Chapter 9. { New Beginnings, Old Wounds}
1164 Words
Melissa stood quietly at the bedroom window as Catherine’s car disappeared down the driveway.
The house felt… different.
Not because anyone had moved in yet.
But because everything seemed to be changing faster than she could keep up.
She rested her forehead against the cool glass.
“Mom… I hope I’m making the right decisions.”
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.
“Come in.”
Jason stepped inside carrying two mugs of hot chocolate.
Melissa smiled.
“You remembered.”
“Of course I did.”
He handed her one of the mugs before sitting beside her.
“When you were little, you believed hot chocolate could fix anything.”
She laughed softly.
“I also believed you could fight monsters.”
Jason chuckled.
“I wish I still could.”
The room fell silent.
Melissa leaned her head gently against his shoulder.
“Dad?”
“Hm?”
“Are you… happy?”
Jason looked out the window.
It took him a long time to answer.
“I don’t know.”
Melissa looked up at him.
“I just don’t want you to feel lonely anymore.”
His heart clenched.
“I’ll never be alone as long as I have you.”
She smiled.
“And you’ll always have me.”
Jason kissed the top of her head, blinking back tears.
“If only you knew…”
…
Saturday arrived sooner than Melissa expected.
The Anderson house was unusually lively.
Jason had been cleaning since sunrise.
Melissa laughed as she watched him struggle to carry a heavy box.
“You know I can help.”
“I know.”
“Then why won’t you let me?”
“Because…”
He grinned.
“I’m still trying to impress my daughter.”
She rolled her eyes playfully.
“You’ve already got the job.”
Before Jason could reply, the sound of a car pulling into the driveway echoed outside.
“They’re here.”
Melissa inhaled slowly.
“Okay…”
Jason squeezed her hand.
“You don’t have to force yourself.”
“I’m not.”
She gave him a reassuring smile.
“I’m doing this for us.”
…
The front door opened.
Catherine stepped inside first, dressed elegantly in a cream-colored dress with a warm smile that instantly brightened the room.
Behind her was a girl balancing two travel bags.
She looked about Melissa’s age.
She had long dark hair tied into a ponytail and curious hazel eyes.
The moment their eyes met…
The girl smiled.
“You must be Melissa.”
Melissa nodded politely.
“And you’re Isabella.”
Isabella laughed.
“So Dad talks about me?”
Melissa blinked before realizing what she’d said.
“I mean… my dad.”
“Oh.”
Isabella smiled.
“No worries.”
She stretched out her hand.
“It’s really nice to finally meet you.”
Melissa shook it.
“You too.”
Neither girl noticed the brief look Catherine exchanged with Jason.
…
An hour later…
The moving boxes had taken over the living room.
Melissa carried one upstairs.
“So…” Isabella said as they climbed the staircase.
“I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Melissa smiled.
“I hope only good things.”
“The best.”
Isabella looked around Melissa’s room after setting the box down.
“It’s beautiful.”
“Thanks.”
Her eyes wandered toward the bookshelf.
“You like reading?”
“I love it.”
“Me too!”
Within minutes…
The awkwardness disappeared.
They talked about music.
Favorite movies.
School.
Books.
Even embarrassing childhood stories.
Melissa found herself laughing.
Really laughing.
For the first time in months.
Downstairs, Jason heard the laughter and closed his eyes.
A faint smile spread across his face.
Emily would’ve loved this.
…
Catherine watched from the kitchen doorway.
She smiled as the girls laughed together.
Exactly as she’d hoped.
She poured tea into four cups before quietly reaching into her handbag.
A small bottle.
Colorless.
Odorless.
She hesitated.
Then…
She slipped a few drops into Jason’s cup.
The bottle disappeared back into her handbag before anyone walked in.
“There you both are!” she called cheerfully.
“Tea’s ready.”
…
The four of them gathered around the dining table.
Conversation flowed more easily than Melissa had expected.
Isabella talked nonstop, filling every silence with funny stories from school.
Jason laughed harder than he had in months.
Melissa watched him with relief.
Maybe…
Maybe having more people around wasn’t such a bad thing.
Catherine noticed Melissa smiling.
She reached across the table and gently held her hand.
“I know no one could ever replace your mother.”
Melissa lowered her eyes.
“But I want you to know…”
Catherine’s voice was gentle.
“I’m not here to take her place.”
“I’m only here because I love both of you.”
Melissa felt her throat tighten.
“Thank you…”
It was all she could manage.
Across the table…
Jason quietly lowered his gaze.
The tea suddenly tasted bitter.
…
That evening, Melissa helped Isabella unpack.
As Isabella arranged framed photographs on the dresser, Melissa noticed one of them.
It showed Isabella as a little girl sitting on a swing.
Beside her stood Catherine.
There was no father in any of the pictures.
Melissa hesitated.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Your dad…”
Isabella’s smile faded ever so slightly.
“I never knew him.”
Melissa immediately regretted asking.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
Isabella shrugged, though her eyes betrayed a sadness she tried to hide.
“Mum always said he wasn’t meant to be part of our lives.”
Melissa nodded.
She didn’t ask another question.
Instead, she reached into a box and handed Isabella a picture frame.
Isabella smiled gratefully.
“Thanks.”
At the doorway, Catherine watched unnoticed.
A slow smile curved her lips.
The girls were getting along.
Better than expected.
Perfect.
Because the deeper the bond…
The more painful the betrayal would be.
…
Late that night…
Jason sat alone on the back porch.
The cool breeze brushed against his face.
He looked up at the stars.
“Emily…”
His voice barely rose above a whisper.
“I don’t know if you’re listening…”
“But I’m trying to keep our daughter safe.”
He closed his eyes.
“I just pray I haven’t already lost the chance.”
Behind him, the porch door opened.
Melissa stepped outside with a blanket.
Without saying a word, she draped it over his shoulders.
“It’s cold.”
Jason looked at her and smiled.
“Thank you.”
She sat beside him.
The two of them watched the stars in comfortable silence.
Inside the house, Catherine stood behind the living room curtains.
Watching them.
Waiting.
Patient.
She knew something they didn’t.
The poison didn’t work overnight.
It worked slowly.
Quietly.
By the time anyone noticed…
It would already be too late.
- Writer
