Remi typed:It’s urgent.
Remi closed her eyes, a mixture of dread and relief washing over her.
She set down the phone again and exhaled, her fingers tapping absently against the phone. Remi wasn’t sure what she would say first. The betrayal still burned in her chest like a fresh wound. Part of her wanted to scream, to demand an explanation, to hurl every emotion she’d bottled up since the truth had come to light. But another part of her—the calmer, steadier part—wanted to keep her composure. She deserved answers, but she wouldn’t let Bianca see her break.
She walked over to the window, peering out of it. The vines stretched for acres, kissed by early summer sunlight. This place had become her sanctuary, her place of peace. She refused to let the past steal that from her.
Behind her, Zoe’s voice called out. “Mom? Everything okay?” she asked softly, spoon paused in midair.
Remi turned to face her daughter, forcing a smile. “Yeah, baby. Just some things I need to take care of.”
Zoe watched her for a moment, then nodded slowly and went back to her cereal.
Mila looked up from her magazine. Remi could feel her eyes and knew that her curiosity was pressing.
“Is my mom coming back?” Mila finally asked.
“Yes,” Remi said. “Tonight, hopefully.”
Zoe came into the living room, slid onto the sofa. “Are you two fighting?”
Remi hesitated before answering. She wanted to be honest with the girls—something Bianca hadn’t been. “We’re … not in a good place.”
“Does it have something to do with Daddy?”
Remi took a deep breath. Zoe was more perceptive than she let on.
“Yeah,” Remi said, quietly. “It’s complicated.”
Zoe moved from the sofa, came closer, and hugged her mother. “I’m sorry, Mom.”
Remi held her daughter tightly, surprised by how muchsheneeded the embrace. “Me too, baby.”
The doorbell rang. Both of them froze. Remi looked at the clock on the wall in the kitchen. She moved to the door cautiously, opening it slowly. On the porch stood Leo—holding two takeout bags and wearing a smile.
“I brought lunch,” he said. “Didn’t think you’d have the energy to cook.”
Remi stared at him, stunned at first. Then she softly said, “You really didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to.” He held out the bag. “Thai food.”
She took it and stepped aside. “Come in.”
As Leo entered, Zoe grinned. “Hey, Leo.”
“Hey, superstar,” he said, giving her a fist bump.
“Have you met Mila?” Zoe asked. “She’s like family.”
Remi stepped in and explained, “Mila is Bianca’s daughter.”
Zoe’s words lingered in the air, like a quiet revelation.She’s like family. She had no idea just how much like family Mila truly was. The sentence struck Remi like a thunder bolt—panic surged through her chest, fast and unforgiving, like a freight train barreling through without brakes. She tried to steady her breathing, but the truth clawed its way up to her throat.
“Pleased to meet you, Mila.” Leo gave Mila a nod.
“Same,” said Mila.
Remi placed the food on the counter, still shaken by the weight of the evening—Bianca returning and the questions.