The German Birthday Wish, Mommy Quinn

Chapter 1

At my daughter's birthday party, she stood before the candles and made a wish in German.

I wish that Auntie Linnette could be my mommy this year.

My husband, Desmond, chuckled and ruffled her hair.

You'll get your wish very soon, sweetheart.

I stood frozen in place. The cake in my hand slipped, crashing onto the floor in a messy heap of frosting and sponge.

Desmond looked at me with feigned concern. "Honey, what's wrong?"

I shook my head quickly, forcing a tight smile. "My hand just slipped. That's all."

Only I knew the truth. I had panicked because I understood every word of that German wish.

Desmond seemed to have forgotten a crucial detail about my past. I grew up in Berlin and only moved back to the States for college.

Back when we were dating, he even took German classes just to get closer to me.

I was the one who painstakingly taught our daughter, Lila, how to speak the language.

Desmond grabbed a towel to clean the mess on the floor. He then sliced a fresh piece of cake and held it up to my mouth.

"It's okay. Since you're so clumsy today, let me feed you."

This time, I didn't lean in. I took a step back, my skin crawling.

"I'm not hungry anymore."

Lila stuffed a huge forkful of cake into her mouth, her cheeks bulging like a squirrel's.

"I'm still here, you know! Stop showing off your love in front of me."

Lila was seven years old. She still had her baby fat, and her features were a mirror image of Desmond'sDrefined and striking.

Desmond pulled me into his arms right in front of her, raising an eyebrow playfully.

"Loving my wife is a full-time job. You better get used to it, kiddo."

Lila set her plate down and ran over, burying her face in my waist.

"No way! It's my birthday. Mommy belongs to me today."

She hugged me tightly, but I didn't reach down to stroke her hair like I usually did.

Lila sensed something was off. She looked up at me, her eyes brimming with calculated tears.

"Mommy, why aren't you hugging me back?"

"Are you and Daddy teaming up to bully me now?"

Desmond let out a soft laugh. I looked down at my daughter, my voice flat and cold.

"I was just wondering something. My husband and daughter seem to love me so much, but I wonder if they have someone they like even more."

Lila froze. The room went silent.

"Mommy, what kind of crazy talk is that?"

The smile vanished from Desmond's face. When he looked at me again, his eyes were filled with a terrifyingly deep, fake devotion.

He took my hand, rubbing my knuckles gently.

"Exactly. Lila and I love you more than anyone. Why would you even think that?"

I silently pulled my hand away from his grasp.

They were still trying to play me for a fool.

They had clearly forgotten that the thing I loathe most in this world is a lie.

When we got married, I told him straight out. If I ever caught him in a lie, I would leave and never look back.

He had sworn in front of everyone we knew that he would be faithful to me forever.

After all, if I left, I would go back to Germany. He would never see me again.

But now, I had no idea how long he had been cheating. Even the daughter I cherished was rooting for the other woman.

Five years of devotion and parenting had gone down the drain in a single sentence.

I thought I would scream. I thought I would break down and tear the house apart.

Surprisingly, I was calm. I was already calculating my next move.

I pushed Lila away from me, my movements sharp.

"I'm tired. You two finish the party yourselves."

Chapter 2

Lila stared at me, her eyes wide with disbelief as I pushed her back.

I didn't bother comforting her. I walked away, listening to her burst into tears behind my back.

Desmond's voice was a soothing murmur.

"Don't cry, baby. Mommy probably just feels sick. I'll go check on her."

"Be a good girl for Daddy, okay?"

Lila let out a wet, shaky sob of agreement.

Just as I was about to slam the bedroom door, Desmond shoved his way inside.

Suddenly, his phone lit up with a notification on the nightstand.

"Are you coming over to my place tonight?"

Desmond didn't notice the screen. He stepped closer, his face etched with worry.

"What's going on, Amara?"

I looked down, avoiding his eyes, and got straight to the point.

"I saw the message on your phone."

I grabbed the device before he could react, unlocked it, and thrust it in front of his face.

"Go ahead and reply. Don't keep her waiting. You're clearly in the mood to comfort people tonight."

Panic flashed across his face. He immediately tossed the phone aside like it was trash, trying to prove his innocence.

"My only priority is making sure my Amara is happy. I don't even know who that is."

He leaned in, his lips brushing against mine. His eyes darkened with a sudden, forced hunger.

"Amara"

He pinned me in his arms. I struggled, but he just smirked and whispered into my ear.

"I knew you couldn't really push me away"

Just as he buried his face in my neck, a loud, frantic banging echoed from the door.

"Daddy! Mommy! I don't feel good!"

The lust vanished from Desmond's eyes. He sprinted to the door and flung it open.

"Lila? What's wrong?"

Lila was curled into a ball on the hallway floor, clutching her stomach. She immediately switched to German.

"Daddy, I'm faking the stomach ache so we can leave."

"You promised you'd take me to see Auntie Linnette today. That's the only reason I did this"

She didn't even try to whisper. Her eyes were brimming with fake tears.

