Chapter Sixty

Chapter Sixty
“Will you stand there staring at me till eternity? Say something, come on.”

She stood there in a silver bodycon dress that screamed designer. Her hair was let down freely and it danced graciously whenever she made a small move or a gesture. 

Her lips were painted a venomous red and her makeup was perfect, highlighting all her features. It must have been done by a professional, an expensive one at that. 

Her eyes scanned me progressively and continuously like I was a stain on her pure white wedding dress. 

I was too stunned to speak. I couldn't find my words or my voice. 

“I almost didn't recognize you,” she said again, desperately trying to get at me.

Her arms were crossed and she stood in a slant position, one leg slightly curled, the posture that bullies in high school usually assumed when they were ready to unleash their venom on their victim. 

I swallowed the lump rising in my throat and tried to say something even though it felt like I had become automatically dumb.

“Running a business and raising a child will do that, but I'm sure you cannot relate.”

“An illegitimate child or bastard you mean?” she said mockingly.

I swelled in anger. “Don't you ever, I repeat, don't you ever call my child that again in your miserable life.”

“How quaint, single mother.”

“Yes girl, call me a single mother, that's what I am after all, but at least I don't get rid of my babies like it's a routine job like some people here. 

“I bet you thought you ate with that. No girl, you didn't. I'd rather be childless than have a kid who has no idea who the father is. I would never!” 

I felt Hayley’s tiny hands wrap around my leg, making me calm a bit. I reached down and stroked her hair, grounding myself. 

I took a deep breath, ready to end the drama. It was never my intention to exchange words with her or anyone here but I was losing it already. I had to call myself to order before I would be thrown out of the mall. 

Also, my little daughter was watching me and I didn't want to create any traumatizing memories for her from this day.

“You win Sheena. Look, I'm not in the mood for any exchanges. If you don't mind, you can move on to fulfill your purpose of coming here while I continue with mine.” 

“Oh, but I am in the mood. She snapped.

“You know, I've been meaning to run into you some day to see how the mighty and high-minded May was doing after losing everything, but turns out the peasants don't have a common meeting point with the elites. I'm even amazed you could afford to shop in Aurora Galleria. You must have gathered your entire life savings before coming.” 

I blinked and laughed hysterically, clapping my hands as I did.

“You mean after getting on with my fiancé barely a day after our wedding was called off? The same wedding that you didn't allow to happen? Girl, I let you have him, I never for one day came around to fight you, so what's the fuss about?” 

Her smile faltered for a second. “I like how you play innocent. You always act like the victim, you always feel the need to create the impression that you're the most righteous person to walk the surface of this earth.”

“Back at school, you made everyone like you, you got the best grades, the best favours and offers, and even the best boyfriend, and you thought I was going to let you marry him and have the best life while I still struggle? Hell no! You always made me feel like I was just your shadow. Look here May, you deserve everything that happened and I hate you so much!” she thundered, her voice already higher than it was at the beginning. 

I couldn't believe the words I heard her speak. I knew she was evil but I never thought she'd be confidently articulate about it. 

“You were my best friend. Why then did you keep me in your life when you knew that you had my downfall mapped out? Why didn't you just leave me alone?” I asked with a low and defeated tone. 

“Your best friend, yet you treated me like a sidekick. I was always the helper and never the star. Well, guess what? Drew saw that. He saw how awful a person you were and so he picked me instead. Now guess who has his ring and his heart? Guess who’s about to be lawfully wedded to him?” she said, flaunting the engagement ring on her fingers. 

I laughed bitterly. “He saw someone easy, someone willing to betray her best friend for attention.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You think you’re better than me?”

“No,” I said, my voice low. “I think I’m stronger than you, because I didn’t need to destroy someone else to feel worthy.”

Her face twisted with anger. “You're so pathetic. You're still clinging to your little bakery and pity parties, hahaha. If you don't jerk off those fantasies and face your poor and sad reality, you'll die miserable.”

“And just in case no one told you, Drew and I are getting married before the year runs out and we’re so happy with each other. I know you can't boast of a good relationship; Well, who wants a single mom for keeps anyway?

“Good for you,” I said, turning back to the ribbons, already exhausted and fed up with the drama. “I hope he cheats on you with your maid of honor, then maybe you’ll understand.”

She lunged forward, grabbing my arm. “Don’t you dare pretend you’re the victim when you've probably done worse.”

I pulled my arm free and shot her a stare of disgust.

“Know your boundaries, ma'am, you have no right to lay hands on me, you don't want me to get you arrested for assault.”

Hayley whimpered, and I knelt beside her, brushing her cheek. For a minute I had forgotten she was still here, I was too consumed by the circumstance at hand. 

“It’s okay, baby. We’re almost done.”

Sheena looked down at her, eyes cold. I just knew she was trying to pick a fault but it was obvious that she couldn't. My Hayley was too perfect. 

“Is she even his?” she asked mindlessly. 

I stood up so fast that the ribbon rack rattled. “Don’t you ever speak about my daughter again. Keep her business out of your miserable mouth!”

I turned and walked away, Hayley’s hand in mine. My heart was pounding, but my steps were steady. I didn’t look back.

We finished our shopping in silence and as we left the mall, the carousel spun slowly, music tinkling through the air. I lifted Hayley onto a golden horse and watched her laugh, her joy untouched by the storm we’d just weathered.

I sat on a bench nearby, the shopping bags at my feet. The confrontation with Sheena replayed in my mind like a bad movie. Her words had cut deep, but they hadn’t broken me. Not this time, not ever.

I thought about the stranger who paid our bill last week and that small act of kindness reminded me again that the world wasn’t all betrayal and bitterness. There were still good people in it.

Hayley waved at me from the carousel, her smile radiant. I waved back, tears prickling my eyes.

She was my reason. My anchor. My light.

And her birthday would be perfect.

Back home, I tucked Hayley in for her nap and spread the shopping haul across the living room floor. I sorted decorations, made lists, and sketched out the party layout. There would be a garden setup, fairy lights, a dessert table with macarons and mini cupcakes, and a big cake which I'd decide on later. 

Sheena’s words echoed again. Is she even his?

I had never told Drew I was pregnant, as I never got the chance to, but I did tell his dad who tried to kill me by poisoning my food and that was the last I ever heard or got involved with him and his family. 

After the betrayal, I shut that chapter and locked it away. Hayley didn’t need a father who could betray so easily after all. She deserved better but I could not do anything about that so for now, I was determined to be the best thing to ever happen to her and that was enough.

I picked up my phone and opened my notes app.

Hayley’s Birthday Party Checklist:

• Dresses ✔️

• Shoes ✔️

• Decor ✔️

• Cake ingredients

• Guest list

• Photographer

• Carousel rental?

I smiled. It was coming together.

I wouldn’t let Sheena’s bitterness stain this joy. I wouldn’t let the past define me.

Hayley stirred in her crib, murmuring in her sleep. I walked over and brushed a curl from her forehead.

“You’re going to have the best birthday ever,” I whispered.

And I meant it.