Chapter 8
Elena didn’t disappear completely after the divorce.
Every few months, she would try to cause problems. She would call Richard’s lawyer with new demands. She would try to contact Chloe through social media or through mutual acquaintances. Once, she even showed up at Chloe’s school and tried to see her.
Each time, Richard shut her down immediately.
He had made it very clear — Elena was no longer part of their lives.
One evening, about a year after the divorce, Elena managed to get Richard’s new phone number and called him directly.
When he answered, her voice was cold and bitter.
“You think you’ve won, don’t you?” she said. “You think you can just erase me from your life and play happy family with that brat?”
Richard’s voice was calm but firm.
“Elena, I’m only going to say this once. Stop contacting us. Chloe doesn’t want to see you, and neither do I.”
Elena laughed harshly.
“You’re such a fool, Richard. That child isn’t even special. She’s weak. Just like her mother was. You’re wasting your time and money on her.”
Richard felt his blood boil.
He had spent years listening to Elena insult his late wife and his daughter. He had stayed silent for too long.
Not anymore.
“Elena,” he said coldly, “Chloe is my daughter. She is the best thing that ever happened to me. And if you ever speak about her like that again, I will make sure you regret it.”
There was a pause on the other end.
Then Elena spoke again, her voice dripping with venom.
“She is not your daughter. Not really. She’s just a reminder of the woman you lost. And one day, you’ll realize that I was right about her.”
Richard didn’t bother responding.
He simply ended the call and blocked her number.
That night, he sat beside Chloe’s bed and watched her sleep.
He made a silent promise to both himself and his daughter.
May you like
No one would ever speak about Chloe that way again.
Not while he was still breathing.
