a father to Priska."

I felt my blood boil, but before I could answer, the sound of an explosion was heard. Flames suddenly leaped from the kitchen, quickly spreading to the ceiling.

Screams echoed throughout the room. Chaos blurred the view and spread panic among the guests and staff.

"Laura!"

I ran through the panicked crowd, looking for my daughter's small figure. Amidst the rush of people running, I saw her standing frozen with frightened eyes. Laura's tears broke free in torrents.

"Laura! Run to Mama!" I shouted, trying to get closer to her, even though the flames seemed to be licking my body.

I was finally able to get to Laura and hugged her tightly. Trying to calm her down even though my heart was also filled with very real fear.

The heat of the fire began to creep into our bodies. Laura was weak, and her breathing was interrupted by the smoke. I panicked, but my anxiety was replaced when I saw William running from the entrance.

Laura and I reached out, but I had to swallow a pill of disappointment. In the corner of my eye, I saw something that broke my heart more than a raging fire.

William was indeed running, but not towards us. Not towards his daughter. He ran towards Carol and Priska, helping them first.

I saw him lift Priska in his arms, then clasp Carol's hand. She glanced at us only once, then said, "I have to get the traumatized Priska out of here first!"

Laura sobbed. "Papa, it's so hot. Help me!"

But William had already passed.

The ceiling of the burning restaurant collapsed, sparks striking Laura. I screamed, grabbing her body and shielding her with mine. The heat burned my skin, but I didn't care.

When I thought it was over, someone pulled us out of the flames. It was another firefighter I didn't recognize.

He attentively inquired about our condition and led us straight to the ambulance.

My daughter winced every time her body was touched; I, who had the same severe injuries, didn't feel anything; I just wanted Laura to be okay.

"Where's Papa? I want to see Papa," Laura said in a weak voice.

What should I explain? William wasn't here. He was busy watching other people's children.

The night sky looked dark as if what had happened. The ambulance sirens wailed through the air, clashing with the sound of my daughter's soft cries in my arms. Her body felt so weak, ever. Every she took sounded heavy, and her small fingers gripped my shirt with what little strength she had left.

"Mama..." Laura whispered, her voice barely audible amidst the noise of the moving vehicles. "Why is Papa going with them? He's coming, right?"

My throat felt constricted. I wanted to try to calm her down by telling her that William was on his way, that he would come soon and hold her close. But I couldn't. I could only stare at the screen of my cell phone, which kept bringing up missed calls. William didn't answer. What was he doing to two completely unharmed people?

I could see Carol pulling Priska and them taking cover near Laura's birthday cake table. Nothing was burning any part of their bodies. How can William be blind and think they should be saved first?

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I swallowed them whole. I can't cry in front of Laura. I have to be strong for her. She mustn't think about her father's arrogant behavior.

"Papa will come, dear. You have to be strong, okay?" I kissed her cold, sweaty forehead, hoping she wouldn't see the lie in my voice.

The ambulance stopped with a loud thud in front of the hospital. Several nurses and doctors rushed over, pushing the makeshift bed into the emergency room. I stayed by Laura's side, clutching her increasingly cold hand.

"The patient has serious burns! Prepare for intensive care immediately!" one of the doctors called out, making my panic rise even more.

"Please save my daughter!" I pleaded, almost kneeling before them.

A nurse gently pulled me back. "We'll do our best. Please wait outside."

I staggered back, not knowing what to do. It felt like the world was collapsing before me.

"Katty!”

The familiar voice made me turn my head. My friend, Livia, ran towards me with a panicked look. She embraced me in a tight hug as soon as she reached me.

"I heard about the fire. I came straight here," she said in a hoarse voice. "How is Laura?"

I shook my head, my tears finally falling unbidden. "She's critical, Livia. I don't know what to do. I've tried to contact William, but he's not answering..."

Livia swore softly. "Doesn't he know how Laura is? Where is he now?"

I bit my lip, trying to call him again. This time, the line finally connected after what seemed like an eternity.

"William!" I almost shouted, my chest tight with anger and sadness. "Where are you? Laura needs you now! She's been looking for you!"

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, then William's voice rang out. "I can't leave yet. Carol and Priska are still in shock. Priska has been crying since earlier, and she's traumatized by the fire. I need to be here to calm her down."

I was stunned. "Did you hear what I just said? Laura is critical! You have to come now to support her, and she's in the emergency room. Our child needs us now. Please come with us!”

Instead of panicking or rushing over, William let out an annoyed sigh. "Katty, all of this also happened because of your negligence! You chose the place of celebration without first checking safety. If you had been more careful, none of this would have happened!"

I almost dropped my phone. "Are you seriously blaming me now? My daughter is dying, and you're defending Carol and Priska?"

"Carol has no one but me," William continued, his voice full of defense. "I can't just leave them. Especially Priska, who has no father figure; she was so scared and screamed when I wanted to leave the infirmary!"

