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Chapter – Kate
Days turned into weeks, and weeks melted into months, but Alex’s indifference toward Aria remained unchanged. He never showed her affection—never picked her up, never kissed her when he came home from work. His arms were always for Emma. He’d sweep her up and play with her like nothing else mattered.
Even Emma noticed.
“Why don’t you give kisses to Aria like you do to me?” she once asked innocently.
Alex looked uncomfortable, fumbling for an excuse he never really gave. He hadn’t stepped into Aria’s nursery even once. I sometimes doubted he even knew she had turned six months old—that she was growing more beautiful each day, with a smile so pure it could melt anyone’s heart. Anyone… except her father.
My fragile hope began to crack again. I was chasing something unac