I had never realized what a brilliant actress my daughter was. If I hadn't understood her, I would have been frantic with worry.

Desmond processed her words instantly. He put on a show of extreme distress.

"Don't be scared, princess. Daddy's taking you to the hospital."

He scooped her up in his arms and glanced back at me.

"Stay here and wait for us. We'll be back soon."

Lila peered over his shoulder, looking at me with a pouting face.

"Mommy"

I walked over and gently brushed a strand of hair from her forehead. My voice was eerily soft.

"Don't worry, baby. Mommy will be right here waiting."

Her eyes lit up for a fraction of a second before she resumed her whimpering as Desmond carried her out.

A few minutes later, I looked out the window. I saw Lila jumping for joy as she walked toward the car, holding Desmond's hand.

There was no sign of a sick, hurting child.

I pulled back from the window and bit my lip so hard I tasted blood, refusing to let a single sob escape.

I knew they weren't coming back tonight.

I forced myself to stay rational. I sat at my laptop and contacted the embassy to start my visa process for Germany.

Because I had maintained my dual citizenship paperwork over the years, the reply was swift.

As long as I brought the right documents, I could leave in about two weeks.

After confirming the details, I closed the laptop. I caught my reflection in the vanity mirror and forced a smile.

"Only two weeks until you go home. Be happy."

Chapter 3

Neither the father nor the daughter showed their faces the next morning.

I finally received a text from Desmond around noon.

"Amara, Lila's stomach is still bothering her. The doctor wants to keep her for observation. We'll be home tomorrow."

He attached a photo of Lila sitting in a hospital chair.

I noticed a tiny smear of chocolate frosting at the corner of her mouth. I remembered clearly that her face was clean when they left.

They couldn't even get their lies straight.

I didn't bother replying. I grabbed my bag and headed to the embassy.

As I walked out the door, my eyes fell on the bracelet on my wrist.

It was a limited-edition piece from a high-end designer. It was only available in person at a boutique in Berlin.

Desmond had supposedly flown there and waited in line for eight hours just to get it for me.

At the time, I thought I was the luckiest woman on earth.

Now, it felt like a shackle.

I unclasped the bracelet and dropped it into a trash can on the street corner without a second thought.

By a cruel twist of fate, I ran into them right outside the embassy.

All three of us froze. Desmond and Lila looked like they had seen a ghost.

"Amara? What are you doing here?"

I tucked my paperwork into my bag, my face an emotionless mask.

"Just handling some things. I have a business trip to Germany coming up."

A flicker of panic crossed his eyes, but he tried to play it cool.

"But your German isn't that great, is it?"

I tilted my head and gave him a sugary, fake smile.

"That's why I'll need you to teach me some phrases before I go."

He visibly relaxed and jogged over to take my hand.

"That's my girl. Come on, let's go home together."

Lila, holding a shopping bag, grabbed my other hand with a bright, sunny grin.

"Yay! I know a little bit too. I'll help teach Mommy!"

They were laughing, flanking me like a perfect, happy family.

I couldn't even manage a fake smile. A cold dread was spreading through my chest.

The embassy was nowhere near our house, and even further from the hospital.

The only explanation was that Linnette lived nearby.

The air around them reeked of a heavy, floral perfume. It was so cloying I started coughing.

Desmond immediately looked concerned. "What's wrong?"

I pulled a face mask out of my bag and snapped it on.

"The perfume on you two is making my nose burn."

I have chronic allergies. Usually, they were careful never to use strong scents around me.

Their faces paled instantly.

Desmond scrambled for an excuse.

"It must be the scent from the patient in the bed next to Lila. It got on our clothes."

Lila let go of my hand and scurried over to Desmond's side.

"If I'm making Mommy sick, I'll just stay away from her."

She was young, and she couldn't quite hide the spark of joy in her eyes at the excuse to distance herself.

I didn't try to win her back. I just gave a curt nod.

Lila blinked, clearly stunned that I hadn't chased after her.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the father and daughter exchange a confused, uneasy glance.

When we got home, Lila pulled a designer handbag out of a bag and held it out to me.

"Look, Mommy! Daddy and I spent forever picking this out for you!"

This was their routine. Whenever Desmond sensed I was unhappy, he'd buy his way back into my good graces.

This was a bag I had mentioned wanting months ago.

Both of them watched me with bated breath, waiting for my reaction.

I sighed and took the bag, offering a faint smile.

"I love it. Thank you."

Maybe they thought they had successfully bribed my suspicion away.

Desmond's eyes lit up. He hovered around me like a devoted puppy.

"I'm so glad! What do you want for lunch? I'll make anything."

Lila piped up immediately.

"I want honey-glazed ribs!"

Desmond scooped her up and brought her close to me.

"We have to ask Mommy first. What do you think, honey?"

I clutched the expensive bag and nodded.

"Whatever Lila wants is fine with me."

"Awesome! Thanks, Mommy!"

Lila dragged Desmond toward the kitchen by his hand.

"Hurry up, Daddy! Cook!"

