Chapter 1 For seven en years . Soraya poured her soul into her family . When her husband and daughter gave their love to the mistress , something inside her shattered . She walked away and never looked back -Soraya - " No! I don't want you ! I want Aunt Rose ! " Soraya's daughter , Sage , screamed . " I want her to come to school with Daddy ! " Those words were like multiple knives that stabbed through Soraya's heart . Her daughter preferred her husband's mistress to accompany her to school . " But , Sage , I'm your mom , " Soraya tried to reason , but her daughter only threw a tantrum , hurling the vase in the living room and screaming . " But I like Aunt Rose . She is pretty and talented , and Dad likes her very much ! " Sage retorted , further tightening the feeling in Soraya's chest . " If I go with you . Dad won't come ! " How could her daughter , the one she carried in her womb for nearly ten months and raised for six years , choose another woman over her ? Soraya had already accepted that her husband would never love her , but what about her daughter ? Why had she become distant from her ? Clenching her jaw , Soraya blamed it all on her husband , Calum Montclair . He was the one who introduced Sage to his " girlfriend ." He sent Soraya across the world under the guise of a business trip , allowing her daughter to bond with his mistress . Back then , he said , " I need you to close a deal in Singapore " When she returned four months ago , Soraya learned about Rose and her growing relationship with her husband and daughter . A tear rolled down Soraya's face . She approached her daughter and knelt before her . She asked , " Sage , Baby don't you love Mommy anymore ? " Sage tried to open her mouth but instead snapped her head in the other direction , her arms folded against her chest . " I just want to spend more time with Aunt Rose ." Soraya got up and gave Sage her back . She took deep breaths as she placed her hands on her hips . After gathering her composure , she said , " Okay if that's what makes you happy . but you must promise to spend time with me tomorrow ." She wiped the tears that flooded her face and turned to her daughter . " It's your special day , and we always spend it together . remember ! " Her daughter instantly looked guilty . She opened her mouth , about to say something , but instead gulped . " Okay , Mommy . I'm sorry ." At least she still remembers . Soraya thought . She checked the time , and seeing was almost nine , she said , " Let's go . You're going to be late . " While heading out , she called her husband , Calum . At first , he hung up the phone . He often did . To Calum , Soraya had never been an equal parties . She had to text him the exact reason for her call : [ Sage doesn't want to coine with me to the parent teacher activity . She wants Rose | When Soraya and Sage reached the car her husband replied Rose and I will be at school . Bring Sage over ] The drive to Evermoor Academy was long and agonizing . It took everything in Soraya not to break down and cry . Now and then , she would planer at the rearview mirror , hoping to gri a reaction from her daughter - anything But Sage avoided her gaze the entire time . It was as if the daughter slic raised was now a stranger When they arrived at the school . Suraya waited . After hull cat in his custom - made nit , his tall frame and claseled hour , Calum's Beatley hually pulled over in front of her . He stepped out of satures ever so defined . Then , he walked over to the other side and opened helped Hose out of the vehicle , his hand gently wrapped around hers . 153 PM P Chapter 1 Wearing a tailored red business dress , Rose carried herself with the quiet confidence of a seasoned professional . Her elegantly wavy blonde hair and expensive jewelry made her look exceptionally sophisticated . Everyone outside the school gates turned to Calum and Rose with awe . Soraya could tell that they all thought they made a great couple . " Perhaps they do make a great couple , Soraya thought . After all , Calum , the CEO of the Montclair Group and the wealthiest man in Cedar Heights , was the one who had transformed their family business into a thriving empire . Rose Becket was said to be a gifted entrepreneur , having started a fashion line immediately after her doctoral degree . " Aunt Rose ! " Sage excitedly got out of the car. Soraya had to rush out and chase after her daughter to ensure Sage's safety . She thought she had prepared herself for whatever heartbreak she would witness , but she was dead wrong She saw Sage leap into Rose's arms . The two were happy to be together as if they were truly mother and daughter . And as for Calum , he had that gentle smile on his face , an affection he never once gave Soraya . Soraya's knees nearly gave way . Her heart was aching so much that she felt like she could die at any minute . In their " happy family . " Soraya was the outsider . She was the villain in their eyes , especially Calum After standing there like a fool for almost a minute , she finally caught Calum's cold stare . He said indifferently , " You can go now . " Soraya hesitated . She directed her gaze to Sage , asking , " Sage , tomorrow . You promised ." Sage did not say anything . She just nodded . Meanwhile , Soraya caught the triumphant look on Rose's face . It angered her to the core . The confidence in this woman , who dared ger involved with a married man , was just too much ! The trio did not stay any longer . They entered the school grounds with smiles on their faces Just as she was about to turn to her car , Sage's teacher , Miss Gale, bumped into her . " Mrs. Montclair ! I'm sorry , " Miss Gale said with a smile . " I'm glad to see you . Are you attending today's activity ? " The teacher frowned and shared . " Lately , another woman and Mr. Montclair have been picking up Sage from school . I - I wonder if " I know ." Soraya responded bitterly . " It's fine . It is what it is ." Tm - I'm sorry . " Miss Gale caught up quickly . She grieved for Soraya on the verge of tears . If anyone , this teacher had witnessed all of Soraya's sacrifices for Sage in school . When Sage got hurt or sick while in school , Soraya always came to her daughter's aid . Soraya attended most school activities without Calum " Doni take it to heart , Mrs. Montclair . Sage she - she he doesn't understand yet , " Miss Cale tried to comfort her , but honestly , it did not help The heaviness in Soraya's chest continued to weigh down on her even as she prepared for Sage's birthday celebration at home . She baked a cake and prepared special dishes that Sage would love to eat . After prepping for tomorrow , she went to the bedroom to rest . Soraya had taken a week off from work , hoping to spend time with her daughter . Four years ago under the pressure of Cedric and Amanda Montclair , Calum's parents , Suraya quit her er lugh - paying job to work for her husband as part of Jin support staff The Montclair couple wanted her to work harder and win their son's love . But the love Soraya longed for pever came Instead , Calum's hair for her grew stranger Soraya had come to terms with the fact that Calum would never love her . The only reason she remumed in their marriage was of bage , but even now , her daughter was slipping away . because " No " Soraya muttered as she lay herself on the bed " Sage will come b be was emotionally exhausted and soon drifted to sleep She loves me When Soraya woke up , it was already late at night . She frowned , turning to the other side of the bed , funding it empty Sloul of the maid , " Belinda ' Have Caluin and Sage arrived ? " Chapter 1 " Belinda ? " she called again . It took a while for the maid to come upstairs and address Soraya . The latter said , " Mrs. Montclair , Mr. Montclair , and the young miss have not arrived yet . " A sense of panic washed over her . Soraya called her husband , but Calum dropped the call . She texted him , but he didn't answer . Knowing that her daughter brought her tablet , Soraya texted Sage through a messaging app . It was always how they communicated when they were apan . She waited until two check marks appeared , suggesting her daughter had seen the message . Soraya sent another text : [ Hi , Baby . Where are you ? Don't forget , we will spend time together on your birthday.1 Again , two check marks appeared . Soraya's fingers trembled as she stared at the screen . The message had been seen, but the silence that followed cut deeper than betrayal . Her daughter was slipping away , and she couldn't stop it . 田