I heard a child's voice from the other side of the phone. "Papa, don't go... Let Priska sleep..." Priska's voice sounded full of fear.

Then Carol's voice followed. "William, please don't leave us. We need you here."

"Is she in critical condition? Is he wailing in pain like Laura?" I asked in a voice that I almost swallowed again because it hurt so much.

William's gasp sounded so piercing to my ears. “What good are you as a mother if you can't care for your daughter? You have a lot to learn from Carol to raise a child alone. I won't come tonight; tell Laura I'll be with her tomorrow and bring her a present.”

My eyes widened in anger. My hands gripped the phone so tightly that my knuckles turned white. I could feel my blood boiling.

"William, let's get a divorce!"

Without waiting for his reply, I turned off the phone. I couldn't bear to hear one more word from William. I was also sick of hearing Carol and her daughter's spoiled squeaks.

Carol had become a thorn in our household, making William a monster to Laura.

William was testing my already exhausted patience. I had no idea that my daughter's life was no longer precious to him.

Looking back at the emergency room, I saw doctors and nurses running around. One of them was shouting.

"The patient is in cardiac arrest! Take emergency measures immediately!"

My world collapsed instantly. I ran, but someone held me back. "Please let me in! Laura! My child!"

But the door to the Emergency room closed in front of me, leaving me standing in the eerie darkness while the sound of the monitors rang loudly as if they were death knells ready to take away half of my soul.

A nurse came out and approached me; from the look on her face, I could guess what news she had to say.

"Come with me inside."

I stared blankly at the monitor screen that showed a straight line. The machine's sound was monotonous, almost mocking me. No, it doesn't. This isn't real. My Laura is still here. She didn't leave. No way.

"Mrs. Katty..." The doctor's voice sounded so far away. I turned my head shakily. "We did our best, but..." Her sentence hung in the air, shattering all my hopes.

I ran to the side of the bed. Laura's body was still warm; her face looked calm like she had just fallen asleep. I held her hand tightly, hoping for a miracle, hoping she would open her eyes and smile at me.

"Laura, sweetheart. Mommy's here. Open your eyes, child. Please." My voice trembled, full of desperation.

Livia tried to calm me down, but I couldn't contain my pain. The nurses looked at me with compassion. One of them touched my shoulder, trying to pull me away from the increasingly painful reality. I brushed it away roughly. "Don't touch me! Could you bring her back? You have to save her!" I screamed, but they were silent.

I screamed, shouting for God, for anyone who could bring my daughter back. My knees buckled, and I fell to the floor, my hands gripping the sheets of Laura's bed tightly. The world seemed to collapse on me. Everything was dark.

When I came to, my body felt weak. Livia was holding my hand. I was still in the hospital, and a doctor approached. "Mrs. Katty, we've prepared Laura to be taken home. Our condolences."

I walked slowly, my legs feeling so heavy. All the funeral preparations were done by hand. I chose the best dress for Laura, the white dress she always loved. I wanted her to go gracefully, like the little angel always smiling brightly.

Everyone who knew Laura came, offering condolences that made me want to scream against the words even more. I wanted my daughter back. She was my only treasure.

My cell phone vibrates on the table. William's name was on the screen. I picked it up with a cold voice. "Your daughter is waiting until twelve. Come if you still have a heart."

I hung up without waiting for a response. I didn't care. I just wanted him to know how much this loss hurt.

All too soon, I decided to have a cremation. Laura's ashes were already in my hands. Her body, her laughter, and her hope had become ashes so light in my hands but so heavy in my heart.

My phone screen lit up. A photo appeared on it. William smiles and gives Priska a pink gift box.

My hand shook. It feels like I've been slapped so hard, and shortly after, another message arrived.

"You'd better give up because William will still choose me over you." Carol.

I dialed William's number, my fingers almost breaking from the tight grip. When he answered, I asked, my voice calm yet poisonous. "Is the gift ready? Laura is still waiting.”

William sounded hurried. "The gift was burnt at the scene. I'm looking for a new one. Wait a little longer."

I smiled sadly, staring at Laura's ashes in my hand. "Laura is waiting for her gift in our backyard, among the roses."

I hung up the phone, letting the silence answer everything.

I stared at the soil in the back garden, trying to dig without anyone's help. The house was silent, just Laura and me.

My tears fell, and at the same time, I heard the sound of footsteps that stopped right behind me.

"What the hell are you doing? Where's Laura? I've brought her a birthday gift.”

I tightly grip the small shovel, digging the soil in my backyard. In front of me, pink roses bloomed beautifully, just like Laura had always loved. That's where I wanted to plant the small urn with her ashes. I didn't want Laura to be alone.

William's presence disturbed me.

"What are you doing?" William's voice sounded sharp, filled with anger and contempt.

I remained silent, suppressed my feelings, and kept digging. However, he was not satisfied with my silence.

"You're teaching a child to do dirty gardening like this again? No wonder Laura didn't grow up to be a graceful princess! She should have been like Priska, who was well educated by Carol," he continued mockingly.