Chapter 1 On my 5-year-old daughter's birthday, I'd snuck over to St. Ann's Preschool to surprise her with an unexpected visit. But when I told the teacher Julia that I was Flora's mom, she immediately furrowed. "You're saying… you're Flora's mother?" she asked, her tone sharp with suspicion. I nodded, already feeling annoyed. Sure, Hunter Steven usually handled pickup and drop-off duties, but come on. Did she really need to question me with such obvious doubt voice. However, her expression suddenly brightened, "Oh! Please hang on a sec, Ill bring Flora out to you right now." Watching her turn and head back inside, I decided to just let it go. No point in making a scene over nothing. The next moment, Julia reappeared-but this time flanked by two huge security guards. "That's her! She's trying to kidnap our children!" Behind Julia stood two guys in navy blue security uniforms. Her smile was completely gone now, replaced by rage as she pointed at me. "Get her! This bitch's impersonating a parent to kidnap our kids! The absolute nerve!" I stood there frozen, my mind going completely blank Kidnapping? Impersonating a parent? What the hell was she talking about? Before I could even process what was happening, the two security guards lunged at me, yanking my arms behind my back. Sharp pain shot through my shoulders as I cried out. "What the hell?! Let me go!" I struggled against their grip: "I'm not a kidnapper! You idiots have the wrong person! Let go!" "Wrong person?" Julia stormed up to me, her face twisted with disgust: "Still lying even now? You're caught red-handed!" The commotion had drawn other teachers from nearby offices and the hallway. They all poked their heads out, their voices buzzing around me like angry wasps. "What's going on?" "Holy shit, is she a kidnapper?" "Jesus Christ! She actually came right to the classroom!" "Thank God they caught her! Sick freaks like this deserve to rot in hell!" "I mean, just look at her-you can tell she's up to no good!" All those hateful eyes boring into me felt like knives cutting into me. "I'm NOT a kidnapper! I'm Flora Steven's mother! Just bring her out here! One look and you'll see I'm telling the truth!" "Flora?" The teacher Julia who'd accused me let out a cold laugh. "Wow, you really did your research, huh? Even got the kid's name down pat. Too bad you were stupid enough to pretend to be her actual mom!" She turned to the other teachers: "You hear that? She even knows the kid's name! This bitch has obviously been stalking our school!" "No! She really is my daughter!" Desperate, I remembered the photos on my phone. "I have pictures! I've got of me and Flora!" I twisted my restrained arms, managed to unlock my screen and pulled up the first photo in my photo gallery. There it was-last weekend we at Central Park. Flora in her a pale yellow jacket, hugging my neck tight while I pressed my cheek against hers. "Look! This is me and Flora just from last Saturday!" After a brief silence, Julia leaned in to look at the screen, then snorted with laughter: "Nice props, lady. Wrong photo though." The other teachers started cracking up too. "Oh my God, she's actually pathetic…" "Are kidnappers really this sloppy nowadays?" "Probably just grabbed some random family photo off Instagram!" How was this possible? I stared down at the photo on my phone screen, my eyes glued to our enlarged faces in the picture. This was clearly my daughter, Flora Steven. The head of security Brain Parker barked: "Enough of this crap! Get this nutjob to the cops!" As they yanked me to my feet, I used every ounce of strength I had to break free and burst into the classroom. The classroom door slammed open with a loud bang, and all the kids inside looked up at me with confused expressions. "Flora!" I shouted my daughter's name, frantically searching the room for her. The next moment, a little girl stood up. She tilted her head slightly, her eyes full of confusion as she asked: "Um, excuse me, lady… why are you looking for me?" When I saw her face clearly, my whole world stopped. How could a mother possibly mistake her own daughter? T Title: ReelTalk EP 40 - Contract Lovers & Heartbreak CrushReel's ongoing romance series, Miss You After Goodbye, continues to captivate on the latest ReelTalk episode. Haley Lohrli dives into her daring new character, while Ben and Josh share insights into their own memorable roles, promising a blend of laughter and heartwarming moments. Exploring themes of love, loss, and unexpected connections, this episode delves deep into the intricate relationships that drive the narrative forward. As the stars reveal their on-screen chemistry and off-screen camaraderie, viewers are in for a treat with each unfolding scene. What sets this episode apart is its ability to balance humor with poignant storytelling, offering a refreshing take on modern romance dynamics. Dive into the world of Contract Lovers & Heartbreak, available to read at CrushReel for a journey that promises both entertainment and emotional resonance.