That morning, the sun hadn't risen high yet. Its golden light filtered softly through the leaves of the towering tree in the Alvera family's backyard. The breeze was cool, laced with the scent of dew-drenched grass and the comforting aroma of warm bread drifting from the kitchen.
Beneath the shade, a cream-colored picnic mat with tiny floral prints lay on the grass. A wicker basket sat open, revealing warm pastries, fresh fruit, and a thermos of hot chocolate.
A ten-year-old girl with jet-black hair sat cross-legged on one side of the mat, painting on a small canvas. Raeya Evaleen Alvera's wide eyes reflected the light, focused on the view before her: the trees, the sky, and her parents laughing like they held the whole world in their arms.
"Yes, brighten that corner a little more—let the sunlight feel warm," her mother, Liana Mireille Alvera, said gently as she caressed her daughter's shoulder.
Arvind Thalor Alvera chuckled warmly. "Such talent. When you grow up, I'll be your biggest fan."
Raeya looked back with a shy smile. "Really? Even if it looks kind of messy…?"
"No, sweetheart," Liana shook her head. "It's beautiful. You see the world in a way others can't. That's what makes your art special."
Raeya stared at her painting again. "I want to be a painter, Mom. I want to keep beautiful things forever, so they never disappear."
Her father's gaze softened. "Then it's our job to make sure you always have beauty around you."
They laughed together, not knowing this warmth—this moment—would one day become a memory far too painful to touch.
╥﹏╥
That afternoon, the sky had darkened. Clouds hung heavy like the weight of unspoken truths.
Raeya was still at school, laughing during art class. But at home, the joy had drained away.
Liana came home holding a cake box for Raeya. Her steps were light—until she heard it.
A woman's laughter. Too soft. Too intimate. Too wrong.
She paused. Walked slowly toward the sound. And stopped at the living room door.
Her heart stopped too.
There he was—Arvind. And in his arms, a younger woman. They kissed like no one was watching.
Liana blinked, her mind denying what her eyes saw.
"What… is this?" she whispered. "Arvind… tell me this isn't real…"
Arvind's gaze turned cold. "This is Celene. My secretary. And now, my lover."
The woman smiled smugly. "Hi. Looks like he got tired of leftovers."
Liana staggered forward, trembling. "No… You're lying. Arvind, tell me this is a mistake!"
But he stood tall, void of warmth. "Don't make a scene. It's over."
In one swift motion, Liana slapped him. But the sound that followed froze her heart.
Smack.
He hit her back. Hard.
She crashed to the floor, her cheek burning, her breath stolen.
And at that moment…
The front door opened.
"Mom…?"
Raeya stood still, her small frame frozen in the doorway.
"Mom!!"
She ran to her mother, kneeling beside her. "What happened?! Why did Dad hit you?!"
"Stay out of this, Raeya," Arvind said. "Your mother's being dramatic."
Raeya's eyes burned with tears. "You're not Dad. Not anymore…"
Celene giggled. "Aww. Poor girl. Still believes in happy endings."
Arvind sighed and checked his watch. "I'm done here. I won't argue in front of a child."
"Let's go, baby," Celene said, tugging his arm. "This place stinks of desperation."
He didn't even look back.
The door opened.
Then shut.
And with it, the last warmth of their home disappeared.
Liana trembled. "He's gone…"
Raeya hugged her tightly. "He'll come back, won't he?"
Liana took a long, silent breath. Then whispered, "Maybe. But not as the man we once knew…"
ಥ_ಥ
That night, the rain fell softly—as if the sky itself was mourning for the wounds within that house.
When the front door unlocked, the quiet sound of the turning key cut through the silence like a blade. Arvind stepped inside, his movements calm, as if nothing had changed. But Liana knew—everything had.
Raeya, who had been sitting in the living room, immediately stood. "Papa…"
Arvind glanced at her for a moment. His face showed no warmth, no expression. His eyes were distant—like she wasn't his daughter, but a stranger occupying his space.
Liana rose from the couch, her gaze locking onto her husband's.
"So you came home," she said softly, trying to keep her voice steady.
Arvind hung his coat and walked further in without responding.
"Arvind, I'm talking to you."
"I heard you," he replied flatly.
"Then answer me! You disappeared for two days. No messages, no calls. Your daughter asked about you every night!"
"I was busy," he said simply, loosening his tie.
"Busy?! With whom? With the woman you had on our couch?! In our home?!"
Raeya looked down. Her chest tightened, her heart thundering.
Arvind raised his head and stared at Liana without remorse. "That's none of your business anymore."
"None of my—?!" Liana's voice cracked. "I'm your wife, Arvind! This is our home! That child is your daughter! You betrayed us—and now you act like I'm the problem?!"
"I was never happy with you, Liana," he said, voice low but sharp.
It hit her like a second slap.
"You…" she swallowed hard as tears filled her eyes. "You say you weren't happy? Then why stay? Why lie to me all this time?!"
"I tried," he said coldly. "But you were always busy—with the house, with Raeya, with everything else. I was lonely."
Liana gave a broken laugh, her tears slipping freely. "So your loneliness gives you the right to cheat? To bring some cheap woman into our home?! To humiliate me in front of our child?!"
"You're being dramatic," Arvind muttered. "Celene gave me peace you never could."
"She's just your toy!" Liana shouted. "And you know it! One day you'll regret this—not because of me, but because of Raeya!"
Raeya couldn't take it anymore. She rushed over and tugged on her mother's hand, hugging her tightly with trembling arms.
"Mom… don't shout… I'm scared… please stop…"
Liana closed her eyes, trying to hold back the flood of pain. Her hand trembled as she ran it through Raeya's hair.
"Look at her, Arvind," she said, voice shaking. "Look at what you've done to your daughter."
Arvind turned his gaze to Raeya. For a brief second, hesitation flickered in his eyes. But he looked away again, covering his face with his hand.
"I'm tired," he muttered. "I just want to sleep."
He walked off toward the stairs, his footsteps heavy—leaving behind a room that suddenly felt colder than the rain outside.
Raeya clung to her mother tighter. "I promise I'll be good, Mom… just don't leave me too…"
Liana covered her face, her sobs finally breaking the quiet of the night.