Chapter 1

"Mama, look! Santa Claus is angry!"

I laughed when Thalia pointed out the man dressed as Santa Claus and sitting on his big sleigh while taking pictures with the children.

The person behind the santa costume looks so tired that he is scolding the children while they're taking pictures with him.

"Baby, do you want to take a picture with Santa Claus?"

She shook her head. "I don't want."

"But why?"

"He's mean!" she laughingly said, and then pulled me towards the corner of the chocolates shelves. "Mama! Buy me this one, please!"

She made a cute face while hugging the big chocolate milk with peanuts. She even pouted which she always does whenever she really wants something.

I sighed. "Fine! But that's all you can take, okay? Don't get another one."

She gladly placed the chocolate inside my basket and continued walking. I smiled as I followed her.

Thalia is now three years old. For the past four years, even though I don't have a stable job, I was still able to give her what she needs, but not what she wants.

Even if I want to give Thalia everything in the world, I'm unable to do so because we don't have the privilege. But fortunately, she grew up being so understanding and not materialistic. I can only give her what I can, and that's enough for her.

"Don't wonder too far, baby."

"Yes, mommy!"

I stopped in front of the shelves with canned foods. I scanned the cans of corned beef and tuna, and decided to take two corned beefs and three canned tunas.

Thalia likes them so I couldn't help but smile as I looked at them. Christmas is coming. I plan to get a full, raw chicken to make her favorite meal.

"No, Rita! I don't like those!"

"But, Dianne, this is chocolate. Your favorite!"

"Well, I don't like chocolates with peanuts! Get me something else!"

From where I was standing, a young girl caught my attention. She was arguing with her nanny. I smiled when I saw her frowning but cute face. I think they are about the same age as Thalia.

I turned my gaze to where my daughter was standing, the smile on my lips were gone in a second as I noticed that she was no longer there.

"Baby?"

I quickly search for her everywhere. My knees got weak when I couldn't find her.

"Thalia, where are you? Baby?"

I feel as though I'm going to faint when I can't find her. I still remember when I was pregnant with Thalia, I almost lost her because of the stress I was going through.

I didn't do anything but cry after my separation with her father. So when I was taken to the hospital after collapsing and found out that she was weak, I did everything to get better. I tried to be happy and healthy so that she wouldn't suffer anymore.

By the grace of God, I was able to give birth to her without any problems. I fell in love with her the moment I saw her. My heart melted as I carried her in my arms.

I was alone in the hospital, and on Christmas eve, but I wasn't sad. In fact, I was the happiest person in the world while I was holding her. I promised to give her a beautiful and happy life.

I quickly approached a saleslady who was standing nearby. "Miss, have you seen a young girl? My daughter is missing. She is wearing a yellow summer dress, and she has a brown and long curly hair?"

She paused for a while and think. "I seem to have noticed a girl with those description."

She looked around for a moment and seemed to be looking for someone.

"Oh, there she is! Is that your daughter?"

I turned towards where she was pointing. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw Thalia. I was about to go to her but I immediately stopped when I noticed the man she was talking to.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" The man was kneeling with one leg on the floor and was looking intently at my daughter's face.

"I'm not hurt, but next time, watch where you're going, okay, mister?"

The man laughed at what Thalia said. He nodded with a smile. "Yes, little miss! Are you here with anyone?"

"Yes! I'm with my mom!"

"Really? Where's your mom then?"

"She's here somewhere, buying foods for Christmas!" Thalia smiled before leaning over to point at his hair. "Look! We're the same. My hair is also curly!"

"You're right! And you have a very beautiful hair! What's your name, sweetheart?"

"Thalia! How about you?"

"I'm Dylan, nice meeting you."

I quickly hid behind a shelf when I saw his eyes scanning the sorroundings. My heart was pounding wildly as I shook my head. "He can't find out about Thalia."

"Where's your mom, sweetheart? Come on, I'll take you to her."

I put my hand on my chest. What should I do? I peeked again to see them, Dylan was already holding my daughter's hand. But before they could even take a step, the girl I saw earlier arguing with her nanny showed up.

"Daddy! I wanna go home!"

I was stunned when I heard what the young girl called Dylan. Daddy. That means, she is his daughter with Dayana.

"Did you got all the things you need?"

"Yes!" she answered and crossed her arms over her chest. "Who is she, daddy? Why are you talking to a stranger? You said it's dangerous to talk to someone you don't know!"

Dylan laughed before taking his daughter by the hand and pulling her closer to Thalia.

"She's not a stranger, sweety. She's Thalia." He face my daughter and smiled. "Thalia, this is my daughter, Dianne."

Thalia smiled and extend her hand. But instead of taking it, Dianne didn't pay attention to her and pulled her father's hand instead. "Let's go, daddy! I wanna go home!"

Dylan didn't want to leave yet, but he couldn't do anything when Dianne insisted. I breathed a sigh of relief when Thalia came running back. I quickly blocked her way to stop her.

"Mommy!"

"Where did you go? I was so worried!" I knelt down and quickly hugged her.

She was about to answer my question, but I picked her up to get out of there.

We needed to hide while paying at the counter. Dylan must not know about Thalia. Not now that I already accepted everything.

Knowing him, I know he will take my daughter away from me when he finds out the truth.