“What a pretty doll. Is this … from Papa? Papa was here?” Felly asked.Kimberly shook her head so fast that her bangs moved with it. Her expression was grim when her father was mentioned. She regained her smile as she tightened her grip on the pink and blue pony doll. “No, Mama. This is Uncle Ryan’s gift. It’s from Uncle Ryan!” she exclaimed excitedly. Felly could not hide her surprise. “Uncle Ryan?”“Mhm! Oh, that’s him!”Felly’s hazel eyes turned in the direction her daughter pointed. There he was, a man in a gray suit, approaching them with a smile. “Kimmy, have you said thank you to Uncle Ryan?”“Of course, Mama.”“Good girl.” Felly smiled caressing Kimberly’s cheeks. “Now, go keep Aunty Sarah company, alright? She’s alone right now. I want to talk to Uncle Ryan.”“Okay, Mama!”After squealing out the reply, Kimberly ran into the café while hugging her new doll. It was as if she was afraid someone might snatch the doll from her.Felly stood there, staring at Kimberly’s back as s
Ryan snatched a piece of tissue and gave it to her. Archer was standing near their table with a cold expression, and it did not slip from his attention.“Can’t your question wait until I finish my drink, at least?” Felly grumbled. She dabbed her damp clothes with the tissue from Ryan. “Oh. You must be Felly’s husband.” Ryan stood up. He smiled, extending his hand to shake Archer’s. He tried to be polite to Felly’s husband. “Hello, my name’s Ryan,” he said calmly.Archer turned his gaze from Felly to Ryan’s hand. He looked away as if Ryan were not there with them.Ryan smiled slightly. He noticed Archer’s reluctance, then withdrew his hand and shoved it into his pocket. “We’re just having lunch. I came here alone, and we had no appointment beforehand,” Ryan explained. He hoped Archer would not misread the situation they were in. Although Archer’s expression looked flat, Ryan knew the emotions that were hidden behind those darkened eyes. “I didn’t ask you anything, Mister Ryan.” Arche
Felly shook her head. She smiled ironically when Archer accused her of such a painful accusation. Her heart ached to hear his words. It was as if she was a bad mother for Kimberly.“Yes. You’re right. I told Kimberly to beg for the doll to another man who will become her future stepfather.” Felly smirked seeing Archer’s expression grow grimmer and his eyes darken. “Isn’t that what you want to hear, Archer?”“Apparently, the woman my parents trust is a shameless woman.” Archer gritted his teeth, holding back his anger. “Yes, let’s just say I am shameless. So what? You never cared about my life anyway.”Felly feigned a sweet smile. Both of her hands were fisted and locked above her head. “Ah, right. I just remembered. If having lunch with my client is shameless, then what about your lover, Archer?” Felly blinked, making a feigned innocent face. “She knows you’re a married man, and she’s still seeing you?”Felly’s chuckle filled the room, echoing to every corner. Her laugh slowly turne
Archer was not sure what to feel when he heard Kimberly. There was a disappointment. His own daughter whom he had been raising, failed to see his effort to give her the best he could. On the other hand, there was a self-hatred. How could he forget what his daughter wanted? Now, she was disappointed in him.Archer sighed heavily while walking downstairs. He called Amy—their maid, who was cleaning a porcelain jar under the stairs. Amy immediately came to him. “Can I help you, sir?”“Prepare ice compress. Bring it to Felly’s room and help her …,” Archer trailed off as he thought to himself. He remembered Felly was naked under the cover, so he changed his mind. Just prepare the compress. I’ll do the rest.”Amy blinked. She was surprised by her employer’s unusual request. During her time working for them, this was the first time he made a request for Felly. Usually, Felly always did everything on her own, even when she was sick. “Okay, sir. I’ll prepare the ice.” Amy excused herself to th
