The Unveiled Rose

"Hey there, I'm Nigel's teacher. School's out, and he's still waiting to be picked up. None of his folks have shown up yet. Just checking in to see if everything's alright at home. Is there anything that might have caused a delay?"

The teacher's voice was polite and concerned.

Before the divorce, Luna used to be so on top of picking up Nigel, didn't she?

Now that I've only just split from Leander, Luna's suddenly out of the picture when it comes to Nigel.

I was taken aback, but then again...

They're not my circus, not my monkeys anymore. I've got no business poking my nose into their affairs.

"I'm actually Joyce's mom. I have no relation to Nigel," I replied with a light chuckle. "Looks like you've got the wrong number."

The teacher immediately apologized, "Oh, I'm so sorry for the mix-up."

"No worries at all," I said before hanging up.

Just as I stepped into the elevator, my phone rang again. It was Leander.

I answered casually.NôvelDrama.Org holds © this.

Leander sounded uneasy. "Hey, any chance you could pick up Nigel?"

Once smiling, my reflection in the elevator's mirrored wall turned indifferent. "I'm afraid not."

My voice, usually soft, was now icy. "Mr. Payne, it seems like you've forgotten. We're divorced. Unless it's absolutely urgent, please don't contact me." Leander was panicking. "I'm out shopping with Luna..."

"I'm not interested in your whereabouts," I cut him off coldly. "So, no need to explain."

"But Nigel's still at school. No one's there to pick him up," Leander rushed, fearing I'd hang up. "I can't leave right now, Amara. Please, do me this favor..." "No need to beg," I said firmly and hung up. "My answer is no."

Leander and his family were history to me.

If there was anything left to cherish... it would be the child that never came to be.

Beyond that, we had no connection whatsoever.

I found the private dining room number Reuben had sent me, turned the knob, and to my surprise, the room was pitch black.

Were they not here yet?

Just as I was about to call Reuben to ask what was up, the lights flickered on.

The room transformed into a scene from a dream filled with love.

Gorgeous flowers, heart-shaped balloons, and a child's scribble welcome sign for mom.

At the center was a table, and on it was a cake surrounded by roses.

Joyce's cheeks were pink, and she was holding a hefty bouquet. She saw me, leaped from her chair and scampered over.

The flowers seemed almost too heavy for her. But she beamed, her eyes squinting. "I'm so happy you're my mom!"

It felt like the first time someone had looked at me with such adoration...

I knelt down, accepting the flowers with gravity, and then hugged Joyce tightly. "I'm the lucky one to have you as my daughter."

Joyce, worried I might get hurt, hugged me gently. Her voice was soft and a bit shy. "Mom, our outfits match! Like mother and daughter."

I ruffled her hair. "I picked this outfit to match yours. Do you like it?"

Joyce looked up, her eyes sparkling. "I love it!"

Relieved, I smiled. "That's all that matters."

She snuggled closer. "Now, let's move on to the next part."

I let her go, and hand in hand, we approached the dining table.

The candles on the cake were already lit.