The Day My Daughter Celebrated Chapter 4

Stella's opposition to my remarriage was ten thousand times more intense than I'd imagined.

She escalated her antics.

She calculated a date—exactly ten months early.

Then she announced she'd host a grand "Joy Day" party at home.

"Celebrating the origin of my life, that day when my mom was filled with joy and love."

That's what she wrote in the invitations posted across all her social platforms.

I trembled with rage.

"Stella, do you have to do this?"

She was in her room decorating with balloons, turning to look at me with feigned innocence.

"Mom, what's wrong with this? I'm embracing life, celebrating joy."

"Shouldn't you be happy? I'm looking at my birth so positively."

I looked at that innocent face speaking the cruelest words.

"You're humiliating me!"

"Humiliating?" She stopped what she was doing and walked toward me.

"I'm just stating a fact."

"Weren't you with that man because of love and happiness?"

"Were you forced?"

Each word hammered into my chest.

I stepped back, my face pale.

She pressed forward relentlessly.

"Mom, why aren't you saying anything? You look awful."

"Tell me—were you enjoying yourself back then?"

SLAP!

I used every ounce of strength to slap her across the face.

The air went silent instantly.

She held her cheek, looking at me in disbelief.

I'd never laid a finger on her in her entire life.

Seconds later, she laughed.

Tears streamed through her fingers, but her laughter grew louder, taking on a manic quality.

"You hit me?"

"Because I struck a nerve?"

"Monica, you're pathetic."

She turned and went back to her room, slamming the door violently.

I knew there was no turning back for us now.