Divorce Over Two-Fifty

n without a knock, and Sophia waltzed in. She was wearing a new silk robe, and she made a show of st

led her fingers. "Leo gave it to me last night

ss. But Sophia wasn't done. She walked over to Lil

sweater and "accidentally" staining it, her "innocent" questions to Leo about why I needed my own studio when I barely sold any paintings. I had dismissed it all as teenage pettine

picking up one of Lily's drawings. She looked at it with disdai

s is a private conversation, Sop

ing in it." She turned her gaze to Lily, who was watching with wide, nervous eyes. "It must be so har

s one thing for her to attack me, but t

ay?" I asked, my voi

tears. "Am I a burden,

pressed anger, humiliation, and pain eru

t," I s

t smirked.

d flew up and I slapped her, hard, across t

m, "ever speak about my daughter like that aga

pure hatred. But before she could retaliate, she heard footsteps in the hall. Her expression shifte

the doorway. "W

me. "I just came in to say good morning, and she attacked me

eek, then shifted to me. His face was thunderous. He didn

, Ava?" he roared, striding towa

rden!" I tried to exp

d, running to Leo and tugging on his

his leg, a small, impatient shove that sent Lily stum

d away. All I could see was my little girl on the floor, looking up at her father with an expressi

, but a man completely devoid of any paternal love for his own child. He was a monster wearing the

nal card. She let out a choked gasp, clutched her ches

urning to panic. He shot me one last look of

stairs, his voice calling her name with a desperat

house, leaving me and my daug