Chapter 2
745 Words
Sophia shot a questioning look at John, her eyes lingering on him for a long time without saying a word. The silence grew heavy, and John, sensing something was amiss, gradually loosened his hold on her.
Their gazes tangled in the air, tension building. Just as Sophia seemed on the verge of erupting, their daughter, Mia, suddenly piped up, "Daddy, when I was sick, you didn't spend time with me! You have to make it up to me! I want to go to the amusement park. Can we go, please?"
John smiled, gently patting her cheek. "Alright, sure thing. Get dressed, and I'll take you today."
Mia wasn't done yet. She turned her big, expectant eyes toward Sophia. "Mommy, you have to come too! Let's go together—just the three of us!"
Faced with her daughter's hopeful gaze, Sophia couldn't bring herself to refuse. She forced a smile and nodded.
As soon as they arrived at the amusement park, Mia bolted ahead, hopping with excitement as she headed straight for her favorite ride. Sophia trailed behind, a faint smile playing on her lips despite herself.
While they were waiting in line, someone suddenly called out to Sophia. She turned around to see a familiar face—it was one of her old college classmates.
Her classmate's eyes flicked over the family, a teasing grin spreading across her face.
"Well, well, look who it is! I didn't think I'd bump into you here. You two are still together after all these years, huh? Just like back in college—sweet as ever! And your daughter's already so big! How old is she?"
Sophia glanced at Mia, ruffling her daughter's hair. "She's five."
Her classmate sighed wistfully. "Five already? Time flies. You guys are the real deal—high school sweethearts turned husband and wife, and now parents to such a cute little girl. I'm so jealous."
The words pulled her back to her college days. Back then, she and John had been inseparable, their relationship the envy of everyone around them. When John confessed his feelings, she hadn't hesitated for a second before saying yes.
They spent those days immersed in their shared passion for art, exploring life together. Whenever she turned her head, she'd always find him gazing at her with that unmistakable look of affection.
John used to say she was his muse, his wellspring of inspiration. He'd take her hand and tell her, "Sophia, just thinking about you makes my creativity flow. You're my muse." His earnestness never failed to make her cheeks burn red.
Later, they got married. At the wedding, he knelt on one knee, looking at her as though she were the only person in the world. "My love," he'd said solemnly, "I will cherish you forever, love you endlessly, and never, ever lie to you."
Those vows still echoed in her mind, clear as day. And yet… everything had changed. How could John have lied to her?
Sophia was still lost in her thoughts when a small hand tugged at her sleeve.
"Mommy, come ride the teacups with me!" Mia pleaded.
Her daughter's radiant smile cut through the haze of her emotions. Sophia forced herself to push her turmoil aside, squeezing out a smile. "Alright, let's go."
Mia sat in the spinning cup, her laughter bubbling out like music, her face aglow with pure, unrestrained joy. Watching her, Sophia found herself smiling too. She thought to herself, 'As long as Mia is happy, I can put everything else aside for now.'
As they made their way to the next ride, a sickly-sweet voice rang out from behind them. "Mr. Smith!"
John froze and turned around, his expression briefly faltering. Sophia followed his gaze to see a young woman walking toward them, her eyes fixed on John. "Mr. Smith," the woman said with a smile, "what a coincidence."
John forced a smile of his own. "Yes, what a coincidence. Oh, let me introduce you—this is my wife and daughter." He gestured to Sophia and added, "This is Olivia Martin, a new colleague at my studio."
Sophia sized up the woman. It was their first meeting, but she recognized her immediately. She was the woman from John's paintings.
"Hello, Mrs. Smith," Olivia greeted politely before crouching down to scoop up Mia. "What a cute little girl!"
As Olivia's hand reached for Mia's face, something inside Sophia snapped. Her voice rang out, sharp and unyielding. "Put my daughter down!"
- Writer
