Chapter 2 Letting go

It shattered Zenab's heart to think that her own daughter no longer referred to her as "Mommy." These days, she was merely known as "her," as if reduced to the status of a servant in her own family.

Dave's eyes softened as he looked at their daughter, Emerald. "Go to my room, honey. I'll be there soon, and then we can leave," he said tenderly.

Their shared love for Emerald was the only common ground left between Zenab and Dave. Emerald was the perfect blend of both parents, with her reddish-brown hair—a heritage of Zenab's red locks mixed with Dave's brown—and his deep, obsidian eyes.

"Are we going to Mommy Miles? I love staying with her," Emerald said, her voice bubbling with excitement. Each mention of Miles as "mommy" pierced Zenab's heart a little deeper.

Emerald hadn't referred to Zenab as her mother for months. She hadn't spoken to her or allowed Zenab near. Zenab's own daughter now favored another woman over her. Just like Dave, Emerald seemed to want nothing to do with Zenab.

"Yes, now go so I can finish up here," Dave instructed Emerald gently.

Emerald beamed at Dave, then cast Zenab a scornful glance before exiting the room.

"What were you doing in her room?" Dave asked, his earlier gentleness turning to hostility.

Zenab stood and sighed. "She's my daughter, Dave. I wanted to be near her."

But Zenab couldn't even approach Emerald without her screaming or demanding she stay away. The affection Emerald once had for Zenab seemed redirected entirely to Miles after Dave introduced them.

Zenab silently cursed Miles, the woman she so deeply resented.

"She doesn't want you near her. Get that through your thick head!" Dave's words cut deep, but Zenab was thinking only of her daughter.

"That's because you allowed that woman to brainwash her. If you think I'll let someone else raise my daughter, you're sorely mistaken," Zenab replied, seething with disdain.

She didn't see the blow coming. One moment she was standing, glaring at him, and the next she found herself on the floor. Her world spun violently, and her ears rang from the impact.

"Let that be the last time you speak about the woman I love that way," Dave snarled, his voice icy with rage. He looked at Zenab with utter contempt before turning away and spitting on the floor beside her. He left the room without another glance, and minutes later, Zenab heard them leave.

Sitting on the floor, tears streamed down her cheeks, her left cheek stinging painfully. She knew it would bruise.

How could he have done this? The same hands that had held her, wiped her tears, and caressed her, had just struck her—all because of Miles.

.........

 Birthday party.

Zenab gazed apprehensively at the enormous house before her. The booming music spilled from somewhere outside, mingling with the gleeful screams of children enjoying themselves. It was Emerald's eighth birthday, and she hadn't even received an invitation. The realization hit her hard: she hadn't even known a party was planned. How pathetic was that?

She had called Dave earlier, seeking guidance on planning something special. His angry response still echoed in her mind—Miles had everything under control, and she shouldn't bother coming because neither he nor Emerald wanted her there.

Zenab had always been the one to organize Emerald's birthday parties, hosting them at their home. But this year, the celebration was taking place at Miles's house. It turned out that Emerald had asked Miles to take charge, claiming that Zenab didn't plan parties the way she liked. They were always boring and unattractive, and Emerald hated them.

The sting of that revelation cut deep. It felt hurtful to know that Emerald had never appreciated Zenab's efforts, that her hard work had gone unnoticed, overshadowed by disappointment.

A sigh escaped Zenab as she realized that Miles had effectively undermined everything she had ever done. It felt as though all her efforts were nothing more than squashed bugs beneath someone else's heel.

Why did it still hurt? Months had passed since Miles returned to their lives, and Zenab should have adjusted to this new reality. Yet, she found herself still clinging on.

"You can do this, Zen," her inner wolf, Red, encouraged softly as Zenab steeled herself for the walk toward the house—one where she felt entirely unwelcome.

"This is our pup's party, and we shouldn't miss it," Red reminded her gently.

If she thought the pain Dave had inflicted was unbearable, she had underestimated just how much this would tear her apart. The realization that neither Emerald nor Dave wanted her there on the very day she had given birth to her daughter wound its way through her, turning her initial anger into profound hurt.

Pushing those thoughts aside, Zenab took a step forward. The door was open, so she stepped inside, her breath caught in awe. Everything was stunning; Miles had truly done an exceptional job. It felt like stepping into a fairy tale.

Following the vibrant sounds of music, she made her way to the backyard. The lush lawn had been transformed into a vision of beauty. Pink and white flowers blanketed the ground, and tables adorned with glitzy gold tablecloths sparkled in the light. Each table was accompanied by four chairs draped in white satin, tied elegantly with gold ribbons. The entire scene exuded opulence, a stark reminder of why Emerald loathed her own parties.

A wave of self-doubt washed over Zenab as she realized that none of her efforts had ever been good enough for Emerald.

"What are you doing here?!" Emerald's shout jolted Zenab from her thoughts. She turned to see her daughter glaring at her, filled with anger and disgust. It was as if Zenab's mere presence threatened to ruin the day for her. The shout drew the attention of the gathered guests, both human and wolf.

Unable to find her voice, Zenab stared back, confused by the sudden change in Emerald's demeanor. Why did her daughter suddenly hate her? Had she done something wrong? Had she said the wrong thing?

"I don't want you here. Leave and don't ever come back!" Emerald screamed, her fists clenched tightly.

"Honey, I came to bring you your gift," Zenab replied gently, her voice trembling as she fought back tears.

She was genuinely trying. The last thing she needed was to become the center of gossip in their community. Through their bond, she could sense the pity from their packmates, and she knew that most of them disagreed with Dave's actions. But she didn't want their pity; all she wanted was her family back.

As Emerald reached out to take the gift, Zenab felt a flicker of relief, ready to smile at her. Yet, her daughter did something Zenab had never anticipated.

Zenab watched in disbelief as Emerald hurled the gift to the floor, stomping on it with fury and shattering the doll she had lovingly bought. The broken doll mirrored her shattered heart perfectly, crushed beneath her daughter's foot just as her feelings had been.

"I told you I don't want you here, and I don't want your stupid, ugly present!" Emerald snapped, her body trembling with raw anger and hatred.

How had it come to this? What did Miles have that Zenab lacked? What was it about her that had won the family's love while Zenab faced their disdain? All she ever did was love them wholeheartedly, giving them everything—her best, her all. She had tried to be the perfect mate and wife, the ideal mother. Yet, it seemed none of that mattered, as Miles had easily taken her place in their hearts.

"Ems..." Zenab choked out her daughter's name, the pain and tears constricting her throat.

Emerald interrupted her, shouting, "No! I hate you, and Daddy hates you too! We don't want you here! Daddy is going to marry Mommy Miles, but you won't let them because you're a bad, evil person. You're just jealous of her because she's prettier than you, and you're ugly! If you don't let Daddy be happy, I'll pray to the goddess to punish you and send you to hell!"

Zenab stumbled back as if struck by a physical blow. Not only did Emerald hate her so intensely that she wished her harm, but she also revealed that Dave planned to mate with Miles. How had this happened? How had she transformed from devoted mother to the villain in their story?