Felly’s whole body was aching when she woke up. Her wrists were not as red as they were before. They did not hurt as much. That was strange, she thought. She remembered before falling asleep, her wrists were very red. Felly got off the bed. Her clothes were scattered on the floor before, but now she saw that they were tidily folded on the sofa. That could not be Archer’s doing, right?In the past, after Archer took what was his right, he always left Felly and her aching heart. After cleaning her body and changing clothes, Felly looked for Kimberly. But Kimberly was not in her room. “Zoe, where’s Kimmy?” Felly went to Zoe’s room in the back of the house. The room there was for their workers. “Oh? Kimmy was with Mr. Archer, Ma’am.”Felly was not surprised to hear that. “Where did they go?”“To Dan’s ice cream shop.”Felly nodded. She left the room and sighed heavily. Felly was never worried about Archer taking Kimberly anywhere. She knew Archer really loved their daughter.Unfortunat
“Mama! We’re going to see Aurora?”“Mhm.”“Uncle Aaron too? Uncle Aaron is home?!”“Yes, darling.“Yeay!”Kimberly’s squeals and giggles felt like a balm for Archer’s exhaustion. Just like in the past, Archer was never at peace in his own house. Every day felt suffocating for him. This luxurious house with all its facilities could not make his heart at peace. It was so different from Bella’s simple house. Even when he got angry at Bella’s mistake, she never talked back or cursed at him. Bella always obeyed him. Maybe that was what made him feel comfortable and always loved her. Archer pulled out his phone. He was just about to call Bella when the steps of high heels were heard going downstairs. It was followed by tiny footsteps running to him. “Papa! Am I pretty?” Kimberly giggled. She stared at Archer with gleaming eyes. Her iris was the same as her mother’s. They were hazel. Archer rose from the sofa. He cupped his daughter’s cheeks. “Yes, you are. My daughter always looks beaut
Archer immediately shut up. His jaw clenched as he stared back at Aaron with a sharp glare. Did Aaron find out about him and Bella? Did he also know something about what happened in Archer’s marriage with Felly?Archer was wondering to himself. His fists were clenching.“What do you mean?” Archer asked in an icy tone.The room was silent. Rosemary and Felly exchanged a look. Meanwhile, Axl was sipping his coffee calmly, as if he did not care about the tension between his sons. “I think you’d know where I’m going with this?” Aaron smirked. Aaron's question made Archer more sure. Aaron must have known something about Archer’s marriage. “You really went out of your way just to find out—”“Hahaha!” Aaron’s laugh echoed in the room. It was so sudden. He burst out laughing while holding his stomach.Everyone but Aaron was confused.“You’re laughing now? Something’s funny?” Archer hissed. He was annoyed.Aaron tried to stop his laugh. Gradually, his amusement subsided. He turned to Archer
“Felly, let’s go home. Now!”Archer’s deep voice startled Felly. She glanced at the watch on her left arm. “It’s eight. Why are we rushing?” Felly replied, looking up at his husband. She frowned when she noticed his darkened eyes. What was wrong? Was there something that had angered him?Felly wondered to herself. But in the end, she did not think she wanted to care. “The drive home takes a long time,” he replied.“Felly’s right.” Aaron finally chimed in. He scooted to turn to Archer. “Why the rush? We can only see the family every two weeks or even a month.”Archer let out a sharp exhale. “There’s a work thing I need to finish tonight.”“Oh. Then you go ahead. I can take Felly and Kimmy home later.”“No,” Archer tried to steady his tone. After all, they had two children present with them. “Kimmy goes to bed early. She can’t sleep late.”“Then let them stay the night. You should go home if you need to finish work. You guys usually stay the night, right?”Felly realized Archer’s face