I watched them, feeling the knot in my heart tighten.

I sat on the sofa and opened my laptop to pretend to work.

Suddenly, a friend request popped up on my phone.

The profile picture was a cute, professional-looking woman. I accepted it without thinking.

A message flashed across the screen instantly.

"So, do you like the bag I picked out for you?"

Chapter 4

I knew instantly who it was. Linnette was marking her territory.

In that moment, I wanted to slap myself.

I had actually felt a moment of weakness, wondering if I should stay and try to fix this broken family.

But a piece of trash is still trash, even if you wrap it in designer labels.

I didn't reply. Linnette didn't care. She sent another photo.

It was a Live Photo of her and Desmond drinking from the same straw.

In the reflection of the glass, I could see Lila holding the phone. The audio captured her high-pitched giggle.

"Mommy Linnette and Daddy look so good together!"

Linnette followed up with a text.

"Don't our couple photos look great? I have plenty more."

I flipped my phone face down on the table. A wave of nausea hit me so hard I started gagging.

It was repulsive.

I leaned over the coffee table, dry-heaving into the trash can.

Rushing footsteps approached. Desmond was behind me, rubbing my back with frantic hands.

"Amara! What's wrong? Talk to me!"

I couldn't stop gagging, even though nothing came up. I stood up, trembling.

"Maybe the breakfast I had earlier was too greasy."

Lila appeared with a glass of lukewarm water.

"Here, Mommy. Drink some water."

I looked at the glass, and all I could see was that photo of them sharing a drink.

I lashed out, knocking the glass out of her hand. I went back to retching into the bin.

Water splashed all over Lila's dress. She stared at her wet clothes, her lip trembling before she let out a piercing scream.

"I hate you, Mommy!"

"Why do I always have to suck up to you? Mommy Linnette actually spoils me! You aren't even half as good as her!"

She was hysterical.

She was just a kid, and in her meltdown, she had completely forgotten the script.

Desmond's face went white.

"Lila!"

I gripped my daughter's arm and asked quietly.

"Who is Mommy Linnette?"

Lila was sobbing uncontrollably. I knelt down and looked into her eyes.

I looked at the child I had carried for nine months and nearly died giving birth to. She felt like a total stranger.

When she was a toddler and liked to draw, I spent half my salary to build her a private art studio.

She loved bedtime stories, so no matter how exhausted I was, I found a new one for her every single night.

She had a sensitive stomach, so I spent years researching recipes to make sure she was healthy.

I thought I had raised a compassionate child. I thought she comforted me because she loved me.

"So, in your heart, I've just been a burden to you?"

Desmond cut in desperately.

"No! She's just talking nonsense!"

"Mommy Linnette was just a character from a play at her preschool! Right, Lila? Tell Mommy!"

But Lila was too far gone. She was having a full-blown tantrum.

She shoved my hand away and screamed at the top of her lungs.

"I'm telling the truth! I hate her!"

"Daddy, you promised me after my birthday that I'd get a new mommy! I don't want to wait anymore!"

Desmond lunged forward and covered her mouth.

"Stop it! You don't know what you're saying!"

He hoisted her into the air and started walking toward her bedroom.

"She's just overtired. She needs a nap."

I stood up slowly and grabbed the hem of his shirt.

"If she wants a new mommy so badly, I'll give her what she wants."

Desmond stopped dead. He looked truly terrified for the first time.

"Amara, don't say that. I can't live without you"

"Let me just put her in her room. Wait for me!"

He sprinted down the hall with Lila, keeping his hand firmly over her mouth.

I collapsed onto the sofa, all my strength leaving me.

The urge to just blow everything up and scream the truth at them faded.

I realized that if I confronted him now, he might lock me in this house. He wouldn't let me go.

I knew Desmond. He had a sick, possessive streak. Even if he preferred Linnette, he wanted to keep me as his trophy wife.

A few minutes later, Desmond sat beside me and took my hand.

"Amara, please don't be mad."

"You know she's only seven. She probably heard some mean kids talking at school."

"I'll have a long talk with her when she wakes up. I promise."

He gripped my hand until it hurt.

"You were just talking out of anger, right? You aren't leaving?"

There was a dark, obsessive glint in his eyes that made my skin crawl.

I realized I was in a dangerous game.

I forced a deep breath and let out a shaky laugh.

"You're right. I was just so hurt by what she said."

He let out a massive sigh of relief.

For the next few days, Desmond was like a shadow. He wouldn't let me out of his sight.

Lila was clearly miserable, but Desmond must have threatened her, because she tried to force smiles whenever I looked at her.

I acted as if everything was normal.

Usually, they were out of the house every other day.

Now, Desmond even did his work from the home office just to stay near me.

His phone buzzed constantly. Lila's eyes would light up every time it rang.

I knew that specific ringtone belonged to Linnette.

But Desmond would glance at it and immediately reject the call.

"Just a spam caller from a rival company," he would lie.

Because of his constant hovering, I couldn't even pack my bags.

I only had one week left before my flight.