Chapter 1

As I pushed the door open, a shocking scene greeted me—the living room was brightly lit and filled with laughter and cheer. A round table was laden with a lavish Thanksgiving feast, the air heavy with the sweet aroma of pumpkin pie.

My heart sank, and a chill ran through my body. My husband, Ethan Parker, and his first love, Mandy Sanchez, sat side by side on the couch, cuddling intimately, their faces adorned with content smiles. Meanwhile, my mother-in-law, Janet Wright, sat across from them.

Janet was cradling Mandy's son, Timothy Blake. She was spoon-feeding him pumpkin puree, his little face covered in crumbs as he giggled. He looked just like Heidi did at that age.

I stared at the pumpkin pie and remembered Heidi, my daughter, and my heart instantly clenched. Immediately after, I felt my vision blurred, and I nearly fainted on the spot.

"Well, if it isn't Amelia! Why the long face on such a festive day?" Mandy caught me standing in the doorway, her voice dripping with mockery. She leaned further into Ethan's embrace as if staking her claim.

Ethan looked up, his face clouding with annoyance when he saw me. "Can't you at least try to look cheerful on Thanksgiving? Also, I've told you many times to be mindful of your appearance. Learn from Mandy, will you?"

My messy, mud-stained clothes were clearly out of place. Yet, he showed no concern, his eyes filled only with complaint and disgust.

I took a deep breath, struggling to control my emotions. I looked at them and asked coldly, "Ethan, where's Heidi?"

Janet, overhearing my question, patted Timothy in her arms. "You have some nerve asking that! That child of yours is just like you—ill-mannered and inconsiderate! Running off on Thanksgiving! Nothing like our sweet Timmy here..."

"Say that again!" I snapped, glaring at Janet. My voice was piercing and unfamiliar, catching everyone off guard. They had never seen me lose my composure like this before.

Ethan was the first to recover, jumping up from the couch and pointing at me in fury. "Amelia! Have you lost your mind? What's wrong with you?"

I ignored him, approaching Janet step by step, my gaze locked on the child in her arms.

"You have no right to speak of Heidi! None of you do!" I shouted, my voice growing louder with each word.

Anger surged in me, threatening to consume me whole.

Ethan was taken aback by my sudden outburst. He stared at me in disbelief, his eyes filled with disgust and anger.

He said indifferently, "Amelia, what are you trying to do? Look at yourself. Is this how a wife and mother should behave?"

My lips trembled as I spoke. "Mother? Do you have any idea what happened to Heidi..."

However, Mandy's soft, weak voice cut me off as she looked at Ethan with tear-filled eyes.

"Ethan, don't be mad. Amelia's probably just upset seeing me here. Maybe I should leave with the baby, so I don't upset her further..."

"Mandy, just stay. She's the one who should leave." Ethan stopped her without hesitation. Then, he turned to me angrily. "Amelia, are you done with this tantrum? Go somewhere and think about what you've done today. I'll deal with you later!"

"I..." I opened my mouth but found I had nothing left to say, no explanations to give.

I looked at Ethan hopelessly, realizing the man who once professed his love for me had turned into a stranger, cold and heartless.

Without another thought, I turned and dragged my heavy steps toward Heidi's room upstairs.

"Ethan, you should have listened to me and never married that woman! Look at her, acting like a madwoman, bringing shame to our family!"

"Mom, don't be upset! Let's enjoy the holiday with Mandy and ignore her!"

As I listened to their exchange, my heart was filled with despair. I stumbled into Heidi's room and collapsed onto her bed. Tears fell silently, soaking her pink bedsheet. The pain was unbearable, and I could feel it even in my bones.

The room still held Heidi's sweet scent, like candy. Yet, my world had lost all its sweetness.

I blamed myself for being weak.

If I had insisted on staying with Heidi instead of giving in, if I had not trusted Ethan so easily, Heidi would not have...

I covered my face as I cried; the pain was too much. Regret and self-blame nagged at me, and it was suffocating.

A soft thud broke the silence as something slipped from my hand and fell to the floor. I looked down to see Heidi's favorite doll lying there, its hollow eyes staring up at me, silently accusing the cruelty of fate.

My hands trembled as I picked up the doll, clutching it tightly. It was as if holding it close could somehow let me feel the warmth Heidi had left behind.

"What are you doing?" Ethan's impatient voice suddenly cut through my thoughts.