And also, I … miss you.The sentence was stuck in Archer’s throat. Of course. He would never say the words. The direct expression of what he had felt for the past three days.In the past, Archer never missed Felly, even when he was gone for days or even weeks. He usually knew that Felly would always be home with their child. There was nothing for Archer to worry about.It was different for the past three days. After what he had done to his child and wife on the day of the family gathering, suddenly there was something aside from guilt. Maybe … loss? Archer had no clue. He really did not understand his own feelings.At that time, he did not know where Felly and Kimberly were. The divorce papers he received added to the complexity of the situation. It made Archer furious and confused at the same time.“Get away!” Felly hissed coldly while pushing Archer’s chest when the man was off guard. “I have to get out of—Ah!”Felly suddenly screamed when Archer pulled her waist to straddle him. "I
“Mama is about to go home, dear.”Felly clamped the phone between her ear and shoulder while packing up her things on the table.“Mhm. Oh? Aunty Nicole’s there? The two of them are there?” She frowned in wonder as to why Nicole—her little sister, was in Xavier’s new apartment.“Yup, I’m here. I had been planning to come over, because someone kept bragging about having a new apartment. What a pleasant surprise! My cute nephew is here too,” Nicole chimed in while chuckling.“Oh, Xavier! So, he told you that he had a new apartment, but didn’t say anything to me?” Felly clicked her tongue. She glanced at her watch. It was eight. “Where is he now?”“Xavier left. He said he was going to pick you up.”“I already told him I was going to take a taxi,” Felly grumbled. “Call him. Tell him to wait at Angel Bread. I want to buy some cake for Kimmy first.”“Okay. But don't just buy for Kimmy, what about me?" Nicole protested.Felly chuckled. She then said yes to Nicole's wishes before finally hangin
It had been three days since she met Cecilia. Her lawyer who immediately processed Felly's application. Then Felly immediately sent the divorce paper to Archer the next morning. In the brown envelope, there was not only the divorce paper. Felly also wrote a message.'Once signed, submit the files to this address.' Felly included Cecilia's office address in the message. The hazel-eyed woman took a deep breath while stroking the top of Kimberly's head who was still sleeping beside her this morning. She did not know if Archer had received the letter. Until that moment, Cecilia had not received it from Archer. "Mama, am I off school again today?" The hoarse voice of her daughter who had just woken up distracted Felly from her thoughts. She then smiled and nodded. "Yes, for now." "Why? I didn’t go yesterday, and the day before that.” Felly smiled and then picked Kimberly up to her lap. She was tidying up Kimberly’s long, messy hair. “All of your clothes and school supplies are at hom
“Mama, why can’t we go home?”Kimberly’s question snapped Felly out of her thoughts. She turned and smiled while stroking Kimberly’s cloudy face.During the family gathering this afternoon, Kimberly looked cheerful because she was carried away by the atmosphere. Especially since Xavier was with her. But after the event was over, the girl became gloomy again like a baby chick that had lost its mother.“Let’s stay here for a few days, okay? You’re fine with that, right, Kimmy?”“Does that mean we won’t see Papa?”Felly blinked. She tried hard not to curse the man in front of her innocent daughter. Felly was always angry every time she remembered the man who had repeatedly stabbed every corner of her heart.“Mhm. Papa has work, honey.” Felly lied for this one reason. “While Papa is working, we will stay at Uncle Xavier’s apartment. Is that okay?” she asked once more.“It’s okay.” Kimberly shook her head quickly, then pouted. “I don’t like Papa. I don’t want to see Papa!”Felly could only
Archer got back into the car and dialed Felly's number again. But for the thousandth time, Felly's phone was still off.Archer's heart would not stop beating fast. The beat was far above normal. Remorse stabbed his heart very deeply this time.Archer drove his home. The distance was quite far and the traffic was horrible this afternoon. It took Archer quite a long time to get home.He did not wait for the security guard to open the door as soon as the car stopped in the yard. Archer rushed inside because he wanted to meet Kimberly and apologize to her. Archer was very sure that the child would sulk and be disappointed. Her mother ... Archer took a deep breath as Felly's angry and hurt gaze flashed in his head."They haven't come home yet?" Archer asked Amy when he did not find whom he was looking for."Not yet, sir."Did they stop by somewhere first?Archer wondered to himself as he plopped to the living room sofa. He ran his fingers through his hair, not even caring about his face whi
