Expired Expectation

The next day was Astrid's wedding anniversary with Isaiah.

She finalized the divorce agreement and booked a flight to get out of Lovatia the day after tomorrow.

In the afternoon, she went to the kindergarten to take Coco home.

When they passed through the central square, they bumped into Isaiah, who was down on one knee, proposing to Juno.

Many onlookers were mumbling among themselves.

“Mr. Lear must truly love Juno to splurge two million dollars on an engagement ring!”

“In the past, Mr. Lear intentionally registered for the same university as Juno, despite his great talent.”

“Even when she cheated on him and married someone else, he patiently waited for her to come back to him. He loved her with complete devotion!”

“Both were gifted and very attractive. The children that were to come from their union would be gorgeous as well!”

Astrid looked at the wedding ring on her finger and smiled bitterly.

It was a ring meant for Juno originally.

It was slightly too big for Astrid, but Isaiah had never said anything about getting a new one for her.

Yet, here he was spending two million dollars on a ring for Juno.

Astrid told herself she was too presumptuous.

She had foolishly assumed that as long as she took care of his parents and dedicated herself to making tasty food for him, it would be enough to win his affection.

As long as Coco was an obedient and thoughtful daughter, Isaiah would be compelled to dedicate himself to his family.

Reality had utterly crushed all the expectations she had.

Isaiah treated their home as nothing more than temporary lodging.

There were countless times he threw away the food she prepared for him.

Time and time again, he would ignore Coco’s request for a hug.

He was blind to her longings, cold-shouldered her every time, and even refused to approach her.

He never loved Astrid or Coco.

Astrid was the one who foolishly clung to her teenage obsession with Isaiah and refused to snap out of her delusion.

How stupid and naive she had been.

“Mommy, that person proposing looks like Daddy!”

Coco's shrill voice snapped Astrid back to reality.

Just as she prepared to carry Coco away from the scene, Juno suddenly stopped in front of her to cut off her path.

Juno eyed Astrid and Coco for a moment before remarking hesitantly, “Isaiah, didn’t you tell me you didn’t marry anyone and only pretended to just to get on my nerves? Why are this girl’s eyebrows shaped like yours?

“She’s… ”

When Isaiah looked at the shock and hurt in Coco’s eyes, he felt a faint throb in his heart.

Though it only lasted an instant.

Then, he walked past Astrid with Juno still wrapped around his arms.

“I have no idea who that is. A nasty coincidence.”

On the way home, Coco buried her head in Astrid's arms and cried for a long time.

“Is that lady the girl Uncle Isaiah likes? Is she going to move in?” she asked when she finally looked up.

Astrid nodded weakly.

From the corner of her eye, she saw a white car drive by.

She spotted Isaiah inside the car, putting on a necklace for Juno with a doting look in his eyes.

That was her husband showing affection to another woman.

There was nothing she could do to stop him or change things.

“Don't be sad, Mommy. You have me,” Coco declared firmly despite the lump in her throat.

“I will always love you.”

Astrid felt herself tearing up, too.

She embraced Coco tightly, “I’m fine, don’t worry.”

When they got home, Coco locked herself in the room and would not let anyone enter.

Astrid felt her heart break when she heard Coco’s sobs filtering through the door.

It took a long time before she convinced Coco to open the door for her.

Coco was coughing violently when she handed Astrid a framed picture.

“Mommy, I’d like to take this with me when we go.”

It was a picture of Astrid with Coco.

Astrid felt a mix of feelings when she looked at it.

She knelt before Coco and gently wiped the tears from her face.

“Mommy will take more photos with you, okay? You won’t ever have to cry again.”

Coco felt weak and leaned against Astrid’s shoulders.

“Mommy, my chest hurts. Is something wrong with my heart?” she asked, her voice filled with grief.

Astrid had to calm her breath at the question.

“There’s nothing wrong with it. Mommy will fix it for you.”

Isaiah, there goes your first chance.

Only two left to go!