When Talia had a fever, one phone call from Rebecca was all it took. He'd dropped us and walked out without a backward glance.
Then came the despair. Victor's cruelty knew no bounds. To force my hand so he could be with Rebecca openly, he'd cut off our household funds entirely.
But what could I do?
I'd refused to leave because I wanted Talia to have an intact family. But tonight, at that birthday dinner, Victor's words had slapped me awake.
A man who could use his own daughter as a bargaining chip to please his mistress—keeping him around would only cast an endless shadow over my child's life.
If he was so desperate to run to his true love, then fine. Let him go.
A dull ache throbbed in my chest, making it hard to breathe. I forced myself to stand, intending to check on Talia in the bedroom.
She'd cried so hard earlier. I was worried she might develop a fever overnight.
But before I reached the door, a heavy thud echoed from inside the room.
Like something had hit the floor.
My heart lurched. A terror I'd never known before seized my throat.
"Talia?"
I shoved the door open and flipped on the light.