After being 13

**13**

I knew Noah had been posting videos on social media, but I’d never watched them. It was New Year’s Eve today. During the day, Noah, Daisy, and I went to the market.

There were too many people, and in a moment of inattention, Daisy slipped from my hand.

Noah and I broke into a sweat, calling and shouting for her, and even called the police.

Suddenly, a sweet, soft voice called from behind, “Mommy-” I turned around to see a teenager in a black windbreaker and sunglasses holding Daisy’s hand. Another teenager stood beside him.

My entire attention was on Daisy, and Noah and I sprinted towards them.

I scooped Daisy into my arms, my voice trembling. “Were you scared, Daisy? No, no, Mommy’s here…” Noah rushed over and hugged us both, quietly comforting my agitated self.

Suddenly, an almost imperceptible “Mommy” floated down from above my head. My body stiffened, as if struck by lightning. I looked up. The teenager had removed his sunglasses. It was Caleb, grown up.

After a moment of shock, I composed myself, pulling Noah and Daisy closer, and thanked the two boys. As we were about to leave, a hand grabbed mine.

16:23 Thu, 12 Jun

“Mom!”

His grip was so strong it hurt. “Mom! You’re here! You’re really here!”

“Why did you abandon us? You abandoned Dad, fine, but why did you abandon me…”

The more he spoke, the more aggrieved he sounded, but I pulled my

hand

away.

“You’ve got the wrong person. I only have one child.”

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I hugged Daisy tighter. Noah put an arm around my shoulder, glancing back at the distraught teenager. But Noah never asked me anything about it.

That night during our New Year’s Eve dinner, I kept feeling like someone was watching us from downstairs. Noah and I had bought a small, cozy house.

When I left Grandview City, the one thing I had plenty of was money. I cooked a table full

of dishes.

Noah and Daisy played together, their laughter echoing through the house. When Daisy got tired of playing, Noah put on cartoons for her and came into the kitchen to help me. The moment he entered the kitchen, I thought I saw a shadow move among the trees

outside.

Noah steamed a fish, and as he turned, he kissed my cheek.

I smiled at him and kissed the corner of his mouth. I thought I heard the sound of a tree

branch breaking outside the window.

The kitchen didn’t have curtains, so I couldn’t stop Julian and Caleb from trying to peek

When the three of us sat down, Noah picked up his professional camera to record.

This time, I was in the shot. His followers went wild in the comments below:

“Sister–in–law is so beautiful!”

16:23 Thu, 12 Jun

“The blogger married so well, sister–in–law is capable, beautiful, and makes money.”

“Daisy is so cute, this family of three is perfect!”

Some people also posted jealous comments. We happily ate dinner, took many photos and videos, and counted down with the New Year’s countdown, welcoming the next year.

As for them outside the window, I didn’t know if they had left or not.

The next day, our doorbell rang. I knew who it was, but I didn’t want to see them.

Noah was washing dishes and shouted towards the door, “Sorry, we’re not receiving visitors today!”

There was silence outside for a moment, then furious banging started. Daisy woke up,

crying.

I told Noah to go check on Daisy and went to the door myself. As I opened a crack, the

person outside impatiently yanked the door open.

“Mia!” His voice was anxious, his face alight with excitement, the excitement of a

long–awaited reunion. My face was cold. “I’m not Mia. Sir, you’ve mistaken me for someone

else.”

Julian hadn’t expected me to be so resolute. He stood frozen. Behind him was Caleb. He

was tentative, not as agitated as yesterday. “Mom, do you really not want me anymore?”

“I did a lot of things that hurt you before… I was confused…”

“Celeste kept coaxing me, telling me that if I said those things, you’d let go.”

“I… I thought you loved me so much, you’d definitely forgive me…”

The air grew silent. I listened quietly. After six years, hearing that woman’s name again didn’t even stir anger in me.

The ones to blame were the two men in front of me, who had given her every opportunity to hurt me. I lowered my gaze. “I don’t understand what you’re saying. You’ve really

mistaken me for someone else.”

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mistaken me for someone else.“*

Just then, Noah, having comforted Daisy, came and stood behind me. Julian looked at them both and suddenly asked with a strange calmness, “You got married again?”

“Yes.”

“Is this your daughter?”

“Yes.”

“How old is she?”

“Three years old.

Julian’s

gaze softened even more as he looked at Daisy. “Mia, she really looks exactly like you when you were little.”

I sneered. “You still remember when I was little?”

His eyes softened, and he looked like Jules, the older boy from my childhood. “Of course. Every move, every smile, every frown of Mia’s, I dare not forget.”

I reached out to push him, wanting him to stay away from Daisy. But he grabbed my wrist, his grip like a vise. “But how could you marry again?!”

Julian’s eyes were slightly red, and a storm brewed within them, threatening to consume

“Mia, how could you abandon me?!” He took a step forward, and the vase by the door shattered at his rough movement. Daisy started crying again, frightened.

“Where did he touch you last night?!”

I slapped him with my other hand. “Julian, snap out of it!”

He bit his own lip until it bled, his eyes fixed on me. “You are my wife.”

I picked up a piece of the shattered vase from the floor and quietly pressed it against my

neck. “Step back.”

Julian looked as if he was scared, his face suddenly paling. “Calm down, Mia, I won’t hurt

you…

I looked at his raging appearance and seemingly deep, affectionate eyes, and only felt

amused.

Seeing him frantic, I only felt powerless. After six years, he still didn’t understand why I chose to leave. The other teenager I saw at the market yesterday must be his other child.