She sighed, long and dramatic. “Miya, you were exhausted. We didn’t want to wake you up in that state.”
“In that state?” My voice rose. “You had no right! She’s my child.”
“Hanabi and Gusion organized something special,” she continued, ignoring me. “A real party. Balloons, performers, hundred of kids. Not some pathetic dolphin show. Pff! She’s smiling so much. You should be grateful someone is finally doing this properly.”
My fingers dug into my palm. “Give me the phone. Let me talk to her. Right now.”
There was a pause. Then a soft laugh.
“Don’t ruin her mood, daughter,” my mother said. “She’s happy. For once. Don't be a killjoy like you always used to be."
“Killjoy?” I choked. “I am here real mother! Do you even hear yourself?”
“Miya,” she said slowly, like she was explaining something simple to a stupid person, “you need to stop clinging. Gusion has moved on. He love Hanabi and Hanabi will be a better influence. She’s calmer. Healthier. She has time.”
Something dark twisted in my chest. “You’re saying she’ll replace me.”
“I’m saying,” my mother replied coldly, “that maybe Nana deserves someone who isn’t always pretending to be sick, crying, or causing scenes.”
My vision went white.
“Bring my daughter home,” I said, shaking. “If you don’t—”
“Enough!" she snapped. “Stop being selfish.”
The line went dead.
I stood there staring at my phone, my whole body trembling. I felt small. Powerless. Like I had no right to my own child.
My thumb moved on its own.
I opened Instagram. And my heart shattered all over again.
The first post was Hanabi’s.
A clean, glossy photo. Her hand intertwined with Gusion’s. The engagement ring shining right in the center.
"Fate brought us together. Love made us brave. Counting down the days until I become Mrs. Colombo."
Thousands of likes.
Hundreds of comments.
“Finally! You two make so much more sense.”
“She looks way more suitable than his wife, sorry not sorry!”
“I always felt he married the wrong one.”
“True love wins in the end.”
People I knew. People who smiled at me. People who attended my wedding.
Then I scrolled.
Another photo loaded.
I stopped breathing.
Nana.
Sitting on Gusion’s lap. Laughing. Her arms wrapped around Hanabi’s neck. Hanabi kissing her cheek. Gusion smiling like this was his real family.
Like I never existed.