“You done now? Or do I get to leave?”
Regina blinked, unsure for the first time. Meanwhile, Hector still sprawled half-naked beside her. He just smirked and picked up right where they’d left off.
I didn’t care. I turned away from their sick little scene and headed upstairs without another word.
In my room, I carefully folded Claudia’s tiny clothes and laid them in her suitcase. Then I pulled out the photo album, the one I had made just for her.
Page after page, her bright little face smiled back at me like she was still here, full of life. Then, the heavy unstoppable tears came.
Just a day ago, my daughter was still talking to me.
“Daddy, don’t be sad,” she had said. “Mom’s just really busy with work, that’s why she can’t be with us.”
“Mom works so hard… so this year, I won’t wish for her to come to the amusement park with me. I’ll wish for her to finally get a day to rest.”
I sobbed into the tiny shirt that still carried her scent. Claudia was so thoughtful, always trying to understand her mother. Yet, her mother chose to send her to her death on her birthday of all days.
After packing up all of Claudia’s things, I called my lawyer and made arrangements to leave.