Nana was hugging a huge robot toy, shiny and expensive, the kind Gusion bought without even checking the price. Her eyes were bright as she looked up at Hanabi.
“Thank you, Mommy Hanabi!” Nana said happily. “I love it so much!”
The word hit me like a punch.
“Na… Nana,” I whispered, barely able to breathe. “Baby, Mommy’s here.”
She looked at me, but there was no excitement. Just confusion. Distance.
“Why are you upset, Mommy? You always like that! I hate it. Mommy Hanabi bought me this and played with me all day. She makes Daddy smile. She’s really nice.”
Hanabi laughed softly and brushed Nana’s hair back. Then she looked at me, calm and unbothered.
“Miya, don’t look so shocked,” she said gently. “I’ve been the one taking care of Nana lately. She’s just responding to love.”
Nana nodded seriously. “Mommy Hanabi plays with me and stays with me. You’re always tired. I want us to be happy. You should sign the papers so we can be a real family.”
I felt all the air leave my lungs.
Before I could say anything, Hanabi turned to Gusion and kissed him. Slow. Deep. Right in front of me.
Nana giggled. “Daddy and Mommy Hanabi love each other! Yehey! I'm so happy.”
I didn’t move. I couldn’t.
I just stood there, frozen, watching my husband kiss the girl my parents raised as my sister, while my daughter smiled like this was her new world.
It felt unreal.
But it wasn’t.
This was my reality.
Gusion pulled away from Hanabi with a satisfied smile, like he’d just won something. Then he looked at me, his eyes cold and almost amused, the way he used to look at people he was done with.
“Be reasonable, Miya,” he said, handing me another copy of the papers. “Just sign it already. There’s no point dragging this out and embarrassing yourself.”
Nana hugged her toy tighter and looked up at me, her little face full of urgency. “Mommy, please sign it,” she said softly. “Daddy and Mommy Hanabi are happy. I want us to stay happy too.”
Happy.
They already looked happy. Like a perfect family that had erased me without effort. It felt like being stabbed twice and told to smile about it.
My legs gave out a little as I stepped back, my vision blurring. “I… I need to be alone,” I whispered, my voice barely holding together.
I turned and rushed into my room before anyone could stop me, slamming the door shut. The second it closed, I collapsed onto the floor, my body shaking as silent sobs tore through me.