Archer glanced at the watch on his left wrist. Five in the morning. He knew he had to go home soon to fulfill his promise to Kimberly.He had just woken up after sleeping on the sofa since four in the morning. Archer got up and grabbed the jacket lying on the single sofa.Archer would try his hardest to be with Kimberly all day. Aside from not wanting to disappoint his daughter again, he also knew that Kimberly was looking forward to this family gathering event.“I’m going home, Belle,” Archer muttered as he looked at Bella who was lying weakly in bed. Her face was pale after vomiting blood last night. Her hand had stiff fingers and her middle finger was shorter than the others. It was from that accident.“Archer, don’t go … please,” Bella whispered. It made Archer’s footsteps stop near the door.Archer turned around and walked back to the bed. “I have to be with Kimberly today, Belle. You can have a nurse accompany you for now, okay?” Archer said in a low voice. He closed his eyes for
“Mama, wake up. Let's go, what if we oversleep?" A gentle stroke on her cheek and a whisper in her ear, made Felly open her eyes. She found Kimberly already sitting on her and giggling to herself. "What time is it, dear?" "Five o'clock, Mama." "Oh my God ... it's still five o'clock, we won't oversleep, honey," Felly groaned while pinching Kimberly's cheek in annoyance. Kimberly's laughter echoed through the room that was still dimly lit by the night light. Felly smiled softly then stroked the top of her daughter's head. "You cannot wait, huh? You're rarely up so early." "I can't wait, Mama." The child made a circular motion in the air with both hands. "But where's Papa? Why isn't he here?" Felly cleared her throat. She sat up while hugging Kimberly. She knew Kimberly would ask that. It was unusual for this chubby-cheeked child to enter this room so early in the morning like this. "Papa went out earlier, honey," Felly lied. "Ooh? Where?" "Maybe ... to his office." "Oh ...."
“Mama!”Kimberly's scream surprised Archer. He shifted his gaze from Bella’s message on his phone screen to Felly who had just gotten out of the car. "Papa, put me down," Kimberly whined. "Oh? Okay." The girl immediately rushed into her mother's arms as soon as she got out of Archer's. Archer watched the two of them. His heart was suddenly in turmoil. He had mixed feelings when he saw how Kimberly laughed and Felly tried to look fine in front of their child. "Papa! Come on!" Kimberly exclaimed while waving her hand. "O-oh, yes." Archer came to his senses. He locked his phone and put it in his pocket. He then approached his family. Archer patiently sat Kimberly on her baby seat and put on the seat belt. Meanwhile, Felly was already sitting in the front seat. "Papa, I’m hungry," Kimberly whined. "Do you want to have lunch now?" "Mhm. I do." "Okay. Where do you want to eat?" “Um ….” Kimberly rubbed her chin, imitating Felly’s movement when she was thinking. “I want kimbab, Pap
Archer hurried to catch up with Felly, who had already walked quite far ahead of him.“Shit!” the man cursed when the elevator door that Felly was riding in closed. He did not get the chance to open the door. Archer punched the wall with a clenched fist. He then rubbed his face roughly. He was always in turmoil when dealing with his wife. He wanted to be angry, annoyed, and other emotions that were very difficult for Archer to describe in words. Archer himself was sometimes confused by what he was feeling.The elevator door finally opened. Archer rushed in and pressed the button to the lobby.When he arrived in the lobby, he saw Felly walking a little unsteadily while massaging her temples.Felly almost fell. Archer immediately ran to catch her. But his steps immediately stopped when he saw Ryan—who came out of nowhere. Ryan suddenly caught Felly who was about to fall by embracing her.Archer’s fingers slowly clenched.“Felly, what happened? Are you sick? Your face is pale.” Ryan obs