Chapter 1 My sister is marrying the father of my child . Three years . 5 vouchers That's how long it had been since I stood outside that house with a suitcase in one hand and nowhere to go . It has been three years since I cried until my body gave out , since I collapsed with nothing but pain in my chest and a child I hadn't even known was growing inside me . Three years since Rick walked out of my life like I was nothing . Now , the world looked different and so did I. The wheel shifted under my hands as I turned off the main road , the hum of the engine soft beneath the sound of Lena's gentle humming in the back seat . Her legs swung in rhythm , her little voice trailing off with the song she made up . I caught a glimpse of her in the rearview mirror , soft curls , wide eyes , a face that looked like mine but carried the traces of someone I could never forget . She was everything to me , the reason I survived when I had nothing . After that night , I had lived in shelters for two weeks before finding work . I saved every coin I earned , skipped meals , worked two jobs , dishwashing by day , deliveries at night until I scraped together enough to rent a one - room flat . Eventually , I opened a tiny food cart with my savings , cooking in the mornings with Lena strapped to my back . People liked my food , came back for more , and somehow , against every odd , that cart became a café and then a small restaurant , a warm place , a place that felt like mine . Now , I had staff , a steady income , a loyal community and Lena had her own room , her own bed , her own bedtime stories . I never asked anyone for help especially not my family , So when my father's text arrived that morning , I almost deleted it . " Family dinner tonight . Marissa is getting married , be there . " Just like that , no apology or warmth . No acknowledgment that they'd kicked me out and never checked if I lived or died . But I said yes. Not for them , for me . I needed to look them in the eye and show them what they lost . 1/3 8:39 pm ED . Chapter 1 B5 vouchers I needed them to see that I didn't just survive , that I built a life they could never take credit for . I didn't expect kindness , I didn't want it . I wanted closure . The gates of the mansion appeared ahead , just like I remembered , tall , black , and soulless . Lena leaned forward in her car seat , eyes wide . " Is this a castle , Mommy ? " she asked . " No , sweetheart , " I said softly , " just a very big house ." The guard didn't recognize me at first . I had to give my full name before he stepped aside . We drove in slowly , the driveway stretching on forever . I parked near the main entrance . My heart didn't beat faster but my hands tightened slightly on the wheel . " Come on , baby , " I said , helping Lena out , smoothing down her little dress . She held my hand as we walked toward the grand front doors . I pushed them open myself . The scent hit me first , polished wood , flowers , something expensive and distant . Voices drifted in from the main sitting room , my father's laugh carrying above the rest . I stepped into the room with Lena beside me , and for a moment , no one noticed us . My father stood near the fireplace , dressed in a deep navy suit , drink in hand . Across from him stood a tall man , his back to me , shoulders broad beneath a fitted blazer , posture calm and still . I couldn't see his face . " Oh , " my father said suddenly , spotting me . His smile turned sharp , smug , " who would've thought you'd actually show up . " I said nothing yet , just straightened my spine , ready to speak , ready to say every word I had held inside for years . But he wasn't finished . " You're just in time , " he said , motioning toward the man beside him . " This is my daughter , the one who ran off playing house with a food truck , you remember me telling you about her ? " The man turned and I stopped breathing . My legs didn't move , my fingers went slack in Lena's hand . The man standing beside my father , dressed in dark gray with sharp eyes and the same face I'd once memorized in the dark , was Rick , the father of my child . My father smiled , oblivious to the silence that had dropped between us . " Meet your sister's fiancé , " he introduced Rick to me . 3:39 pm ED Chapter 2 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!